The paper gives an overview of the history and current status of the Cornish language. The Cornish language or Kernewek, a language with a long history, although considered dead since 1891, has supporters willing to fight for its revival, trying to overcome the problematic areas of the language, mainly due to the time-gap of its use and also trying to promote it and increase its use in current times. Cornish tightly related to the Cornwall people’s history, is a part of their heritage and a symbol of their identity and as such, Cornish people try not only to preserve it but also to reinstate it as a community language.
Table of Contents
- The Cornish Language: History and Revival Attempts
- Early Stages and Standardization Efforts
- Institutionalization and Modern Developments
Objectives and Key Themes
This text aims to provide a historical overview of the Cornish language, focusing on its decline, the efforts undertaken for its revival, and its current status. The text analyzes the challenges faced in standardizing the language and the role of various organizations in its promotion. The narrative also explores the cultural and political significance of the language for the Cornish people.
- The historical trajectory of the Cornish language, from its emergence to its decline and subsequent revival attempts.
- The challenges associated with standardizing the Cornish language, including orthographic debates and the development of dictionaries.
- The role of various organizations and individuals in the Cornish language revival movement.
- The current status of the Cornish language and its use in contemporary Cornish society.
- The cultural and political significance of the Cornish language for Cornish identity and national minority status within the UK.
Chapter Summaries
The Cornish Language: History and Revival Attempts: This section details the rich history of the Cornish language, its close ties to Breton, and the significant decline it suffered with the rise of English. It outlines the five distinct periods of the language's development, highlighting the lack of written records in its early stages and the impact of English dominance on its eventual decline in the 19th century. The chapter emphasizes the transition from a focus solely on preserving the historical value of Cornish to active efforts for its revival, setting the stage for the later chapters detailing these efforts.
Early Stages and Standardization Efforts: This chapter focuses on the pivotal role of individuals like Henry Jenner and Morton Nance in the early 20th-century revival efforts. It describes the difficulties in establishing a standardized spelling for the language, the emergence of different orthographies (Unified Cornish, Common Cornish), and the eventual adoption of a Standard Written Form in 2008. The chapter also highlights the development of Cornish dictionaries, emphasizing the ongoing efforts to create a complete and comprehensive resource. The complexities of standardizing a language with a long period of disuse are extensively examined, revealing the challenges involved in balancing historical accuracy with practical usage.
Institutionalization and Modern Developments: This section discusses the establishment of various organizations dedicated to the revival of Cornish, such as the Federation of Old Cornwall Societies, Gorsedh Kernow, and the Cornish Language Board. The chapter analyzes the initial lack of coordination among these organizations and the eventual progress toward a unified approach, culminating in the UK government's recognition of Cornish as a British minority language in 2002. The role of the Cornish Language Partnership (Maga Kernow) in implementing the Cornish Language Development Strategy is also highlighted, showcasing the impact of both governmental and community-based initiatives on the language's revival. The chapter concludes by addressing the current usage of Cornish, its presence in education and media, and the ongoing efforts to increase its everyday use.
Keywords
Cornish language, language revival, language standardization, minority language, Cornish identity, cultural heritage, Henry Jenner, Morton Nance, Unified Cornish, Common Cornish, Standard Written Form, Gorsedh Kernow, Cornish Language Board, Maga Kernow, British minority language, European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Overview of the Cornish Language
What is the purpose of this text?
This text provides a historical overview of the Cornish language, focusing on its decline, revival efforts, and current status. It analyzes the challenges of standardization and the roles of various organizations in its promotion, exploring the cultural and political significance of the language for the Cornish people.
What are the key themes explored in this text?
The text explores the historical trajectory of the Cornish language, challenges in standardization (including orthographic debates and dictionary development), the roles of organizations and individuals in the revival movement, the language's current status and use in contemporary society, and its cultural and political significance for Cornish identity and minority status within the UK.
What historical periods of the Cornish language are discussed?
The text covers the entire history of the Cornish language, from its emergence and close ties to Breton, through its decline with the rise of English, highlighting five distinct periods of development. It emphasizes the shift from preserving historical value to active revival efforts.
Who were key figures in the Cornish language revival?
Henry Jenner and Morton Nance are highlighted as pivotal figures in the early 20th-century revival efforts. Their contributions to standardization and the development of resources are discussed.
What are the challenges of standardizing the Cornish language?
The text details the difficulties in establishing a standardized spelling, including the emergence of different orthographies like Unified Cornish and Common Cornish, and the eventual adoption of a Standard Written Form in 2008. The complexities of standardizing a language with a long period of disuse, balancing historical accuracy with practical usage, are extensively examined.
What organizations played a role in the Cornish language revival?
The text discusses the Federation of Old Cornwall Societies, Gorsedh Kernow, and the Cornish Language Board, analyzing their initial lack of coordination and eventual progress toward a unified approach. The role of the Cornish Language Partnership (Maga Kernow) in implementing the Cornish Language Development Strategy and the impact of governmental and community-based initiatives are highlighted.
What is the current status of the Cornish language?
The text addresses the current usage of Cornish, its presence in education and media, and ongoing efforts to increase its everyday use. The UK government's recognition of Cornish as a British minority language in 2002 is also noted.
What is the cultural and political significance of the Cornish language?
The text explores the importance of the Cornish language for Cornish identity and its status as a national minority language within the UK. This includes its connection to cultural heritage and the ongoing efforts for its preservation and promotion.
What are the key words associated with this text?
Key words include: Cornish language, language revival, language standardization, minority language, Cornish identity, cultural heritage, Henry Jenner, Morton Nance, Unified Cornish, Common Cornish, Standard Written Form, Gorsedh Kernow, Cornish Language Board, Maga Kernow, British minority language, European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages.
What chapters are included in this text?
The text includes chapters on: The Cornish Language: History and Revival Attempts; Early Stages and Standardization Efforts; and Institutionalization and Modern Developments.
- Quote paper
- Elena Agathokleous (Author), 2018, Cornish in English-speaking Britain, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/995906
