The Cornish language is set to receive the same protected status as Welsh, Irish and Scottish Gaelic after the UK government submitted it for the highest level of protection under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. The move grants Kernewek Part III status, which requires active promotion by the government in education, courts, administration, media, culture, and economic and social life, overseen by the Council of Europe.
According to the latest census, 563 people speak Cornish as a first language, though Cornwall Council estimates that between 2,000 and 5,000 people can speak basic Cornish, with numbers rising. The language, once spoken throughout Cornwall, is classified as 'critically endangered' by UNESCO, which had previously declared it 'extinct'.
Leigh Frost, leader of Cornwall Council, described the announcement as 'brilliant news for Cornwall', adding: 'To see Cornish recognised alongside Welsh, Scottish Gaelic and Gaelic is something we can all be extremely proud of. Our language is a vital part of who we are.'
Dick Cole, chair of the Fifth Nation Working Group, said the priority must now be for the government to work with the people of Cornwall to better support and promote the language, and to ensure that Cornish nationhood is reflected in UK governance, including a meaningful devolution settlement.
The Cornish language has seen a revival, with more young people taking lessons and increased prominence in popular culture. In 2024-25, over a million searches were made using the online Cornish dictionary, and the Cornish language team translated more than 32,000 words into Kernewek, up 22% from the previous year. Over 200 people sign up for classes annually, and nearly 6,000 schoolchildren are enrolled in the Go Cornish for Primary Schools programme.
