You only need to look at an OS Explorer map of Cornwall to see how totally indigenous and authentic the Cornish language is. The Tre- Pen- Lan- Chy- Pol- prefixes abound everywhere. I hope one day the Cornish people will become bilingual, and fully revive their beautiful language.
The figure of 500 speakers is from Census records, so that probably represents fluent speakers. It's reckoned that there are another 3,000 who could hold basic conversations in the language.
Although Cornish is not in as strong a position as Welsh I do think Cornwall feels far more different to England than Wales is. There’s something completely magical about the place - surrounded on three sides by the sea. And its traditions, music and culture seem very distinctive and Celtic, whereas we in Wales have had ours regimented and diminished by all the pious religious revivals of the 18th and 19th centuries. Wales is also riven by internal and parochial divisions eg the north/south rivalry. Cornwall, due to its size and vulnerability, seems more unified. I wish the Cornish people pob bendith yn y dyfodol. Your language and national character are so beautiful.
@@iammcwaffles5514 Dydh da. The UK government officially recognized the Cornish people as a distinct Celtic ethnic minority in April 2014. We are now legally protected by the Equality Act 2010. That must help the language. Hope so.
@@paulgavin3603 the Académie Française in short. The French only recognise French as an official language. This is partly to do with having been invaded several times in recent history. I'm not justifying the French attitude, just answering your question.
Cornish was extinct a long time ago, it's remarkable that a small group of people managed to revive it at all. Using old texts, linguistic expertise and help from it's sister language Welsh.
@@cigh7445 It fell out of use around 1800 as a community language but almost immediately, Cornish literature with translations and commentaries from the Middle Cornish period (1200 - 1600) began to be published for academics. By the beginning of the 20th century, the modern revival was under way. There never was a time when Cornish people forgot they had a language. "Extinct" is too harsh a word. Maybe "a bit dormant" is more accurate! As you say, though, it is a remarkable story.
The first lesson in learning any language is to listen to a local person speaking English and understand that their accent is a vestige of the language.
Actually, blame Henry VIII and the later imposition of the English Language prayer book, which led to the English prayer book rebellion of 1549. That heralded the real decline in Cornish. Devon (the larger neighbour) was a participant in the prayer book rebellion as well. Cornwall historically was part of a much larger Devon (Devnant), just modern Devon east of the Tamar, adopted English much earlier, the records of when are sketchy.
@@lunabranwen I'm onboard with Dumnonia. Cornwall (Kernow) was part of the wider Celtic kingdom of Dumnonia (Devnant in old Cornish, Dewnans in Cornish and Devon in English). If history were taught properly in schools, there would be more awareness of the underlying history of Dumnonia! The last king of Dumnonia by the way, was Dungarth (Doniert), died in Cornwall around 875AD, his commemoration stone is Doniert's Stone on Bodmin Moor. From Bodmin, Cornwall.
Me on the second or third day of a Welsh short course: "Dydd da!" Teacher: "I understand that, but it's not Welsh. Is it Gaelic?" Me: "Um... no. I thought it was Welsh." It was at that point that I realised that my grandmother on the other side of the family had spoken a little Cornish. Funnily enough, the first Cornish language correspondence course was based in my home city, and the world's biggest Cornish festival is just a few towns over from where my mother grew up. Meanwhile I grew up with a different Celtic language from my father's side of the family.
@@DoctorCymraeg Yeah, Gaelic's my other language (English/Gaelic bilingual, my Cornish is very limited). Usually on social media I just assume I don't have to explain that because people can see my name. I suppose I knew at the time that "dydh" and "da" were both Welsh words so that wouldn't have helped :)
Welsh is one of the oldest languages in Europe. It evolved from Brythonic, the main language spoken in Wales, England and Southern Scotland when the Romans invaded in 43AD. Welsh began to emerge as a distinctive language sometime between 400 and 700 AD - early Welsh poetry survives from this period. The place names in Cornwall are very similar to Welsh there was probably a huge influence in both of the languages through trade etc as the regions are very close with similar practices such as fishing and farming. Diolch i bawb! Thanks to all.
I put a down payment on a place in Cornwall for next summer. We'll be driving from Germany to Kernow in late July. I have an app on my phone and I'm trying to learn Kernewek. I know I don't need it, but I like languages; it's good for the brain and fights dementia later.
A lot of people are unaware of the fact that the Cornish language was in use as far up as Exeter in past times in fact a lot of place/family names are still in Cornish even here in the South Hams of Devon.
@@Arthagnou Brythonic languages in England, Wales and Cornwall. Goidelic languages were spoken in Ulster and Western Scotland. There were also Irish colonies in Wales and Cornwall briefly and a significant influx of Irish speakers to Brittany.
Cornish an "official language". Not quite accurate. An officially recognized minority language; the way Finland (where i was born) has two official languages, Finnish and Swedish, and several officially recognized minority languages, including at least one Saami language.
