Cornish Language Revival Strengthens - Wales Hailed as Inspiration

This week has seen multiple news reports on dramatic gains for the Cornish Language in Helston.  Councillor Martine Knight of Helston has been characterised in news accounts as an emerging champion of the Cornish tongue.

The website "thisiscornwall" gives us the following: "Town councillors in Helston are helping to keep the Cornish language alive after backing calls to use more Kernewek (Cornish Language) during Council business."  Councillor Martine Knight, affectionately known as Mammwynne (Cornish for Grandmother) by her former students and her own gradnchildren, has emerged as a champion of the Cornish tongue. "The former secretary of the Helston Old Cornwall Society, praised the folk of Wales and their use of the native language, which is taught in schools, adding 'They (Wales) have come a long way and it would be lovely to think we could do the same."  

The website"thisisthewestcountry" describes the growing presence of the native tongue throughout the historical nation of Cornwall in citing similar actions taken recently: "The policy she (Martine Knight) was promoting has been adopted by several other councils and includes encouraging, where appropriate, the use of the tongue in naming streets and providing bi-lingual signs and other public information where practicable." 

http://www.thisisthewestcountry.co.uk/news/cornwall_news/10586360.Helston_council_to_promote_Cornish_language/

http://www.falmouthpacket.co.uk/news/10586360.Helston_council_to_promote_Cornish_language/

http://www.thisisthewestcountry.co.uk/news/cornwall_news/10586360.Helston_council_to_promote_Cornish_language/