Kernewek, the Cornish language, is experiencing a remarkable resurgence. It’s appearing in everyday life in ways that would have been hard to imagine a generation ago - on buses, welcome signs, in pubs and theatres, on the BBC and in a growing number of primary schools. Its presence in BAFTA‑winning films and UK brands reflects a genuine shift in how Kernewek is valued and understood by the world.
Cornish is a beautiful and expressive language, capable of giving communities a strong sense of pride, belonging and connection, while offering powerful authenticity to businesses in competitive markets. It gives Cornwall an international platform, a distinctive voice on a world stage, linked to a wide network of minority languages and cultures across the globe.
Yet despite this growing interest, the language is fragile. Only around 500 people have advanced knowledge of Cornish, with a handful of mother-tongue speakers and a limited number of fluent teachers. As a UK language contributing to the unique character of these islands, Cornish needs a more supportive political framework alongside a shared, sustained vision for its future.
Konsel Kernow would like to know your views on the draft of the Cornish Language Strategy through answering the questions in the survey by 9th June 2026. The responses will inform a final version of the strategy that Konsel Kernow will consider and publish in July 2026. Links to the survey in Kernewek and English are below. Agan Tavas have already responded and a copy of their response can be found below.
Yma an yeth Kernewek ow previ dastardh marthus. Yma owth omdhiskwedhes y’gan bewnans pub dedhyek yn fordhow a via kales dhe dhysmygi nans yw henedh – war gyttrinyow, arwodhyow-dynerghi, yn diwottiow ha gwarivaow, war an BBC hag yn niver owth ynkressya a skolyow kynsa. Hy fresens yn fylmys hag a wayn BAFTA hag yn merkys RU a dhastew chanj gwir a fatel yw Kernewek talvesys ha konvedhys gans an bys.
Yeth teg ha diskwedhek yw Kernewek, hag a yll ri dhe gemenethow omglewans krev a wooth, a longya hag a gevren, ow profya ynwedh gwiryoneth allosek dhe negysyow yn marghasow kesstrivus. Hi a ro dhe Gernow arethva geswlasek, lev diblans war wariva an bys, junyes dhe rosweyth ledan a yethow le-usys ha gonisogethow minoryta a-dreus dhe’n nor.
Byttegyns, spit dhe’n les ma ow kressya, hedor yw an yeth. Nyns eus marnas a-dro dhe 500 tus a’s teves aswonvos avonsys a Gernewek, gans dornas a gowsoryon vammyethek ha niver strothys a dhyskadoryon freth. Avel yeth RU ow kevri orth gnas heb parow an enesow ma, yma edhom dhe Gernewek a framweyth politek moy skodhus, war-barth ha ragwel kevrynnys ha sostenys rag hy thermyn a dheu.
Three options available. Click the relevant image to open the required document.
- in Kernewek
- in English
- English version in plain text.
Link to the survey (Kernewek): https://letstalk.cornwall.gov.uk/cornishlanguage/surveys/cornishlanguagestrategy-kv
Link to the survey (English): https://letstalk.cornwall.gov.uk/cornishlanguage/surveys/cornishlanguagestrategy-ev
Link to Konsel Kernow webpage: https://letstalk.cornwall.gov.uk/cornishlanguage
The Agan Tavas response to the Cornish Language Strategy 2026-2036
Agan Tavas exists to promote the use and study of the Cornish language and of any traditional forms of Cornish speech and spelling which have developed naturally in Cornwall. Please find our response to the Cornwall Cultural Strategy 2026 - 2036, and as a Cornish language group, which is a major part of your strategy's focus, we would hope that our response will be considered as important enough for consideration.
Agan Tavas website: https://agantavas.com/