V Tree
A large V shaped pine tree on the Antony estate near Torpoint...
Seaton Beach
Located at the bottom of the Seaton River valley this sand and shingle beach is popular with families. At low tide it joins up with Downderry around the headland...
Seaton River
The Seaton River as it flows out of the valley and through the village of the same name...
Portwrinkle
Looking down over the one time fishing village of Portwrinkle. In the background is the start of Whitsand Bay as it stretches 4 miles down the Rame Peninsula...
Very many thanks to Jenefer Lowe, Development Manager and Elizabeth Stewart, Administrator of the Cornish Language Partnership for facilitating such a superb conference, to Professor Williams, Dr Deacon , Dr George and Mr Lyon for extremely informative presentations, to chairmen Dan Rogerson MP and Cllr Brooke and to C'C'C for top level input into this major undertaking with the potential for extensive cultural and economic rewards.
I heard also that Rod Lyon's talk simply set the scene for Nicholas Williams' Unified Revised contribution. My little bird tells me that this presentation could have been taken by some to have been a tad on the arrogant side, but aren't we all that way inclined when defending our territory?
I don't really have a personal opinion in regard to a standard form of Cornish for official use, except to say that I want the best form. My Tremogh mole informs me that the series of lectures was pretty informative, especially that given by Professor Williams who was the only professional academic linguist to make a presentation on the day.
I have no idea if a new dictionary is planned, a couple of the 'changes' are already in the 'Gerlyver Kres', however I notice in the article by Kieth Syed in which these 'official' changes are proposed he uses the 'old' forms of vydh and devnydh! Ah, it's all Kernewek to me... perhaps Cornish should be the first language to officially have no officially correct spelling, make spelling tests a thing of the past, full marks all round.
Ken George apparently made one very insightful comment about the four versions, as to which ones were "authentic": no, no, no, and no. All of the versions are only 'best-guesses' taken from different angles, so whether they come from professional academic linguists or not is, to coin a phrase, academic. However much the Standard Cornish is tied down at the start, people will always speak it with accents, or use SC to write and their old form to speak with etc etc so to my mind there is little point in trying to pin down the language to the last vowel sound in one obscure word that no-one ever uses. People using Kemmyn, Unified and Revised can all understand one another, so why not just pick the easiest one to learn as Standard Cornish, let everyone carry on pronouncing words as they do now, and move on?
I think it's insulting to insinuate that the 'leaders' of all of the groups apart from UCR aren't worth listening to as they aren't currently practising linguistic academics. It's quite possible to be highly-capable in a particular field without working in a university.
I wasn't insinuating anything. I was stating a fact - none of the current leaders of the Cornish language factions have relevant academic qualifications in this area, with the exception of Professor Williams.
Williams has a recognised background in linguistics and his opinion in this regard, in my view, carries more weight than the others. However, I admit that he has a vested interest in the outcome and that is why I feel that such an important decision should be made strictly on independent academic linguistic advice and not by those who are hobbyists or who haver vested interests and who are, therefore, biased.
I think it similarly insulting for one to suggest that a standard form of Cornish should be foisted upon future generations, simply because it might be easier to teach, by those who are not qualified to do so!
At this juncture, I have no preference as to which version should be the one chosen for official use. Whether or not it is, as you state, "authentic" or not, is completely irrelevant as we shall never be in a position to know for sure. It surely is not asking too much, therefore, for a form of the language to be selected, or cobbled together if needs be the case, that stands up to the strictest of academic standards.
Knowlegeable 'though these people are, they are not in a position to support their respective orthographies from an academic point of view. One day, Cornish, as required under the Charter, will be required to be a part of the University curriculum. That is where research into the history, the linguistics, the lexicography etc etc will be conducted.
Don't you think that, if the incorrect form is selected now, it will damage the language once university research and study is commenced, especially as comparatively large amounts of public money is likely to have been spent by that time? Best get the academics in right at the start to avoid any such problems in the future.
Whatever the outcome of the proposed, and long overdue, independent and impartial input of academics, I shall support the recommendation, whether it be UCR, KK or Modern.
At least we know that all versions are prepared to submit their orthographies for analysis and we can, at long last, trust that a good decision will soon be made, a decision in which both the amateurs and the academics will have fully participated.
I don't give a fig about "accents" - we are talking about a single written form. Your opinion on vowel sounds is very interesting but it is one which, with a great deal of respect, can be put to the independent experts, to see if it/they stands up to the standards employed by other languages. I'm sorry but, although your point of view is important, you being an amateur with, presumably no recognised linguistic background, should not be in a position to dictate the direction in which policy is taken in regard to such a vitally important matter.
Finally, I didn't insinuate that " the 'leaders' of all of the groups apart from UCR aren't worth listening to as they aren't currently practising linguistic academics". Of course, their points of view are important. These proponents of the various orthographies have been arguing and fighting for 20+ years and have, so far, got nowhere. I for one am no longer prepared to let these people squabble and fight over something which is of fundamental importance to our culture and future generations. That is why I wish those with backgrounds and experience in linguistic matters to come and asist us. If I have a problem with an infection, I go see the doctor. If I have a linguistic problem, guess what? I go see a linguist! Get it?
I am sure that everyone at the Tremogh conference on Saturday was in no doubt about that!
Very well put Hunlef. I really cannot see any flaw in your arguments. I agree that we now have the chance at last to put this matter to rest, and that it should be done by independent Linguists. However I have made several points against Traditional Cornish on personal points of view. I do not think that if this form was chosen that the majority of Cornish Speakers would follow it.
What we have to remember is that when finalised the SWF will be the 'Official' form. That means sooner rather than later it will become the predominant form, and those that speak Cornish now, many will switch because of this. There will be a few who stick rigidly to their own version, but along the line they will become insignificant. They might not like to hear that, but that is what will happen.
I know a few People who are waiting for the SWF to be finalised before they get involved in the Language, obviously they do not want to spend money now only to have to change their material in the near future.
At the risk of becoming a mutual appreciation society, , I completely agree with your comments and the sooner this is sorted out, once and for all, the better.
As for me, well, I don't really have an orthographical preference. I simply want the best outcome for the language and I, and a good many others, are sick and fed up with the petty bickering and squabbling within the so-called language community.
Well-meaning though they undoubtedly are, the likes of the amateur hobbyists, with no academic credentials are in no position to provide me and the vast majority of others wishing to learn the language with a definitive judgement on this issue. They have had over two decades and have failed to sort this matter out. Time for those who know what they are doing to intervene.
Once the job has been done, although I have a very basic knowledge of it at the moment, I shall endeavour to learn my language properly in the months ahead.
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Training to distribute aid boxes
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Pony pair graze conservation area
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Lorry stuck between buildings
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Chapel to host animal blessing service
An animal blessing service is to be held at Tredarvo chapel on Sunday at 3pm, conducted by reverend William Ireland. Anybody is welcome to attend the hour-long service with their pets, and this will be followed by refreshments. Mr Ireland said: "I ...
However much the Standard Cornish is tied down at the start, people will always speak it with accents, or use SC to write and their old form to speak with etc etc so to my mind there is little point in trying to pin down the language to the last vowel sound in one obscure word that no-one ever uses. People using Kemmyn, Unified and Revised can all understand one another, so why not just pick the easiest one to learn as Standard Cornish, let everyone carry on pronouncing words as they do now, and move on?