No-one. I thought the last Cornish speaker had died recently and the language has gone. What is the point of trying to revive it - all that effort and money that could more usefully be spent on necessities. Before anyone complains - one of my parents regards themselves as Cornish - and they don't speak it either.
To restore and preserve identity, history and culture. Also, what is learned in the revival of this language can be applied to restoring other dead or dying languages of which, there are alot.
Recently? according with the history, miss Pentreath died in 1777 xD but not's the end of the cornish lang. What about the Bodinar family (? in 1800 people still speaking in cornish (.u.)
My maternal Grandmother was 100% Cornish..if I could find a place to learn the language, I would, just as I've learned both German and Swedish to honor and respect my other Grandparents. Why is it important? Because it's our HERITAGE..obviously, not important to YOU..but it IS to many
So because you don’t know anyone who speaks it it’s pointless? Westminster spends more money on stationary every year than on ALL the Celtic languages put together. Stupid comment.
If you could sell one of your Queen's mansions, you could probably feed all the starving children in Bhutan. Fuck off with the financial shit. Cornwall invests money into saving its culture and you spend it on pampering your royal family.
You only need to look at an OS Explorer map of Cornwall to see how totally indigenous and authentic the Cornish language is. The Tre- Pen- Lan- Chy- Pol- prefixes abound everywhere. I hope one day the Cornish people will become bilingual, and fully revive their beautiful language.
The figure of 500 speakers is from Census records, so that probably represents fluent speakers. It's reckoned that there are another 3,000 who could hold basic conversations in the language.
Although Cornish is not in as strong a position as Welsh I do think Cornwall feels far more different to England than Wales is. There’s something completely magical about the place - surrounded on three sides by the sea. And its traditions, music and culture seem very distinctive and Celtic, whereas we in Wales have had ours regimented and diminished by all the pious religious revivals of the 18th and 19th centuries.
Wales is also riven by internal and parochial divisions eg the north/south rivalry. Cornwall, due to its size and vulnerability, seems more unified.
I wish the Cornish people pob bendith yn y dyfodol. Your language and national character are so beautiful.
Si let's unite Cymru (Wales) and make it more Keltic. Cyfarchion o Lydaw
Long live the Cornish People!🌍
A language older than English is only recognised in 2003... Woah. Kernow Rules
@@iammcwaffles5514 Why has the EU not put any pressure on the French Government to promote Breton, then?
@@iammcwaffles5514 Dydh da.
The UK government officially recognized the Cornish people as a distinct Celtic ethnic minority in April 2014. We are now legally protected by the Equality Act 2010. That must help the language. Hope so.
That’s effing England for you. But the same sort of nonsense happens here in the U.S.
@@Louisianish *Looks at name* Oh, right. Cajuns have had it rough.
@@paulgavin3603 the Académie Française in short. The French only recognise French as an official language. This is partly to do with having been invaded several times in recent history. I'm not justifying the French attitude, just answering your question.
This is quite upsetting how we’re losing this language we’ve lost so many and knowing this is is a large part of history this video deserved more fame
Cornish was extinct a long time ago, it's remarkable that a small group of people managed to revive it at all. Using old texts, linguistic expertise and help from it's sister language Welsh.
@@cigh7445 It fell out of use around 1800 as a community language but almost immediately, Cornish literature with translations and commentaries from the Middle Cornish period (1200 - 1600) began to be published for academics. By the beginning of the 20th century, the modern revival was under way. There never was a time when Cornish people forgot they had a language. "Extinct" is too harsh a word. Maybe "a bit dormant" is more accurate! As you say, though, it is a remarkable story.
@@cigh7445 Not just Welsh, also Breton.
@@daragildea7434 breton was used to help the cornish revival?
The first lesson in learning any language is to listen to a local person speaking English and understand that their accent is a vestige of the language.
Blame your larger niegbor for it's extinction and decline. Thank God it's coming back
Actually, blame Henry VIII and the later imposition of the English Language prayer book, which led to the English prayer book rebellion of 1549. That heralded the real decline in Cornish. Devon (the larger neighbour) was a participant in the prayer book rebellion as well. Cornwall historically was part of a much larger Devon (Devnant), just modern Devon east of the Tamar, adopted English much earlier, the records of when are sketchy.
@@kernowforester811 and Dumnonia kingdom. 👍
@@lunabranwen I'm onboard with Dumnonia. Cornwall (Kernow) was part of the wider Celtic kingdom of Dumnonia (Devnant in old Cornish, Dewnans in Cornish and Devon in English). If history were taught properly in schools, there would be more awareness of the underlying history of Dumnonia! The last king of Dumnonia by the way, was Dungarth (Doniert), died in Cornwall around 875AD, his commemoration stone is Doniert's Stone on Bodmin Moor. From Bodmin, Cornwall.
@@kernowforester811 yes and Kernow should be recognized on the same level as Cymru. Not a county
And I can see that man is also trying to bring back the Tri-Corn hat
Me on the second or third day of a Welsh short course: "Dydd da!"
