YETHOW PERYLLYS \ Endangered LanguagesSimply put, an endangered language is one that is at risk of falling out of common use as its speakers die out or adopt an alternative language.
When no more native speakers exist, the language becomes ‘dead’ and when no one speaks the language at all it becomes ‘extinct’. Processes such as globalization and neocolonialism have speeded up the rate at which languages are disappearing. It is realised that such a loss on a global scale is damaging to cultural diversity, and on a local scale speakers of endangered languages can feel that their sense of cultural identity and heritage, which are bound to the language, are diminished. |
The Endangered Languages Project serves as an online resource for samples and research on endangered languages as well as a forum for advice and best practices for those working to strengthen linguistic diversity.
This project classifies the Cornish language as ‘revived’. http://www.endangeredlanguages.com/ In 2009 UNESCO, which identifies just under 2500 world languages in danger changed its classification of Cornish from an ‘extinct’ language to a ‘critically endangered’ one. Link to Atlas of the World's Languages in Danger http://www.unesco.org/languages-atlas/ |
Official recognition for the Cornish language
Official recognition for a language is an important factor in keeping a language alive and Cornish is one of the minority of the world’s languages that has any official recognition.
In 2002 Cornish became recognised as an official regional language, joining Welsh, Scottish Gaelic, Irish, Scots and Ulster Scots under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. Cornish is recognised under Part II of the Charter which commits the Government to recognising the language as expression of cultural wealth, respecting the geographical area in which the language is used, facilitating use of Cornish, and the provision of teaching and study in Cornish. |
The Cornish language is also recognised as part of the national minority status for the Cornish under the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. The Framework Convention includes many articles to provide protection and freedom of expression for national minorities with several of these articles specifically applying to language. Signatory Governments are committed to promote the conditions necessary for national minorities to maintain and develop their culture, and to preserve the essential elements of their identity, such as their language.
The Framework Convention includes recognition of the right for a national minority to use minority language freely, provides for the use of place and street names in the minority language, and recognises the right to learn a minority language. Link to European Charter for Regional or Minority languages https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/media/21486313/ecrml.pdf |