Cornish Language Revival Takes Step Forward

The Gorsedh Kernow, an organisation with ancient roots which is a driving force in the protection and promotion of Celtic culture in Cornwall, have announced that a record 55 students have successfully completed the Cornish language examinations. The organization announced a 20% increase over 2015 which is an undeniable sign of the strengthening of the Celtic language revival in Cornwall.

Below is the text of the announcement from the Gorsedh Kernow web site (linked below) where also can be found the full list of this year’s successful candidates.

The Gorsedh Kernow describes its mission as follows: “To maintain the National Celtic spirit of Cornwall…to promote the study and use of the Cornish language, to maintain and nurture links with other Celtic cultures and to provide a forum and encouragement to all who work to further these aims.”

News from Gorsedh Kernow:  

8.8.16 Gorsedh Kernow congratulates successful Cornish language candidates

Gorsedh Kernow has warmly welcomed news of the results from this year’s Cornish language examinations.  KESVA – The Cornish Language Board – set up in 1967 by Gorsedh Kernow and the Federation of Old Cornwall Societies, has announced successful results from the 55 candidates who took their exams in June.

“This is almost 20% up on last year’s number of candidates so despite the immense pressure on everyone’s time there are still lots of people who want to have a go at learning our precious Cornish language, Kernewek,” said Grand Bard of Cornwall Merv Davey, Telynor an Weryn, “ and I would like to say ‘Keslowena dhywgh hwi oll’ which means ‘Congratulations to you all’ in Cornish, you have all worked so hard.”

The results are spread across the four grades of examinations currently offered by the Cornish Language Board and with the largest group of candidates based in Cornwall there is a steadily increasing hope that more people will hear Cornish spoken and want to have a go themselves.

“Kernewek is such a beautiful language,” said Merv Davey, “and a very important part of our shared heritage. We are really proud of all the wonderful teachers and examiners, many of whom are bards of Gorsedh Kernow, who give so much of their own time to help their students learn Cornish.”

The growing attraction of Kernewek as a way of being immersed in true Cornish culture for people outside Cornwall is also apparent, with nearly 25% of successful candidates living in England and overseas.

“There are so many different ways to learn Cornish these days and you don’t have to look very far to find out about classes and learning resources wherever you are,” said Merv Davey.

“Kernewek is such a beautiful language,” said Grand Bard Merv Davey, “and a very important part of our shared heritage. We are really proud of all the wonderful teachers and examiners, many of whom are bards of Gorsedh Kernow, who give so much of their own time to help their students learn Cornish.”

The growing attraction of Kernewek as a way of being immersed in true Cornish culture for people outside Cornwall is also apparent, with nearly 25% of successful candidates living in England and overseas.

“There are so many different ways to learn Cornish these days and you don’t have to look very far to find out about classes and learning resources wherever you are,” said Merv Davey.

Gorsedh Kernow exists to maintain the national Celtic Spirit of Cornwall and to give expression to such spirit, to encourage the study of Cornish history and literature, the Cornish language Kernewek, to foster Cornish art, music, dance and sport and to link with other Celtic countries.

The revival of Gorsedh Kernow in 1928, and the commencement of church services in the Cornish language Kernewek in 1933 greatly encouraged the use of spoken Cornish and this process of familiarisation with the language was quickly followed by new plays, prose, poetry and songs in Cornish.

43 of the successful candidates of the Cornish Language Board examinations are from Cornwall, 8 are from London and 4 are from Europe.  Several of these candidates will be presented with their certificates by the Grand Bard of Cornwall at a special Graduation ceremony in Lys Kernow (Cornwall Council Offices, Truro) later in September.

For more information about the Cornish Language Board please contact Tony Hak, Karer an Yeth, Examinations Secretary, email  apposyans@hotmail.co.uk

For more information about Gorsedh Kernow please contact Delia Brotherton, Myrghwyn Melynor, Communications Officer, Gorsedh Kernow,  email  communications@gorsedhkernow.org.uk

http://gorsedhkernow.org.uk/news.html