Desky Kernowek
Resources for learners of the Cornish language
Asnodhow rag dyscoryon a'n tavas Kernowek
Vocabulary
ON-LINE HERE: Gerlyver Kescows, 2nd edition, full text, completely revised, 5000 words and phrases for conversation + grammar words + 'outbursts' + place-names, easily browsed, easily searched
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ON-LINE HERE: Kescows Nebes Moy, 2nd edition, supplementary vocabulary classified by topic (work-in-progress, expected complete by Summer 2023)
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ON-LINE HERE: Minimum working vocabulary for those wishing to learn just a little Cornish, or a first step for those aspiring to greater things
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ON-LINE HERE: Unique glossary, Cornish-English, English-Cornish, dedicated specifically to the Covid-19 pandemic
Read MoreWhat's New?
(Common European Framework of Reference Level B1)
Starting 26 January 2023
Contact Us for details
GWELES MAGAZINE
Autumn/Winter issue published 17 December 2022
You can subscribe at
https://www.gweles.com/
THE COLD HEART
Wilhelm Hauff
Translated by Nicholas Williams
Go to Literature page of this website
NEW COURSEBOOK FOR BEGINNERS
Cara Kernowek Book One
Consultation period ends 31 January 2023
https://www.skeulantavas.com/courses-1/cara-kernowek-book-one
GWELES+
ON-LINE CONTENT, NO PAYWALL
Kescows gans Gwenno
Dywrosa Valy Dowr Ron
What's in a Name?
Published 19 October 2022
https://www.gweles.com/
CORNISH-LANGUAGE PODCASTS BY NICHOLAS WILLIAMS
There are now very nearly 400 podcasts to choose from
https://www.skeulantavas.com/audio
KESCOWS NEBES MOY 2ND EDITION
New edition of the companion volume to Gerlyver Kescows - a Cornish Dictionary for Conversation
In development: currently as far as Section 7 Home
https://www.skeulantavas.com/vocabulary/kescows-nebes-moy-2nd-edition-cornish-english-section
QUICK CORNISH 2ND EDITION
Free downloadable course updated
https://www.skeulantavas.com/courses-1/kernowek-qwyck
EXPRESSING THE FUTURE IN CORNISH
Paper delivered by Prof Nicholas Williams at Skians 2022
https://www.skeulantavas.com/academic
WHITE FANG
First Chapters of the Classics
https://www.skeulantavas.com/literature/dans-gwynn
LORNA DOONE
First Chapters of the Classics
https://www.skeulantavas.com/literature/lorna-doone-1
THE VIRGINIAN
First Chapters of the Classics
https://www.skeulantavas.com/literature/den-gwlas-an-werhes
About Us
It is important to realize there are several other approaches to revived Cornish, drawing on the historical sources to strike different balances in matters of grammar and vocabulary. There are alternative spelling systems too, most publicly the Standard Written Form (SWF) favoured by Cornwall Council. Debating the merits of such differences is outside the scope of this site.
The weekly lovinglivingcornish class in Newlyn (Lulyn) has its own website kernoweklulyn.com carrying further compatible material. There is also moderncornish.net, the website of Cussel an Tavas Kernôwek who specialize in applying the later historical sources, and the associated blog Te ha Tesednow. There is a lively magazine Gweles with a majority of its content in Cornish (KS and SWF with traditional graphs). Additional material appears on its website gweles.com where you can subscribe.
Are you a prospective teacher of a class in traditional Cornish? We offer a full Scheme of Work, as well as classroom kit and logistical support. Don't hesitate to get in touch. And whether teacher or student, you can always contact us with questions about traditional Cornish grammar or vocabulary, or with queries about idiom or style.
We are not a commercial website. We are however eager to carry high-quality literature in Cornish, original or translated. We also welcome high-quality podcasts in Cornish. We accept advertising for publications in KS, and for events suitable for learners where Cornish is spoken. Click on Miscellany for our literary / audio and advertising policies.
Events
This class is for complete beginners. Mondays, 19:30, by Zoom. The course is Common European Framework of Reference A1 (Breakthrough), the coursebook is Skeul an Tavas, Standard Cornish edition, available from Amazon UK. Fully compatible with all the podcasts and literature on this website.
This class is for those progressing to Common European Framework of Reference B1 (Lower Intermediate). Thursdays, 19:30, by Zoom. The coursebook is Cara Kernowek Book Three, with lessons available in pdf format while we road-test it. Fully compatible with all the podcasts and literature on this website.
RESCHEDULED FROM 25 JANUARY. This class is for those who are no longer beginners but who would like more practice before moving past the introductory stage. Wednesdays, 19:30, by Zoom. The course is at the level of Common European Framework of Reference A1 (Breakthrough). New joiners welcome at any time. Contact Us to get the joining details.
Audio
Literature
Reading well-written Cornish is one of the best ways to improve your own grasp of the language. You can read Cornish literature for free on this site. Choose an item marked ON-LINE HERE.
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A list of books and other literature currently available
Read MoreDAS KALTE HERZ: Go to An Golon Yêyn below (items are in alphabetical order)
Read MoreWHITE FANG: Go to Dans Gwynn below (items are in alphabetical order)
Read MoreLORNA DOONE: Go to Lorna Doone below (items are in alphabetical order)
Read MoreTHE VIRGINIAN: Go to Den Gwlas an Werhes below (items are in alphabetical order)
Read MoreJules Verne's Le tour du monde en quatre-vingts jours (Around the World in Eighty Days), abridged for young readers
Read MoreON-LINE: George Orwell's Animal Farm, with Cornish-English glossary (instalments from January 2021)
Read MoreThe Holy Bible (Old Testament, New Testament)
Read MoreON-LINE HERE: Hans Christian Andersen's Prinsessen paa Ærten (The Princess and the Pea), with Cornish-English glossary
Read MoreCourses
ON-LINE HERE: New coursebook for beginners: consultation draft published for comment
Read MoreON-LINE HERE: Worksheets and other material for the lessons so far
Read MoreON-LINE HERE: Worksheets and other material for the lessons so far
Read MoreON-LINE HERE: Worksheets and other material
Read MoreON-LINE HERE: Worksheets and other material
Read MoreON-LINE HERE: Newlyn Class, all the worksheets for the on-line lessons, March - June 2021 (with cumulative vocabulary)
Read MoreON-LINE HERE: Newlyn Class, individual worksheets for the on-line lessons, March - June 2021
Read MoreComprehensive self-study course and Support Group materials
Read MoreGrammar
Drills
Playlets
Playlet for use with Skeul an Tavas Lesson 1
Read MorePlaylet for use with Skeul an Tavas Lesson 2
Read MorePlaylet for use with Skeul an Tavas Lesson 4
Read MorePlaylet for use with Skeul an Tavas Lesson 5
Read MorePlaylet for use with Skeul an Tavas Lesson 7
Read MorePlaylet for use with Skeul an Tavas Lesson 8
Read MorePlaylet for use with Skeul an Tavas Lesson 10
Read MorePlaylet for use with Skeul an Tavas Lesson 12
Read MorePuzzles
Simple vocabulary crossword for Skeul an Tavas Part 1 (Lessons 1-6)
Read MoreDon't go to the key until you've attempted the crossword
Read MoreSimple vocabulary crossword for Skeul an Tavas Part 1 (Lessons 1-6)
Read MoreDon't go to the key until you've attempted the crossword
Read MoreSimple vocabulary crossword for Skeul an Tavas Part 1 (Lessons 1-6)
Read MoreDon't go to the key until you've attempted the crossword
Read MoreSimple vocabulary crossword for Skeul an Tavas Part 2 (Lessons 1-12)
Read MoreDon't go to the key until you've attempted the crossword
Read MoreSimple vocabulary crossword for Skeul an Tavas Part 2 (Lessons 1-12)
Read MoreDon't go to the key until you've attempted the crossword
Read MoreStories
ALL ON-LINE HERE
For students of Skeul an Tavas Books 1 & 2
Story for use with Skeul an Tavas Lesson 5
Read MoreStory for use with Skeul an Tavas Lesson 7
Read MoreStory for use with Skeul an Tavas Lesson 15
Read MoreStory for use with Skeul an Tavas Lesson 18
Read MoreWorksheets
ALL ON-LINE HERE
For students of Skeul an Tavas Books 1 & 2
Weekly lesson sheets to accompany on-line meetings of the Newlyn class
Read MoreWorksheet 2 for use with Skeul an Tavas Lesson 2
Read MoreWorksheet 3 for use with Skeul an Tavas Lesson 3
Read MoreWorksheet 4 for use with Skeul an Tavas Lesson 5
Read MoreWorksheet 5 for use with Skeul an Tavas Lesson 5
Read MoreWorksheet 7 for use with Skeul an Tavas Lesson 8
Read MoreWorksheet 8 for use with Skeul an Tavas Lesson 9
Read MoreExams
Academic
A critical edition with translation by Graham Thomas and Nicholas Williams (2007)
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Philip Payton's revised and updated history of Cornwall (2017)
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ON-LINE HERE: Paper by Prof Nicholas Williams (2022)
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A new edition of Henry Jenner's original monograph from 1904, underpinning all subsequent work to revive the Cornish language (2010)
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ON-LINE HERE: Paper by Rod Lyon (2007)
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Two important historical texts, re-edited and translated, together with bilingual review (2020)
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Overview of historical Cornish, and of the early years of revived Cornish, by P. Berresford Ellis (1974)
Read MoreMiscellany
Please read before sending us any communication.
Read MorePlease read before submitting to us any literary work or audio item.
Read MorePlease read before submitting any advertisement to us.
Read MoreA short English-language grammar of Breton
Read MoreObservations on contemporary revived Cornish by former Grand Bard Rod Lyon
Read MoreON-LINE HERE: Diagram showing how Cornish is descended from the ancestor language, Proto-Indo European, spoken in Eastern Europe 5000 years ago
Read MoreThe ground-breaking examination of revived Cornish, first written by Nicholas Williams in 1995 (3rd edition 2006), leading eventually to Kernowek Standard (KS)
Read MoreContact us
- Click on Miscellany for our 'Contact Us' policy.