Kernewek - The Cornish Language
Kernewek is a sister language to Breton and Welsh and closely related to the Gaelic languages of The Isle of Man, Ireland and Scotland.
As well as a tool for communication, language plays an important in our cultural identity, history and traditions.
A little over 7000 languages are spoken in the world today and around a third of these are endangered, with less than 1000 remaining speakers. We are fortunate that Cornish has a growing number of speakers but it remains important for all of us to engage with the language at whatever level we are comfortable with.
Lowender Peran is your opportunity for conversations or simple greetings and perhaps join in with a few songs in Cornish.
Cornish Phrases - Learn Cornish/Kernewek
FESTIVAL PHRASES / LAVAROW AN GOOL
Kernewek (Cornish) Sowsnek (English)
Dydh Da! Hello!
Pandr'a vynn'ta eva? What would you like to drink?
Korev / Gwin (rudh/gwynn) / Hwiski / Jynevra Beer / Wine (red/white) / Whisky / Gin
A vynn’ta donsya genev? Mynnav mar pleg / Na vynnav, meur ras Do you want to dance with me? Yes please / No, thank you
Da yw genev an ton/kan na, pyth yw y hanow? I like that tune/song, what’s it called?
My a gar dehen rew! I love ice cream!
Pyth yw an gwella blas dehen rew dhis? Choklet / Sevi / Menta / Karamel yw... What is your favourite flavour ice cream? It’s... Chocolate / Strawberry / Mint / Caramel Dha weles (sg.) /
Agas gweles (pl.) Goodbye
Singing session are one of the easiest ways of engaging with Kernewek even if you have little knowledge of the language. See some of Lowender Peran’s videos below.
Levow Lowender - Festival Voices - 2016
We are delighted to be able to bring you these videos to help you sing a bit of Cornish! You can watch the videos and have a singalong.
We have provided the words to download here. We hope you enjoy learning some Cornish!
To find out more about learning Cornish please go to - https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/leisure-and-culture/the-cornish-language/cornish-language/learning-cornish/
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