Celtic League : Cornish and Manx language not extinct

- Rapport -

Celtic League : Cornish and Manx language not extinct - Unesco told again

The League has written once again to United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) to point out that their 'Red Book' on Endangered Languages still classifies the Cornish and Manx languages as extinct, despite earlier requests for them to change its status in the book. The League's Assistant General Secretary, Mike Chappell, has written to Tapani Salminen from Unesco and Jenefer Lowe from the Cornish Language Partnership to draw their attention

Cathal Ó Luain Par Celtic League le 6/03/08 5:40

The League has written once again to United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) to point out that their 'Red Book' on Endangered Languages still classifies the Cornish and Manx languages as extinct, despite earlier requests for them to change its status in the book.

The League's Assistant General Secretary, Mike Chappell, has written to Tapani Salminen from Unesco and Jenefer Lowe from the Cornish Language Partnership to draw their attention to the mistake. In his letter to Mr Salminen, the AGS states :

"I am very surprised to note that in this Unesco Year of World Languages that the Celtic Language of Kernow (Cornwall) is listed in the Red Book as an extinct language together with the Celtic Language of another Celtic Country - Mannin (The Isle of Man)."

In reply, Jenefer Lowe commented :

"Thanks for this. I will write officially and we will put it and the fact that we have challenged it into the next newsletter. As 2008 is designated by Unesco as the year of languages, it is particularly important !"

Link:

(voir le site)

The text of the AGS letter can be found below.

"Date: 22nd January, 2008

Tapani Salminen wheag/Dear Tapani Salminen

UNESCO 'RED BOOK' ON ENDANGERED LANGUAGES - UNESCO YEAR OF LANGUAGES 2008

I am writing to you in your capacity as Unesco's Red Book coordinator and on behalf of An Kesunyans Keltek Scoren Kernewek (which is Cornish language for the Cornish Branch of the Celtic League).

I am very surprised to note that in this Unesco Year of World Languages that the Celtic Language of Kernow (Cornwall) is listed in the Red Book as an extinct language together with the Celtic Language of another Celtic Country - Mannin (The Isle of Man).

I understand that the General Secretary of the entire Celtic League, Rhisiart Tal-e-bot, has also written to you regarding this matter and awaits your reply.

Our communications follow a resolution passed at the Celtic League's recent Annual General Meeting which touched upon this very issue.

The Brythonic 'P Celtic' Language of Kernow (Cornwall) and the Goidelic 'Q Celtic' Language of Mannin (The Isle of Man) are far from extinct and due to recent dynamic events are growing in use and stature.

Indeed, in Kernow (Cornwall), a distinctive Celtic Nation, currently part of the United Kingdom, Kernewek (Cornish) has been officially recognised by the Westminster Government since 2002 and a specific Cornish Language Development Officer and a Cornish Language Development Assistant are in post.

Contact details of the officer are as follows:

Jenefer Lowe

Cornish Language Development Manager Dalvenie House Cornwall Council Truro TR1 3AY

website : (voir le site)

The number of Cornish speakers is at it's highest point for many years and indeed there are now those who rightfully claim it as their 'mammyeth' - mother tongue and first language.

Classes are conducted across our little land and through Gorsedd Kernow - The Gorseth of Cornwall, International and sub - National prizes and awards occur for written work in Cornish. Further, many books are available written in the Cornish Language including the New Testament of the Christian Bible.

There are many other issues relating to the language which more than one academic would argue never became fully extinct and which is certainly reflected in many Cornish place names and dialect, and I would respectfully urge you to contact Jenefer Lowe as above for any further information.

I have been given to understand that a similar situation exists in the other Celtic Nation of Mannin (The Isle of Man).

I trust that you did not mind me drawing this matter to your attention and would welcome your acknowledgement of my communication.

Dhiso yn lel/Yours sincerely

Michael J. Chappell An Kesunyans Keltek Scoren Kernewek"

Other Unesco related articles on Celtic News here:

(voir le site) (voir le site)

J B Moffatt Director of Information Celtic League

17/02/08

Voir aussi :

Pour prolonger le Festival interceltique, des artistes cornouaillais et manxois à voir jusqu'au 6 septembre à Lorient par JYLT le 17/08/2015
Dala, Ruth, Russel : des artistes cornouaillais et manxois par FC le 15/08/2015
Les relations avec les autres pays celtiques ont une importance fondamentale pour l'Ile de Man, affirme Phil Gawne, ministre manxois, à l'occasion du Festival Interceltique par JYLT le 07/08/2015
Dico de poche bilingue cornique-anglais par Éditions Yoran Embanner le 06/08/2015
Sur Gwagenn TV on entend du manxois, de l'occitan, de l'anglais et surtout...du breton par Télévision Gwagenn TV le 14/01/2009
Le retour du cornique ou quand le droit prime sur le nombre de locuteurs par Philippe Argouarch le 22/05/2008
Cornwall - 'Historic Moment' in language revival par Celtic League le 20/05/2008
Kernow : Devonwall police - committed to Cornish language & Cornwall ? par Celtic League le 15/05/2008

The Celtic League has branches in the six Celtic Countries. It works to promote cooperation between these countries and campaigns on a broad range of political, cultural and environmental matters. It highlights human rights abuse, monitors all military activity and focuses on socio-economic issues. TEL (UK) 01624 877918 MOBILE (UK)07624 491609 (voir le site)

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