UNESCO classes Cornish as a language in the ‘process of revitalization’
Last updated: 07/12/2010
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It came as no surprise to those attending the recent Cornish Language Partnership Conference
that the Cornish language is alive and prospering - a view that has
now been officially backed up by UNESCO.
UNESCO has acknowledged that their categorisation of Cornish as
an extinct language was not a true reflection of its status and has
now stated in the UNESCO Atlas:
"UNESCO is pleased to acknowledge that the term ‘extinct’ does
not reflect the current situation for Cornish. This language is now
classified as ‘critically endangered’ and identified as being in
process of revitalization."
Participants from all over Cornwall and beyond attended this
year’s Cornish Language Partnership Conference on 27 November in
Lostwithiel, which was held almost entirely in the Cornish
language, and heard how Cornish language studies have been
introduced in a number of schools with further resources in
production and training initiatives in the pipeline.
Successful projects and promotional activities with a range of
community and youth groups were highlighted, as was the work of the
translation service which has grown in popularity and deals with a
large variety of requests for everything from house names and
wedding speeches to tattoos in Cornish.
The involvement of MAGA with other language communities and
networks, such as the Network for the Promotion of Linguistic
Diversity whose European conference recently highlighted and
praised the work going on in Cornwall, was discussed as well as
work on the language itself with the production of dictionaries and
resources.
Professor Kenneth MacKinnon of Bord na Gaidhlig in Scotland who
attended the conference said, “The Cornish Language Partnership
conference was a most encouraging event. The CLP are to be
very warmly congratulated on getting so much progress for the
language with such slender resources. Since official
recognition a few years ago this progress has increased by leaps
and bounds. It is a very great encouragement that the small
professional leadership has been able to co-ordinate and stimulate
such a substantial volume of voluntary effort. It bodes very well
for the future, and may this very much continue.”
Members of the Partnership also reported on their activities
across the year and the afternoon was given over to discussion
about the future and some of the exciting possibilities that lie
ahead.
Manager of MAGA Jenefer Lowe said: ‘I was delighted to see so
many people coming together for the conference this year The day
was held mainly in Cornish, and we were able to supply simultaneous
translation for the visitors and learners who also attended. The
range of projects and the fluency in the presentations and
questions from the floor showed a language very much alive and
kicking!’
Cornwall Council cabinet member for customer first Joan Symons
said: “I would like to congratulate all those who helped make the
conference such a success on their enthusiasm and commitment.”
Story posted 06 December 2010