MPs asked to give Cornish same status as Welsh

An MP has called on the House of Commons to give the Cornish language Kernewek equal status to other Celtic languages.

Labour MP for South East Cornwall Anna Gelderd delivered her bid to bring in a Cornish Language and Heritage bill in the Commons on Wednesday, which would give Kernewek the same protected status as Breton, Irish, Scottish Gaelic and Welsh.

Ms Gelderd's Ten Minute Rule Bill, which allows MPs to make a case for a new bill, is backed by Cornwall's five other MPs and wants to see Kernewek taught in all local primary schools and used on road signs, place names and public services.

She told MPs a bill would help preserve the language and protect the cultural identity of Cornwall.

The Cornish language was officially recognised as a regional language by the UK government in 2002 under part 2 of the European charter for regional or minority languages.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the bill would see it given part 3 status alongside the other Celtic languages.

Ms Gelderd said her bill would strengthen the UK's commitment to linguistic diversity.

"A GCSE in Cornish once existed, but was discontinued in 1996," she said.

She added learning Cornish must be a "viable, accessible option" for people wanting to "engage with their cultural heritage".

She told the Commons that beyond schools, there must be provision to provide lifelong learning opportunities.

"At present, hundreds of people sign up for Kernewek classes each year, and universities such as Exeter and Cambridge have previously offered Kernewek courses," she said.

"If Welsh and Gaelic can be successfully integrated into higher education, why not Cornish?"

Ms Gelderd said Cornish visibility in public life was crucial for the language to survive.

"Currently, Cornish does not have official status in Cornwall, nor is there any legislative requirement for its promotion," she said.

"However, Cornwall Council has worked hard since 2013 to implement a strategy promoting the language.

"I want to see this work and local efforts strengthened by increasing the use of Cornish in road signs, place names and public services."

She said supporting Cornish in public life was not about excluding English but about embracing bilingualism "as a strength".

Supported by fellow Cornish MPs Jayne Kirkham, Noah Law, Perran Moon, Andrew George and Ben Maguire, Ms Gelderd's bill will be read a second time on 20 June.

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