Cornish Language page of The Cornish Association of Victoria Inc

"The C.A.V. has been active in the Cornish language revival movement for some years. Our 'elder statesman' in the movement is Stephen Amos. Stephen became a language bard in the late 1980's and an active committee member of the association for many years. He counts among his many contributions to the revival movement the translation of an entire book of the old Testament as part of the Cornish Language Board's project to translate the Bible into Cornish.

No prizes for guessing which book of the Old Testament that Stephen chose - the book of Amos!

In more recent times, Stephen Amos has been joined as a language bard at the C.A.V. by Stephen Morey. Stephen Morey is currently completing a thesis on certain minority languages in India and Burma and so his linguistic net is spread very wide. Stephen has, earlier this year (2002) spent time in Cornwall conversing with the most fluent speakers of the language - and has brought back the 'intelligence' so gained for the benefit fo the others in the language group. All the others were suitably awed by recordings of people speaking Cornish as if it were their mother tongue. They now all know what standard they have to aspire to.

In 2001, the two Stephens were joined by a third C.A.V. language bard, Peter Trevorah. His studies were undertaken by correspondence ("Kernewek Dre Lyther") with the assistance of our dear South Australian cousin Jenny, Lillian James and, in the final stages, with the assistance of very learned Ray Edwards of the U.K.

Though deferring to the undoubtedly greater knowledge, experience and fluency of the two Stephens, Peter has not been afraid to put his own plans in place to spread the use of the language - 'with a little help from his friends'.

Peter set up a beginner's class in Cornish, under the aegis of the C.A.V., in July 2001. The first intake was 10 (members only at that stage) and, in June 2002, three of that original intake opted to sit the Grade 1 exam conducted by the Cornish Language Board. Results are still pending but Peter assures us they will all do well.

The students recently presented, at the Bendigo Cornish Festival, what is thought to be the first presentation of Cornish language theatre in Australia. Undoubtedly, a very slight piece, it nevertheless represents the promise of things to come and was greatly appreciated by all those who saw it. (The text of the work, "She Doesn't Like Pasties", is attached.)

Peter is also teaching his children, aged 6 and 9, the rudiments of the language and, he tells us, they seem to use some phrases exceptionally well. (Such as :"Onan moy?" "An diwettha?" - "One more?" "Last one?", when sweets are on offer. Or "Moy ughel!" - "higher!", when pushing the swing. Or "hedhewgh!" - "stop!", when he tries to sing to them.)

Those interested in joining the fortnightly language classes may contact Peter via the association.

Stephen Amos and Peter Trevorah have deposited with the association's library copies of various (published and unpublished) Cornish language manuscripts written by by them. As an example of their work, you may read "Trayturi", a condensed version of a short story by Peter which was commended by the Gorseth Kernow in its 2000 prose competition. He tells us a novel is to follow but we're not holding our breath just yet!"