Kowethas an Yeth Kernewek
Encyclopedia
Kowethas an Yeth Kernewek (The Cornish Language Fellowship)
is a Cornish language
association which exists to promote,
encourage and foster the use of the Cornish language. It is represented on the Cornish Language Partnership
.
Unlike other Cornish language organisations, Kowethas an Yeth
Kernewek recognises the validity of all forms of revived Cornish,
and membership is open to all.
Nevertheless, although its members use all forms of Cornish, the society has long been associated by many with a particular spelling system called Kernewek Kemmyn
. As a result, Kowethas an Yeth Kernewek received a boost in its membership after 1987 when The Cornish Language Board
itself adopted, and declared its support for, Kernewek Kemmyn.
It received a further boost when Paul Dunbar and Ken George
claimed in their book Cornish for the 21st Century, published in 1997, that criticisms of this system were without foundation, as by that time Kernewek Kemmyn was very widely used - a large majority of people sitting examinations in the Cornish language were choosing to be examined in Kernewek Kemmyn.
Kowethas an Yeth Kernewek respects the rights of its members to use whichever form of Cornish they choose, although its written business is conducted in Kernewek Kemmyn because that is the form used by the majority of its members.
Every month the society publishes a Cornish Language magazine
called An Gannas which consists of articles, stories, news,
comment and puzzles. Publishing is an important aspect of the
work of the society. Amongst the variety of materials that have
been produced are books, diaries, stories and language learning
materials. Books with accompanying tapes and CDs are also published
to assist beginners. The society also produces tea-towels, mugs,
car stickers, pens, cards, T-shirts and other items for sale,
all displaying the Cornish language. During the year the society
organises a number of language days, often supported by
Cornish music or dancing, giving Cornish speakers the opportunity
of meeting together in a Cornish speaking environment. Beginners
are, of course, made very welcome too!
For many people the highlight of the year is a fully residential
weekend, the Pennseythun Gernewek, held usually around Easter
time. Cornish speakers of any ability, including complete beginners
are very welcome. Other social activities include guided walks,
Yeth an Werin (a chance for a chat in Kernewek, usually held
in a local pub) and Dydhyow Lowender (fun days where all events
are organised in Cornish). The Kowethas offers a free advice and
information service to any individual or organisation on any aspect
of language including history, study, family and place names,
naming children, streets, houses, boats or pets in Cornish,
translation
and the use of Cornish in business names
and advertising
.
The society is closely associated with the running of Cornish classes
throughout Cornwall
and beyond. It maintains links with a wide
range of other cultural organisations both in Cornwall and beyond,
including language and educational organisations in other Celt
ic
countries. The society is a voluntary body, (charity no. 1065527)
and its funding is raised through grants, membership, sales and
donations.
is a Cornish language
Cornish language
Cornish is a Brythonic Celtic language and a recognised minority language of the United Kingdom. Along with Welsh and Breton, it is directly descended from the ancient British language spoken throughout much of Britain before the English language came to dominate...
association which exists to promote,
encourage and foster the use of the Cornish language. It is represented on the Cornish Language Partnership
Cornish Language Partnership
The Cornish Language Partnership is a representative body that was set up in Cornwall, United Kingdom in 2005 to promote and develop the use of the Cornish language in Cornwall...
.
Unlike other Cornish language organisations, Kowethas an Yeth
Kernewek recognises the validity of all forms of revived Cornish,
and membership is open to all.
Nevertheless, although its members use all forms of Cornish, the society has long been associated by many with a particular spelling system called Kernewek Kemmyn
Kernewek Kemmyn
Kernewek Kemmyn is a variety of the revived Cornish language.Kernewek Kemmyn was developed, mainly by Ken George, from Unified Cornish in 1986. It takes much of its inspiration from medieval sources, particularly Cornish passion plays, as well as Breton and to a lesser extent Welsh...
