Skip to main content
Cornish language

Cornish language

9.7
A language from Cornwall that people spoke long ago and are learning again
  • noun
translation icon : idioma cornish
  • The book provides an introduction to the grammar and vocabulary of the Cornish language.

Examples

  • She learned to speak the Cornish language to reconnect with her family's heritage.

  • Interest in the Cornish language has increased in recent years as part of regional revival efforts.

  • The Cornish language is a beautiful Celtic tongue.

  • Many people are learning the Cornish language today.

  • Interest in the Cornish language has increased in recent years as part of regional revival efforts.

  • She learned to speak the Cornish language to reconnect with her family's heritage.

  • The book provides an introduction to the grammar and vocabulary of the Cornish language.

Synonyms

Cornish
vsCornish language
9.9

A traditional language of Cornwall spoken again by some people

is undergoing a modern revival rather than being fully revived

Surface Forms

Morphology

Cornish + language

The meaning is directly compositional: 'Cornish' (pertaining to Cornwall/the Cornish people) plus 'language' (a named spoken or written system) yields 'the language of Cornwall', which a learner who knows both constituents can derive. This adj‑noun combination follows a regular, cross‑linguistic pattern (X language = the language of X), so it is immediately transparent to B1 learners.

Etymology

Cornish language comes from the place and the word for speech: Cornish means 'from Cornwall' and language means 'speech'. It was the local Celtic speech of Cornwall and, after nearly dying out, it is now being taught and used again as people reconnect with their heritage.