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:
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:
J B Moffatt Director of Information Celtic League
17/02/08
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