Teacher: "I understand that, but it's not Welsh. Is it Gaelic?"
Me: "Um... no. I thought it was Welsh."
It was at that point that I realised that my grandmother on the other side of the family had spoken a little Cornish.
Funnily enough, the first Cornish language correspondence course was based in my home city, and the world's biggest Cornish festival is just a few towns over from where my mother grew up. Meanwhile I grew up with a different Celtic language from my father's side of the family.
hahaha, Dydh da! fatla genes (? i think cornish (kernowek) it's easy in comp. to irish (gaelge) or welsh (cymru) sa, slán!
Who was your grandmother? Lol
You can say DYDD DA in Welsh too, but it’s rare. Definitely not Gaelic; that’s LATHA MATH
@@DoctorCymraeg Yeah, Gaelic's my other language (English/Gaelic bilingual, my Cornish is very limited). Usually on social media I just assume I don't have to explain that because people can see my name. I suppose I knew at the time that "dydh" and "da" were both Welsh words so that wouldn't have helped :)
Welsh is one of the oldest languages in Europe.
It evolved from Brythonic, the main language spoken in Wales, England and Southern Scotland when the Romans invaded in 43AD. Welsh began to emerge as a distinctive language sometime between 400 and 700 AD - early Welsh poetry survives from this period. The place names in Cornwall are very similar to Welsh there was probably a huge influence in both of the languages through trade etc as the regions are very close with similar practices such as fishing and farming. Diolch i bawb! Thanks to all.
"About 900,000..." XD
Maith thú, you last ten sentences sum up the real meaning of learning and preserving the Celtic languages
I put a down payment on a place in Cornwall for next summer. We'll be driving from Germany to Kernow in late July. I have an app on my phone and I'm trying to learn Kernewek. I know I don't need it, but I like languages; it's good for the brain and fights dementia later.
I say a lot words from Cornish language but I can’t speak it just goes into what I’m speaking
Who is that phenomenal singer? Love his voice and BEAUT Cornish pronunciation.
Ah - found it - The Changing room! Meur ras!
Buhez hir d'ar yezh kozh - bywyd hyr an yeth coth !
English translation; Long life to this ancient language!
Beautiful video!! Thankyou!
A lot of people are unaware of the fact that the Cornish language was in use as far up as Exeter in past times in fact a lot of place/family names are still in Cornish even here in the South Hams of Devon.
I believe Gallic languages were dominant in the UK until the 8th century.
@@Arthagnou Brythonic languages in England, Wales and Cornwall. Goidelic languages were spoken in Ulster and Western Scotland. There were also Irish colonies in Wales and Cornwall briefly and a significant influx of Irish speakers to Brittany.
@@timflatus It sure would have been interesting to see the ebb and flow of the languages during that post roman period
1:58 "Cornwall is a fairly large city"...??? Americans...lol
Last speaker died in the 18th century. What they try to speak today sounds so english too me...I speak Breton and Cymraeg (Welsh)
Wait...wait ? Whi is that band playing in the beginning? I need that.
Anyone got a name ?
I dont know why they were laughing as they gave the numbers, they find it comical that their culture and language is being killed
Perhaps, Because it was zero 100 years ago. It is being brought back, or it was a nervous type of laugh.
Not "being" it died already. Zero native speakers.
Cornish an "official language". Not quite accurate. An officially recognized minority language; the way Finland (where i was born) has two official languages, Finnish and Swedish, and several officially recognized minority languages, including at least one Saami language.
To save the language you need to have a few erotic and porn films.
Gwir eo !
Sounds like Simlish
No-one. I thought the last Cornish speaker had died recently and the language has gone. What is the point of trying to revive it - all that effort and money that could more usefully be spent on necessities. Before anyone complains - one of my parents regards themselves as Cornish - and they don't speak it either.
To restore and preserve identity, history and culture. Also, what is learned in the revival of this language can be applied to restoring other dead or dying languages of which, there are alot.
Recently? according with the history, miss Pentreath died in 1777 xD but not's the end of the cornish lang. What about the Bodinar family (? in 1800 people still speaking in cornish (.u.)
My maternal Grandmother was 100% Cornish..if I could find a place to learn the language, I would, just as I've learned both German and Swedish to honor and respect my other Grandparents. Why is it important? Because it's our HERITAGE..obviously, not important to YOU..but it IS to many
So because you don’t know anyone who speaks it it’s pointless? Westminster spends more money on stationary every year than on ALL the Celtic languages put together. Stupid comment.
If you could sell one of your Queen's mansions, you could probably feed all the starving children in Bhutan. Fuck off with the financial shit. Cornwall invests money into saving its culture and you spend it on pampering your royal family.
Cornwall is an english county. Deal with it. People seek more division.
Cornwall is not english. YOU deal with it. Kernow bys vyken koeg
Kae da sutal. Bevet Kernow Dieub.
Fake and gay. Cornwall is a country.