The language of Cornwall

Over the years things change and peoples habits change as well as the way in which we do things. Language is no expectation to this rule and we have seen language in the UK evolve over time.
The introduction of cockney rhyming slang is just one example of how things have changed and now with the introduction of text language that is used by individuals that rely upon abbreviations and numbers it become interesting to see which way the language may develop in the future.
Yet with all this evolution in the languages we inevitable see the loss of more rural dialect. For example the Cornish language (Kernewek) is a descendant of Kernow which was the early language spoke by the Celtic settlers that resided there.

The Gorsedd of Cornwall (Gorsedh Kernow) and the federation of Old Cornwall Societies established Kesva an Taves Kernewek (The Cornish Language Board). This was set up to promote the study and use of the Cornish language. Due to the success and interest generated by the work that was done, 1979 saw Kevsa an Taves Kernewek launch Kowethas an Yeth Kernewek (The Cornish Language Fellowship).

Although there is a few amount of people that speak the Cornish language there is still a desire for some to learn the language and use it in everyday life to keep the language alive.

There is still a fair amount of the Cornish language around to read if you are interested, particularly around the time of the middle Cornish period. As for documents about the latter part of the Cornish language, the information available is mainly comprised of poetry, letters and songs.
1200 saw the language of Cornwall spoke by most of the people that resided there. Yet by the 1600s the languages had mainly shifted to the area of West Bodmin. The next hundred years saw the language fade away in the areas to the east of Truro. Once the last monoglot speaker (a woman called Dolly Pentreath) died the language became confined to the areas of West Penwith.
Rumours have it that the language died out, yet this was just that, a rumour. As less and less people used the language a revival had begun.

This article was written by Tom Sangers on behalf of West Cornwall Cottage Holidays who offer Cottage Holidays in Cornwall and Self Catering Holiday Cottage Cornwall accommodation.