A new project aims to revive the endangered Cornish language and engage young speakers through immersive experiences and community involvement
Cornwall: A new project is kicking off to save the Cornish language. It’s been labeled endangered after being officially extinct. The goal is to get more young people speaking it.
They’re launching a £2 million initiative called REVIVE. This project will create fun, immersive experiences to promote the Cornish language, known as Kernewek.
Researchers from Anglia Ruskin University will team up with local speakers. They’ll set up exhibitions in community spots across Cornwall. They plan to use cool tech like 3D extended reality to make the language come alive.
All the materials from this project will be available online. This includes stories, photos, and audio clips about the Cornish language. It’s all about sharing the culture.
They’re also looking at another endangered language, Griko, from southern Italy. The aim is to boost the use of both languages.
Dr. Fabrizio Galeazzi from the university emphasizes the importance of languages. He says losing them leads to a loss of cultural identity. It’s a big deal, especially since many languages are disappearing fast.
Cornish was extinct by the late 1700s but has seen a revival. Now, UNESCO classifies it as endangered, with about 500 fluent speakers today.
The REVIVE project will involve partners from several European countries and is funded by the EU. Work starts in March, and they’re excited to get going!
