Cours de Kernewek. Grades 1-2 PDF

KERNEWEK DRE LYTHER
Rager (Introduction.)
“Kernewek dre Lyther” began in 1983 and has helped many students to
succeed in the examinations of the Cornish Language Board, the majority with distinction.
Many have reached the highest grade and been made Bards of the Gorsedd of Cornwall.
For the first four years, courses were only in Unified Cornish but in 1987 the
“phonemic” spelling, now called “Kernewek Kemmyn”, with modified pronunciation, based
on the research of Dr. Ken George and described in his book “The Pronunciation and
Spelling of Revived Cornish.” was introduced. The KDL courses were all converted to the
new system and almost all students are now learning this system though we are still able to
offer Unified Cornish to those who want to learn it. The reasons for the changes are explained
rather technically in Dr George’s book mentioned above and they are further explained and
defended against recent criticisms in “Kernewek Kemmyn, Cornish for the Twenty- first
century” by Paul Dunbar and Ken George, published in 1997.
The course was initiated and organised on behalf of the Cornish Language
Board by Ray Edwards at the request of Dr Ken George who in 1983 was the secretary of the
Education sub-committee of the Board.
A cassette in the new pronuncia tion has been made to accompany the courses
and detailed pronunciation instructions are included.
Before 1988 there were three grades of examination and the courses
correspond with these three grades. In 1988 the second grade was divided into two parts to be
taken separately. The original second grade K.D.L. course has not been divided into two to
correspond with this but it has been re-named the “Second/Third Grade”. The advanced
course, previously described as Third Grade is now the Fourth Grade.
All the K.D.L. courses put together consist of eighty lessons. The first twenty
five cover the first grade and are followed by a number of past first grade exam. papers.
Lessons twenty six to fifty cover the second/third grade and these likewise are followed by a
number of past papers. Lessons fifty one to eighty cover the fourth grade and consist of
reading/study programmes to improve general knowledge of, and ability to read and write the
language, with reading programmes for the set texts. Students also work slo wly through a
number of past fourth grade papers answering questions on the history and back ground of
Cornish as well as ones involving the language.
It will be appreciated that teaching the spoken language is never a strong point
of any correspondence course and all students who have access to classes, Yeth an Werin
groups or anywhere where they can practice spoken Cornish are urged to take full advantage
of them. We also advise students to do further reading in order to gain more vocabulary.
Kowethas an Yeth Kernewek (The Cornish Language Fellowship) publish a monthly
magazine called An Gannas which usually contains stories and articles for beginners. Also
Dyllansow KDL (KDL Publications, 6 Halton Rd, Sutton Coldfield, B73 6NP), Kesva an
Taves Kernewek (65 Churchtown, Gwinnear, Hayle, Cornwall, TR27 5JL) and good
bookshops can provide dictionaries, vocabularies and short easy stories to help. The KDL
website has Gerva Kynsa dhe Dressa Gradh which is free to download.
Now to the nitty- gritty of the course:
Stationery. You will need three substantial exercise books or loose leaf
folders, plus a quantity of loose leaf paper in another folder. Two of the books are for a
Cornish-English and English-Cornish “gerva” (vocabulary). Do not use the small note books
sometimes used in schools as “vocab. books.” They are far too small. If you use fixed sheet
books, you will need to divide them into alphabetical sections. If you enter words
alphabetically according to the first two letters, you will reach the fourth grade before your
“gervaow” become too cumbersome to use efficiently. The table below shows the percentage
of pages we suggest you allow for each letter.
Corn-Eng. (Q, X and Z are not in use.)

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P R S T U V W Y
7 4 1 8 4 2 9 5 1 1 12 5 6 3 3 7 2 7 5 1 1 3 3
Eng-Corn.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W XYZ
6 6 8 6 2 6 2 6 2 2 2 4 4 2 2 6 2 4 10 6 2 6 6 2
The third book is for translation and re-translation as explained below. On

the remaining loose leaf sheets you will send your lesson work to K.D.L. who will return it to
you marked, to study and to file in your folder.
Dyskansow. Each “dyskans” (lesson) in the first and second/third grade
courses consists of a reading passage in Kernewek (Cornish) with a “gerva” and a number of
“govynnadow” (questions), usually ten. Following this is a grammar section (“gramasek”).
Each new point to be learned has an exercise which will help you to understand and learn it.
Don't be frightened by the word “grammar.” There is a glossary of all the grammatical terms
used, with examples in English. At the end of most of the lessons is a “skrif,” that is a topic
on which to write a composition or essay. Every fifth lesson is a revision lesson with revision
exercises. The reading passage and the “govynnadow” have been recorded on the cassette.
Procedure. Each lesson will give you a fair amount of work which cannot be rushed through,
and will take a fair amount of time.
Step 1. Study the reading passage and the “gerva.” In lesson 1 (Dyskans onan) all the words
are listed and you will have little difficulty in working out the meaning of the passage. In
subsequent lessons, all new words are listed in the “gerva.”
Step 2. When you understand the passage fairly well, play the passage only on the cassette
two or three times, following the text, and practise reading it aloud yourself.
Step 3. Copy the “gerva” alphabetically into your own vocabulary books,
Step 4. Translate the reading passage carefully on to the left hand page of your re-translation
book.
Step 5. After a rest, or, better still, the next day, re-translate your English back into
“Kernewek” on the opposite, right hand page of your book. The only help you are allowed for
this is your own vocab. books, so put everything else away. When you have finished (and
only then) check and mark your re-translation with the original. You may, of course, discover
errors in your first “treylyans” (translation) into “Sowsnek” (English) . It is better to regard
your “treylyansow” (translations) and “dastreylyansow” (re-translations) as your own private
study. However, if you find difficulty or feel you need to have them checked, use loose leaf
folders instead of books and send them to K.D.L. with your other work. It is possible to have
different versions from the original, which are both good “Kernewek” and without change of
meaning.
Step 6. Look at the “govynnadow.” In the early lessons these are very easy. The answer can
usually be copied word for word from the reading passage. Answer these on loose leaf paper
to send to K.D.L.
Step 7. Play the questions and answers on the cassette. A gap is left before and after each
answer. Try to say each answer aloud, or read your written answer after hearing the question,
and again after the recorded answer, imitating the pronunciation on the tape. Do this several
times until the questions and the answers are familiar.
Step 8. Study the “Gramasek,” and do the exercises on loose leaf paper and send to K.D.L.
These eight steps should be followed for every first and second/third grade
lesson, except the revision lessons which have no reading passage, “govynnadow” or
corresponding recording. Beginning at lesson five (“dyskans pymp”) most lessons have a
“skrif” to write at the end. This should be at least ten sentences long, and longer as you gain
confidence. Write it on alternate lines to leave room for comments and/or corrections.
When you have completed the eight steps for “dyskans onan” send your work
on loose leaf paper to K.D.L. and get on with “dyskans dew” (lesson 2) “Dyskans onan” will
be returned to you as soon as possible with the lesson papers for “dyskans tri” (and you can
guess that one for yourself!)
If you have any problem, explain it to K.D.L. and we will give you all the help
we can.
One thing more. K.D.L. is not just a correspondence course. Its aim is to link
up lovers of “Kernow” and “Kernewek” wherever they may be by writing letters to each
other in “Kernewek.” If you would like to write to someone, give K.D.L. whatever details
you think are relevant. Names and addresses of new students are published in “An
Kesskrifer” the quarterly news letter of K.D.L.
KERNEWEK DRE LYTHER.
Pronunciation
The following notes are intended as a guide for K.D.L. students who are
learning the pronunciation and spelling of “Kernewek Kemmyn” based on the
research of Dr Ken George and described in his books The Pronunciation and spelling
of Revived Cornish and Kernewek Kemmyn, Cornish for the Twenty-first Century.
A cassette has been made which will give an idea of the pronunciation which
Dr George proposes, though no doubt with less accuracy than he would wish.
Perfectionists should study the books themselves.
Words are usually stressed on the last but one syllable. Where this rule is
broken, it will be shown in the lesson vocabularies by underlining the stressed
syllable.
Letters are sounded as in English with the following exceptions:
A As in “bat” when followed by a doubled consonant e.g. dannvon (to send).

More as in “father” but not quite so long when stressed e.g. the first syllable of bara
(bread). A neutral vowel as in “the” (not “thee”) when unstressed e.g. the second
syllable of bara (bread). Never sounded as in English “made”.
AW To rhyme with “how” e.g. glaw (rain).
AY To rhyme with “by” e.g. chayn (chain).
B Normally as in English but as P at the end of a word, unless followed by a

vowel in a word following immediately without any pause e.g. y vab (his son) B
sounds as P; y vab ev (his own son) B sounds as B.
C Only used followed by H. K is used for the normal 'hard C' sound.
CH As in English e.g. chayn (chain).
DH Normally as TH in English in “this” - not as in “thin”. Sounds as TH in “thin”

at end of word unless followed without a pause by a word beginning with a vowel. It
then sounds as TH in “this” e.g. pub dydh (each day) DH as in “thin”. Pub dydh oll
(every day) DH as in “this”.
E When followed by a doubled consonant or in an unstressed syllable, the sound

is as in English “bet” e.g. penn (head), tiek (farmer). (Many adjectives end in
unstressed -ek). When followed by a single consonant or stressed it has the same
sound but lengthened as in French “tête”, “frêne”. This is not the same as the vowel
sound in English “made” or the French “E acute” e.g. den (man).
EU As in English “purr” or more accurately as in French “peur” e.g. beudhi (to

drown).
EW Approximately as English “cow” or more accurately as in Welsh “tew”. Try to
say the sound of E in “bet” followed immediately by the vowel sound in “boot”.
Cornish people can usually make this sound more easily than English people.
EY As in English “veil” e.g. bleydh (wolf).
G Normally as in English “get” (never as in “giant”). Sounds as English K at end

of word unless followed immediately without a pause by a word beginning with a
vowel e.g. teg (beautiful) sounds K, teg a wel (beautiful to behold/how beautiful!)
sounds G.
GH Sounds as the CH in Scottish “loch” or German “achtung”. The English

speaker can achieve this sound by heavily breathing an H sound, but, unlike H in
English, the Cornish GH comes in the middle or at the end of words so this heavy
breathing requires a slightly unnatural effort for the English speaker e.g. yeghes
(health).
I Sounds as EE in “beet” e.g. gwir (true).
IW A fairly accurate pronunciation would probably be obtained by saying

“seaweed” and then omitting the -eed leaving the sound of ea followed by w as
pronounced in English rather than as a full vowel as in Cornish or Welsh. In practice,
however, little distinction is made between this and YW.
K Normally as in English but as C at end of word if followed by a vowel.
O Normally as the vowel sound in “bought”, but as “pot” when followed by a

doubled consonant e.g. lost (tail) as in “bought”, bronn (hill) as in “pot”.
OE Approximately as in “toe” but avoiding the diphthong that tends to occur in

English. More accurately as French “eau” e.g. boes (food). As in English U in a few
words where is followed by a doubled consonant, e.g. toemm (hot).
OU As OO in “boot” e.g. gour (husband).
OW As in “grow” e.g. down (deep), not as in “cow”.
Q Not used, being replaced by KW.
R Should always be sounded i.e. rolled in words like kar (friend).
U Usually pronounced as in French “tu”. The sound is sometimes used by

Scottish speakers of English in words like “you” and in the second syllable of
“Glasgow”. It is a cross between English “ee” and “oo” and is notoriously difficult for
English speakers. It has been recommended as the correct sound for “u” in Cornish for
many years but very few Cornish speakers actually use it! They tend to use “i” or “ee”
instead! e.g. tus (men, people).
V Normally as in English, but as F at the end of a word unless followed by a
vowel in a word following immediately without any pause e.g. genev (with me) as F,
ev a drig (he dwells) as V.
W See EW, IW and YW. Otherwise W sounds as in English.
X Not used, being replaced by KS.
Y When found at the end of word or between consonants (i.e. not with another
vowel) the sound is as I in “bit” e.g. bys (world). When followed by a vowel the
sound is as in English e.g. redya (to read).
YW Very much like IW above except that Y is short and I is long. The sound is
well illustrated in the name Pythywwar coined by John Richards in a series of stories
published in An Gannas based on Sherlock Holmes. Pyth yw war means What is on
and is used for Dr Watson. If sounded as Pythy-war, the y-w gives the correct
pronunciation of yw.
Z Not in use (though Dr George is now suggesting it could usefully be

introduced)
Doubled consonants
Where these occur at the close of a stressed syllable they should be sounded
separately and distinctly, as, for example, the two t's in “hot tap”. In practice, it is
quite difficult to sound a double n or double m except by following the Late Cornish
practice of sounding the first n as d, e.g. penn (head) as “pedn”; and the first m as b,
e.g. toemm (hot) as “toebm”. This is acceptable.
Double th is written “tth” and double gh as “ggh”. A vowel before a doubled

consonant is short.
Although clear sounds are described above for vowels, when these occur in
unstressed syllables at the end of words there is a tendency for the vowel to be
weakened or pronounced as a neutral vowel, i.e. as in the English word “the” (not
“thee”). The texts sometimes indicate this also by making apparently different vowels
rhyme together.
It has been decided that most Biblical names beginning with “J” should start
with “Y” and be pronounced accordingly in Cornish. There is possibly some doubt
about this but at the moment the Language Board is using this Y pronunciation and
the names “Yowann” and “Yesus” appear in K.D.L. courses.
Please note that there is a pronunciation error on the cassette. The reader tends
to pronounce ow in words like “Kernow” to rhyme with the English word cow. They
should rhyme with grow, as stated above.
MUTATION TABLE.
1 2 3 4 5 6
Unmutated. Soft. Breathed. Hard. Mixed. Mixed after “th”
B V P F V
Ch J
D Dh T T T
G+a
G+e _ K H H
G+i
G+y
G+l _ K
G+r
Gw W Kw Hw W
G+o W
G+u K Hw W
G+ro
G+ru
K G H
M V F V
P B F
T D Th
Glossary of Grammatical Terms.
Adjective. A word that describes a noun. e.g. “a tall man”, “a heavy bag”. In
English, it goes before the noun, but in Cornish, after it more often
than not.
Adverb. Usually a word showing how something is done, and so goes with a
verb, e.g. “He walks slowly.” “They talk quickly.” It is often formed in
English by adding “-ly” to an adjective. In Cornish, the corresponding
adjective can be used alone or after “yn5”. See dyskans 17.
Affirmative. An affirmative verb shows an action which does happen, as opposed to

one that does not, which is described as “negative” e.g. “I am learning
Cornish”. is affirmative. “I am not learning Cornish” is negative.
Auxiliary. An auxiliary verb is used to form a tense of another verb. e.g. “I have
spoken.” “I shall go.” “Do you smoke?”
Cardinal. A cardinal number is a normal number as used in counting, “one, two,

three etc. as opposed to Ordinal numbers “first, second, third” etc, and
numeral adverbs “once, twice (thrice)” etc.
Clause. We are mainly concerned with expressions such as “when he came”,

“because he went,” etc. These are subordinate clauses. A sentence such
as “I saw him when he came.” has a main clause, “I saw him”, (which
makes sense by itself) and a subordinate clause, “when he came”,
which only makes sense when joined to the main clause to add to its
meaning and make a complete sentence.
Collective. Some nouns have a form which refers to a group or collection, e.g.
“sheep, fish, swine, cattle, hair, etc.” This feature is more common in
Cornish than in English. See Dyskans 23. Such nouns are called
“collective nouns” or “collective plurals”.
Comparative. Adjectives ending in “-er”, such as “bigger, smaller” are called

“comparative” because they compare one thing with another, e.g.
“Cornish is easier than Welsh.” See Dyskans 29.
Complement. What follows the verb “to be” and a few other verbs is usually the
complement. e.g. “John is big.” “Jane is his sister.” See Dyskans 12.
Conditional. In the sentence “I would go if I could,” whether, in fact I go or not

depends on a condition: Can I go or can’t I? So a verb which shows an
action which depends on a condition is conditional. It is shown by the
auxiliary verb “would” or “should.”
Conjunction. A word which joins two ideas together, e.g. “bat and ball,” “red and
white “He came and saw.” We are mainly concerned with words which
join a main clause to a subordinate clause, e.g. “I saw him when he
came,” “Cornishmen learn Cornish because they are Cornish.”
KDL Glossary page 2
Definite Article. This is the word “the” which precedes a noun which has been
mentioned already, so is now “definite”. The Indefinite Article “a(n)”
is used with a noun not previously mentioned. e.g. “Is that a cat?”
“Yes, it is the cat from next door!”
Demonstrative. The words “this, that, these, those,” are called “demonstrative”
adjectives or pronouns because they point things out. e.g. “This is my
friend.” (pronoun). “That book is yours.” (adjective)
Direct Object. See “Object”
Feminine. See “Masculine.”
Finite. This is the form of the verb found in a simple sentence, e.g. “I like
Cornish.” as distinct from the infinitive or verb-noun, or participles
which cannot form the verb in a simple sentence.
First Person. This is the person speaking as shown by the pronoun “I” or “We”. The
term is used, both with these pronouns and any verb of which they are
the subject. e.g. “I speak” is the First Person (singular) of the verb “to
speak.”
Imperative. The form of a verb which gives a command. e.g. “Sit down!” “Get
up!” “Go away!” The command may be directed at the speaker, or to a
third person. Such forms are really lacking in English, but phrases like
“Let us go!” “Let him see!” are used to make up for the lack.
Imperfect. The imperfect tense of a verb shows an action which occurred

continuously, habitually, or repeatedly in past time. English uses such
forms as “I was going,” “I used to go,” “I would go,” “I went” (every
day), to indicate this meaning. See dyskansow 26, 28, 32.
Indefinite Article. See “Definite Article”

Indefinite Subject. A subject (of a sentence) not previously mentioned or defined, e.g.
“A man came.” “Some bread is on the table.” “Horses can run fast This
concept is important in connection with “eus” and “usi”, the 3rd
person singular of “bos” “to be.” (See Dyskans 33) and use of the
subjunctive (dyskans 44)
Indirect Object, This usually refers to a person to whom something is given, told,
shown, etc. e.g. “He gave me the book” “The book” is the direct
object, and “me” indirect. See dyskans 36.
Indirect Statement. A statement may be quoted direct, using the actual words a person
speaks, e. g. “John said, ‘I like Cornish’”, or it may be made as an
Indirect Statement, e.g. “John said (that) he liked Cornish.” Such
statements require special care in Cornish See Dyskansow 32,33, 34, &
38.
Infinitive. See “Verb-Noun.”
Infixed Pronouns. Object pronouns which in Cornish are placed between a verb and
its particle. They do not exist in English. See Dyskans 27.
KDL Glossary page 3
Interrogative Particle. See Dyskans 14. “Interrogative” means “connected with a

question.”
Masculine and Feminine. In English, living things of the male sex are masculine, and
living things of the female sex are feminine. In Cornish, every noun,
even though lifeless, and therefore sexless, is either masculine or
feminine in gender. See Dyskans 2, 4, 11.
Mutation. This is a Celtic phenomenon with no English counterpart. See Dyskans

1. Every word causing the following word to mutate is shown with the
number of the appropriate mutation state throughout grades one and
two of the K.D.L. course. However, it is not necessary to write these
numbers when writing Cornish normally.
Negative. See “Affirmative.”
Nominal Sentence. A Sentence starting with a noun or pronoun subject. This is then
followed by the particle “a2” and a verb in the third person singular. It
is always affirmative.
Noun. This is really another word for “name”. All words that name
people/places/things/ideas, etc. are “nouns” e.g. “dog, man, village,
happiness” etc.
Object. The part of a sentence that receives or suffers the action indicated by
the verb. e.g. “I saw the man.” “He saw me.”
Ordinal numbers. The numbers that show order, e.g. First, Second, Third, etc. See
Dyskans 21.
Particle. These are very short words which have an important role in sentence
construction, but are not usually translated. In English there is only
one, the word “to” before a verb as in “I want to go.” However, there
are several in Cornish. See Dyskansow 2 and 8.
Passive. The normal word order of a simple English sentence is reversed when
the verb is passive, because now, the Subject suffers the action of the
verb. e.g. “The man was seen.” “I was heard.” The passive is formed
with the verb “to be” as an auxiliary and the past participle. This is the
normal pattern in Cornish too.
Past Participle. In English, this is used with the verb “to have” to make up the perfect
tense, e.g. “I have spoken.” but it is not used in this way in Cornish. It
is also used with the verb “to be” to form the passive, e.g. “The man
was seen”: and this is its commonest use in Cornish
Past Tense, The verb usually has a special ending or form which shows that the
action described occurred in the past. A common ending in English is
“-ed”, e.g. “He looked.” “We opened”. In Cornish “-as” and “-is” are
common endings, but the term “preterite” is used to refer to the
corresponding Cornish tense to distinguish it from other past tenses,
Perfect Tense. See “Past Participle”. In Cornish, the perfect particle “re2” is used with
the preterite tense. See Dysk. 6.
KDL Glossary page 4
Personal Pronouns. These are pronouns referring to persons. In English they are: I;
(thou); he/she/it; we; you; they. The old second person singular
pronoun “thou”, is, of course, replaced by “you” in modern English, so
that “you” is both singular and plural, but Cornish, like most
languages, still has two words.
Plural. See “Singular.”
Possessive Pronouns. See Dyskans 14. K.D.L. follows the Cornish convention of
calling the words “ow3, dha2, y2, hy3, agan, agas, aga3,” pronouns
although, strictly speaking, they are adjectives.
Preposition. A word showing the relationship between two things, or ideas, e.g.
“The book is on the table.” “He went without speaking.” “That is the
man to whom she is married.” It is followed by a noun, verb-noun, or
pronoun,
Present Participle. This is a verbal adjective ending in “-ing” in English, e.g. “a man
looking” “a boy reading”
Present Tense, A verb usually shows by its form or ending that the action takes place
in the present time. e.g. “He looks” “We go.”
Preterite Tense. See “Past Tense.”
Pluperfect Tense. This tense shows an action which took place before the main action
of the sentence. e.g. “After the rain had stopped I went out.” In
English the past tense of the verb “to have” (“had”) is used as the
auxiliary, with the past participle. In Cornish the verb has the same
form as the conditional. See Dyskansow 26, 28, 32. The perfect
particle “re2” may be used.
Pronoun. A word replacing a noun, and so avoiding repetition of a noun many

times in a narrative. e.g. “Yann went fishing, He caught some fish and
he came home and sold them.
Reflexive Verb. These verbs show an action done to oneself, e.g. “to wash (oneself)”.
They use a pronoun ending in “self” or “selves”, although it is
sometimes possible to omit this. e.g. “He is shaving (himself)”. See
Dyskans 28.
Relative Clause. A clause starting with a relative pronoun. See Dyskansow 31, 44, 46,
47.
Relative Pronoun. The pronouns “who, whom, and which,” used to relate to a noun in
the main clause, e.g. “I know a man who speaks Cornish.”
Second Person. The person spoken to, denoted by the pronoun “you.” The term is
used both with this pronoun and any verb of which it is the subject. e.g.
“You speak”. In English this may be singular or plural, but Cornish
uses different forms for both the pronoun and verb. See Dyskans 7.
Singular and Plural. “Singular” refers to one thing/person etc only. “Plural” refers to
more than one.
e.g. Singular: man, boy, woman, girl, I am, she is, he is going.
Plural: men, boys, women, girls. We are, they are, they are going.
KDL Glossary page 5
Subject This is normally the person or thing that performs the action shown by
the verb, e.g. “Wella sells books.” However, with a passive verb, the
subject receives or suffers the action. e.g. “Books are sold.”
Subjunctive. This term is very difficult to define, but its use is explained in
Dyskansow 31, 41, 42, 43, 44, and 46.
Superlative. Refers to adjectives ending in “-est”. e.g. “greatest, longest, fastest.”

They show the extreme point which an attribute attains in a given
situation. e.g. “I am the greatest.” “Cornish is the easiest language.”
Third Person. This is the person or thing spoken about. It is shown by the pronouns
He/She/It/They. The term is used both with these pronouns and any
verb of which they are the subject. Any noun being spoken about is
also third person as is the verb of which it is the subject. e.g. “He
speaks” “She speaks”, “The men speak,”
Verb. A word showing an action. However, the verb “to be” shows a state
rather than an action.
Verbal Sentence. A sentence starting with the verb preceded by the particle “y5” if
affirmative, or “ny2” if negative. The verb agrees with the subject if a
pronoun, but remains singular if the subject is a plural noun. However,
it is possible for a noun subject to precede the “ny” in a negative
sentence, in which case the verb agrees with it in number.
Verb-noun. This is the form of the verb usually described as “infinitive”. However,
the term “verb-noun” or “verbal noun” is preferred by Celtic
grammarians, and is probably more appropriate to Celtic grammar. In
English, it is often, but not always, preceded by the particle “to”. e.g. “I
want to go.” The “to” is omitted when used with “can” and “do” as
auxiliary verbs. e.g. “I do go”, “I can go”,
Vocative Particle. We sometimes use “O” before a noun in English in archaic or

poetic texts. e.g. “O Lord, in thee have I trusted:” The Cornish
equivalent is “A2” See Dyskans 6. This is the vocative particle. Use of
it is optional but more common than in modern English.
Summary of Lessons.
1) Kernow. Mutations and Indefinite Article.
2) Breten Vyghan. Adjectives with Singular Nouns. “Yw”. Particle “a2.”
3) Yowann ha Jenifer. Possession. “yw “ and “Yma”. “to have.”
4) Yann hag Anjela. Definite Article. Mutations “Yma dhe2” word order. Negative
particle “ny2”.
5) Revision.
6) Kynsa lyther Yann. 3rd. sing. past tense of verbs. The verb-noun.
7) Gorthyp Yowann. Subject Pronouns and combinations with “gans” and “dhe2”.
8) Anjela. 3rd. sing. forms of “gul” and “mos” Numbers 1 to 10. Vocative
Particle “A2”.
9) Gwerthji Yowann. Days of the Week, Time of Day. Use of “ha”.
10) Revision.
11) Dy’ Sul. “Dhe2” with “gul” and preceding object. Plural of Nouns.
Adjectives with masculine plural nouns. Present participle with
“ow4”. Preposition with Verb-noun. Word order.
12) Lyther Yann. Verbal sentences. Short and long forms of “bos.”
13) An Klas Gorthugher. Demonstrative Pronouns. “yn-medh”, “eus”, “yn”, “war”

combined with pronouns.
14) Y'n tren. “Gul”, present and past tenses. Questions and answers with
“gul”. “Gwell yw”, “Res yw”. Possessive Adjectives with
Nouns and Verb Nouns. Present and past tenses of “gweles”
and “galloes”
15) Revision of nominal and verbal sentences.
l6) “Megi difennys.” Present and Imperfect Tenses of “mynnes”, “Drog yw” ,
“Gwell yw.”
17) