Kernewek

Kernewek, also known as Cornish, is a Brythonic Celtic language historically spoken in Cornwall, in the southwestern part of Great Britain. The native term Kernewek is used by speakers for the language. It is part of the Brittonic branch that includes Welsh and Breton, and represents the linguistic heritage of Cornwall from medieval times onward.

From the 15th to the 18th century, the use of Kernewek declined as English became dominant in most public and social life. In the 19th and 20th centuries, revival efforts began, led by scholars such as Henry Jenner and Robert Morton Nance, who produced primers and standard texts and promoted teaching. Since then, Kernewek has been taught, published, and used in cultural activities, media, and education.

Several orthographies exist for Kernewek. The main systems include Unified Cornish (UC), Kernowek Kemmyn (KK), and the Standard Written Form (SWF), a compromise introduced to facilitate communication among learners and communities. While not universally adopted, these scripts enable modern writing, literature, and broadcasting.

Status and usage: Kernewek is regarded as a revived minority language. It is recognized under international and UK minority language protections and receives support from cultural organizations and language partnerships in Cornwall. It is taught in voluntary classes, some schools, and is featured in local media and public events.

Geography and speakers: The strongest concentration of speakers is in Cornwall, with additional learners elsewhere in the United Kingdom and abroad. Exact speaker numbers vary by source; estimates put the number of fluent speakers in the low thousands or fewer, with many more individuals learning or recalling some knowledge of Kernewek.