The Cornish or Celtic Language
This is an ancient language with similarities to Welsh, Gaelic, Breton and other similar North Western Europe Languages.
Dolly Pentreath was one of the last people who only spoke Cornish. She died in 1777 at the age of 102 years.
The language is now benefitting from a revival.
Many Cornish place names are made with components of Cornish words which reflect their character.
Cornish to English Translation
Cornish / Celtic |
English |
|
Cornish / Celtic |
English |
|
Cornish / Celtic |
English |
Als |
Cliff |
Gwedhen |
Tree |
Rose |
Land |
Avon |
River |
Gwely |
Bed |
Scath |
Boat |
Bal |
Mine |
Hayl |
Estuary |
Tesen |
Cake |
Baner |
Flag |
Hogh |
Pig |
Tre |
Village /
Settlement |
Bara |
Bread |
Howl |
Sun |
Tyak |
Farmer |
Bos |
Dwelling |
Jynjy |
Engine House |
Ula |
Owl |
Bre / Bronn |
Hill |
Kernow |
Cornwall |
Yar |
Hen |
Bugh |
Cow |
Kes |
Cheese |
|
|
Cader |
Chair |
Ky |
Dog |
Numbers |
Cath |
Cat |
Lann |
Church / Holy Place |
Cornish / Celtic |
English |
Chy / Chi |
House |
Leth |
Milk |
Un |
One |
Crows |
Cross |
Lor |
Moon |
Deu |
Two |
Davas |
Sheep |
Lynn / Lan |
Lake |
Try |
Three |
Den |
Man |
Lyver |
Book |
Peder |
Four |
Dewnens |
Devon |
Margh |
Horse |
Pymp |
Five |
Dowr |
Water |
Men |
Stone |
Whegh |
Six |
Du |
Black / Dark |
Mor |
Sea |
Seyth |
Seven |
Edhen |
Bird |
Nan |
Valley |
Eth |
Eight |
Eglos |
Church |
Oy |
Egg |
Naw |
Nine |
Enys |
Isle |
Pel |
Ball |
Dek |
Ten |
Flogh |
Child |
Pen / Pon |
Head |
To download this document as a PDF please click here.
|
Forth |
Road |
Pol |
Pool / Pitt |
Glaw |
Rain |
Pons |
Bridge |
Golowjy |
Light House |
Porth |
Cove |
Gorhel |
Ship |
Pysk |
Fish |
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