. As a result, Kowethas an Yeth Kernewek received a boost in its membership after 1987 when The Cornish Language Board
Kesva an Taves Kernewek
Kesva an Taves Kernewek is an organisation that promotes the Cornish language. It was founded in 1967 by Gorseth Kernow and the Federation of Old Cornwall Societies. It is represented on the official language body, the Cornish Language Partnership.It currently has 18 members, 13 elected and 5...
itself adopted, and declared its support for, Kernewek Kemmyn.
It received a further boost when Paul Dunbar and Ken George
Ken George
Kenneth J. George, writing as Ken George, is an oceanographer, poet, and linguist noted as being the originator of Kernewek Kemmyn, an orthography for the Cornish language supporters claimed to be more faithful to Middle Cornish phonology than its precursor . Kernewek Kemmyn was introduced in 1987...
claimed in their book Cornish for the 21st Century, published in 1997, that criticisms of this system were without foundation, as by that time Kernewek Kemmyn was very widely used - a large majority of people sitting examinations in the Cornish language were choosing to be examined in Kernewek Kemmyn.
Kowethas an Yeth Kernewek respects the rights of its members to use whichever form of Cornish they choose, although its written business is conducted in Kernewek Kemmyn because that is the form used by the majority of its members.
Every month the society publishes a Cornish Language magazine
Magazine
Magazines, periodicals, glossies or serials are publications, generally published on a regular schedule, containing a variety of articles. They are generally financed by advertising, by a purchase price, by pre-paid magazine subscriptions, or all three...
called An Gannas which consists of articles, stories, news,
comment and puzzles. Publishing is an important aspect of the
work of the society. Amongst the variety of materials that have
been produced are books, diaries, stories and language learning
materials. Books with accompanying tapes and CDs are also published
to assist beginners. The society also produces tea-towels, mugs,
car stickers, pens, cards, T-shirts and other items for sale,
all displaying the Cornish language. During the year the society
organises a number of language days, often supported by
Cornish music or dancing, giving Cornish speakers the opportunity
of meeting together in a Cornish speaking environment. Beginners
are, of course, made very welcome too!
For many people the highlight of the year is a fully residential
weekend, the Pennseythun Gernewek, held usually around Easter
Easter
Easter is the central feast in the Christian liturgical year. According to the Canonical gospels, Jesus rose from the dead on the third day after his crucifixion. His resurrection is celebrated on Easter Day or Easter Sunday...
time. Cornish speakers of any ability, including complete beginners
are very welcome. Other social activities include guided walks,
Yeth an Werin (a chance for a chat in Kernewek, usually held
in a local pub) and Dydhyow Lowender (fun days where all events
are organised in Cornish). The Kowethas offers a free advice and
information service to any individual or organisation on any aspect
of language including history, study, family and place names,
naming children, streets, houses, boats or pets in Cornish,
translation
Translation
Translation is the communication of the meaning of a source-language text by means of an equivalent target-language text. Whereas interpreting undoubtedly antedates writing, translation began only after the appearance of written literature; there exist partial translations of the Sumerian Epic of...
and the use of Cornish in business names
and advertising
Advertising
Advertising is a form of communication used to persuade an audience to take some action with respect to products, ideas, or services. Most commonly, the desired result is to drive consumer behavior with respect to a commercial offering, although political and ideological advertising is also common...
.
The society is closely associated with the running of Cornish classes
throughout Cornwall
Cornwall
Cornwall is a unitary authority and ceremonial county of England, within the United Kingdom. It is bordered to the north and west by the Celtic Sea, to the south by the English Channel, and to the east by the county of Devon, over the River Tamar. Cornwall has a population of , and covers an area of...
and beyond. It maintains links with a wide
range of other cultural organisations both in Cornwall and beyond,
including language and educational organisations in other Celt
Celt
The Celts were a diverse group of tribal societies in Iron Age and Roman-era Europe who spoke Celtic languages.The earliest archaeological culture commonly accepted as Celtic, or rather Proto-Celtic, was the central European Hallstatt culture , named for the rich grave finds in Hallstatt, Austria....
ic
countries. The society is a voluntary body, (charity no. 1065527)
and its funding is raised through grants, membership, sales and
donations.