Key Takeaways
- The Cornish language, also known as Kernewek, is set to receive the same status as Welsh, Irish, and Scottish Gaelic under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages.
- The language has been recommended for Part III status, the highest level of protection available, which requires active promotion by the government in education, courts, administration, media, culture, economic, and social life.
- The recognition is expected to strengthen the language and culture of Cornwall, with implications for language education, governance, and national identity.
- The number of Cornish speakers is estimated to be between 2,000 and 5,000 people, with a growing number of young people taking up lessons and a greater prominence in popular culture.
Introduction to the Cornish Language
The Cornish language, also known as Kernewek, is a Celtic language spoken in Cornwall, a region in the far south-west of England. With only 563 people speaking it as their first language, according to the last census, the language has been classified as "critically endangered" by the Unesco world atlas of languages. However, the language has undergone a revival in recent years, with more young people taking up lessons and a greater prominence in popular culture. The government’s decision to submit the language for greater protections under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages is a significant step towards preserving and promoting the language.
Recognition and Protection
The European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages is a Council of Europe treaty that aims to protect and promote regional and minority languages in Europe. The charter has three parts, with Part III being the highest level of protection available. Languages protected under Part III must be actively promoted by the government in education, courts, administration, media, culture, economic, and social life. The recognition of Cornish as a Part III language means that citizens have the right to use the language in legal hearings and education, and the government must take measures to promote the language in various aspects of public life. Leigh Frost, the leader of Cornwall council, welcomed the news, saying that it sends a strong message that Cornish matters and deserves the highest level of support and protection.
Language Revival and Promotion
The Cornish language has seen a significant revival in recent years, with more people taking up lessons and a greater prominence in popular culture. According to Cornwall council, over a million searches were made using the online Cornish dictionary in 2024-25, and the council’s Cornish language team received over 650 requests, translating more than 32,000 words into Kernewek. This represents a 22% increase from the previous year. Additionally, over 200 people sign up for Kernewek classes each year, and almost 6,000 schoolchildren are enrolled on the Go Cornish for Primary Schools programme. The language has also gained popularity in the music industry, with artists such as Gwenno Saunders, a Mercury prize-nominated Cornish-Welsh singer, writing and performing albums entirely in Kernewek.
Implications and Future Directions
The recognition of Cornish as a Part III language has significant implications for the language and culture of Cornwall. Dick Cole, the chair of the Fifth Nation Working Group, which advocates for Cornish culture, said that the priority must now be for the government to work with the people of Cornwall to better support and promote the national language. He also called for a meaningful devolution settlement to ensure that Cornish nationhood is better reflected in all aspects of the governance of the UK. The recognition is expected to strengthen the language and culture of Cornwall, with potential benefits for language education, governance, and national identity. As the number of Cornish speakers continues to grow, it is likely that the language will play an increasingly important role in the region’s cultural and social life.
Conclusion and Future Prospects
In conclusion, the recognition of Cornish as a Part III language under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages is a significant step towards preserving and promoting the language. With its rich cultural heritage and growing popularity, the Cornish language is an important part of Cornwall’s identity and heritage. As the language continues to evolve and grow, it is likely that it will play an increasingly important role in the region’s cultural and social life. The government’s commitment to promoting the language in education, courts, administration, media, culture, economic, and social life will be crucial in ensuring the long-term survival and development of the language. With the support of the government and the people of Cornwall, the Cornish language is likely to thrive and continue to be an important part of the region’s cultural landscape.
