At Home With Cornish 1

 At Home With Cornish 1

Kernowek en Chei

   This is a new course which aims to introduce children (and their wider families) to the Cornish language, a little at a time, building up a vocabulary based around familiar things and familiar activities. I want everyone to feel at home with speaking Cornish.

   Don't worry that people sometimes argue about spelling or pronunciation. There are variations in Cornish, just as there are in English! It is all the same language. Don't let anyone tell you that what you are doing is wrong. Just enjoy yourself! 

(I have given approximate pronunciations on the assumption that most people will not be familiar with the international phonetic alphabet.)

   The main thing to remember about Cornish spelling is that when you see consonants "dh" together, they represent one sound, like “th” in English "this" and "that". 

   And remember that, when it comes to working, little and often is better than occasional long sessions. Aim for ten new things a day, and you'll be amazed at how the language builds up. As well as lessons there will be little puzzles and other fun activities, such as tongue-twisters and games.

To begin, here are some ways to say "hello" to a friend or family member: 

Lôwena dhis. Joy to you. (sounds like loo-enna theez) 

Ha sos. Hi, pal. (sos sounds like zawz) 

Ha Mamm. Hi Mum. 

Ha Tas. Hi Dad (Tas sounds like Taze) 

If you are being really informal you might just say

Yow! Hi!

Children learn about things by asking questions, so, 

Pandr'ew hebma? What is this? 

(pandr'ew rhymes with boys’ name Andrew, stressing “dr’ew”) 

aval - - - - 

bara - - - - 

cavach - - - - - - 

dehen rew - - - - -   - - - 

Aval ew.              It's an apple. 

Bara ew.             It's bread. 

Cavach ew.        It's (a) cabbage.

Dehen rew ew.  It's (an) ice cream