Getting married in the Cornish Language - KMTU approaches Law Commission

Recently a young couple were upset because they could not have their part of the marriage ceremony conducted in the Cornish Language.

A simple tweet regarding this made headlines and the usual anti Cornish vitriol and shocking nastiness ensued in the comments columns and on social media. We have recorded as much of this hatred as possible as an ongoing example of the insults endured by Cornish people.

'Kernow Matters' arranged to have a bouquet of flowers delivered to the couple to express our best wishes and support.

One of our team immediately contacted the UK Law Commission in writing regarding the matter and reminding them of their obligations under the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities into which the Cornish had been included as a National Minority in 2014 as well as the inclusion of the Cornish Language in to the appropriate Charter in 2002 and 'Kernow Matters' has received the following response dated 31 March 2021:

"Thank you for your email, to which Dan has asked me to reply. I am the research assistant working on the Law Commission’s weddings project.

You may be aware that we recently conducted a public consultation on our provisional proposals for reform of the law governing how and where couples can get married in England and Wales.

Alongside the Consultation Paper, available here ( https://s3-eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/lawcom-prod-storage-11jsxou24uy7q/uploads/2020/09/Weddings-CP-Summary-final-web.pdf ) we have published a shorter summary document, here ( https://s3-eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/lawcom-prod-storage-11jsxou24uy7q/uploads/2020/09/Weddings-CP-Summary-final-web.pdf ) an at-a-glance overview, here ( https://s3-eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/lawcom-prod-storage-11jsxou24uy7q/uploads/2020/09/Weddings_at_a_glance-v4.pdf )

The consultation is now closed, and so we are not able formally to accept any further consultation responses.

However, we would welcome your thoughts on reform as it relates to Cornish people. Please send your comments to weddings@lawcommission.gov.uk as soon as possible, and we will do our best to take them into account as we formulate our final policy recommendations.

We are aware of recent interest in the use of the Cornish language during wedding ceremonies. Under our provisional proposals, the parties would be required to express their consent to be married to each other, but there would be no prescribed form of words.

We consider the issue of translation at paragraphs 6.71 to 6.72 of the Consultation Paper.

We explain that under our proposals, the parties must understand the words they are speaking or the action they are doing to indicate their consent.

Accordingly, under our proposals, if the couple getting married, the two witnesses and the officiant all understood the Cornish language, that language could be used during the wedding ceremony, including when the couple expressed their consent to be married.

Kind regards,

Sam

Sam Hussaini | Law Commission Research Assistant | Property, Family and Trust Law Team

1st Floor, Tower, Post Point 1.52, 52 Queen Anne’s Gate, London, SW1H 9AG (access via 102 Petty France) Email: samuel.hussaini@lawcommission.gov.uk | Web: www.lawcom.gov.uk

As a result of this response from the Law Commission, the following additional communication has been sent by Kernow Matters To Us:

1 Mis Ebrel 2021

Dear Sirs & Mesdames

Marriage ceremony - Cornish language References:

1. Cornish included as a National Minority in to the Framework Convention for the Protection of Nation Minorities by Westminster Government (2014)

2. Cornish language is officially recognised by the UK Government under the European Charter for Regional and Minority Languages and the Framework Convention for National Minorities (2002)

3. Westminster Parliamentary Oaths in Cornish

Links:

1. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/cornish-granted-minority-status-within-the-uk

1. https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/people-and-communities/equality-and-diversity/cornish-national-minority/

2. https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/parks-leisure-and-culture/the-cornish-language/cornish-language/cornish-language-office/

3. https://www.parliament.uk/about/how/elections-and-voting/swearingin/ Recently, a young couple in Cornwall with knowledge of the Cornish language were refused permission to be married in the Cornish language.

A simple tweet regarding this made newspaper headlines in the London print media and the usual anti Cornish vitriol and hatred followed causing huge upset.

We are aware that the Law Commission's Consultation and Report in to the issue has now been completed and published.

However, as Members of Parliament representing constituencies in Cornwall can and do take their Parliamentary Oaths in Cornish, we ask that the anomaly regarding Marriage Vows in Cornish be addressed and made compliant with the International Conventions and Charters which the Westminster Government has signed.

You will be aware that an increasing number of people now speak the Cornish Language and to deny this right on what is one of the most special days in many peoples' lives would appear to be discriminatory.

We thank you for your kind attentions and trust that this matter is addressed without delay.

Dhiso yn lel - Yours sincerely

John, Teresa, Craig, Tony, Matt, Mike, Clive, Ronan, Rob, Alex, Maria,  Lucas & Sophie

Elected Co-ordinators of Kernow Matters.