Cornish Language Secures Historic Protection Status
In a landmark decision for Celtic heritage, the Cornish language is set to be granted the same protected status as Welsh, Irish Gaelic, and Scots Gaelic. The UK government has formally submitted Kernewek for Part III status under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages, affording it the highest level of protection available.
This significant move means that, once ratified, the government will be obligated to actively promote Cornish across key areas of public life. This includes its use within the education system, legal hearings, and administrative proceedings, overseen by the Council of Europe.
A Vital Step for Cornish Identity and Culture
Local leaders have welcomed the announcement with enthusiasm. Leigh Frost, the leader of Cornwall Council, stated, "This is brilliant news for Cornwall. To see Cornish recognised alongside Welsh, Scottish Gaelic and Irish Gaelic is something we can all be extremely proud of." He emphasised that the language is a vital part of the region's identity and that this decision sends a strong message that Cornish matters and deserves the highest level of support.
The push for recognition has been championed by cultural advocates. Dick Cole, chair of the Fifth Nation Working Group, noted that this achievement means Cornish will finally have the same standing as the other Celtic languages of the UK. He called for the government to collaborate with the people of Cornwall to better support and promote the national language, and to build on this status to reflect Cornish nationhood in the UK's governance, including a meaningful devolution settlement.
The Modern Revival of Kernewek
This governmental recognition comes amid a notable cultural resurgence for the Cornish language. Once classified as "extinct" by UNESCO and now listed as "critically endangered," Kernewek is experiencing a revival, particularly among younger generations.
Cornwall Council has reported impressive engagement figures for the 2024-25 period:
- Over one million searches were made using the online Cornish dictionary.
- The Cornish language team received more than 650 requests, translating over 32,000 words—a 22% increase from the previous year.
- More than 200 people sign up for Kernewek classes annually.
- Nearly 6,000 schoolchildren are enrolled in the Go Cornish for Primary Schools programme.
While the 2021 census for England and Wales recorded only 563 people with Cornish as their main language, experts believe the true number of speakers is higher. Cornwall Council estimates that between 2,000 and 5,000 individuals possess basic Cornish language skills, a number that is steadily growing.
The language's profile has also been raised in popular culture. Mercury prize-nominated artist Gwenno Saunders, who creates music entirely in Cornish, has been a vocal proponent for teaching the language more widely to children in the region, inspiring a new generation to connect with this integral part of their heritage.
