Welsh language campaigners Cymdeithas yr Iaith have condemned the Westminster government’s decision to end all its funding of the Cornish language.
Sioned Haf, the language pressure group’s International Officer, commented:
“This impudent cut is symptomatic of the destructive attitude of the British government towards the most vulnerable in our communities. I doubt there is any understanding of what kind of support is needed for a language like Cornish to develop. So far, the Cornish language has received £150,000 per annum from the central government since it was recognised under the European Charter for Regional and Minority Languages. This sum is equivalent to about £50 per head for each speaker or learner of Cornish - a paltry amount in the first place - and now it’s being ripped away completely.”
This grant has been used to support the language in many ways including funding educational activities. There has been a growth in the use of the Cornish language since it gained official recognition in 2002, where the language is more visible in the transport, tourist, business and public sectors.
Sioned Haf went on to add:
“Cultural capital is clearly not important for the Westminster government, apart from promoting their own idea of culture - homogenised Britishness. We call on supporters of the Welsh language, to demonstrate their backing and solidarity for the Cornish language, and contribute to campaigns on the issue in the coming months.”
There is an online petition calling for continued support of the Cornish language. You can sign online here: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/128474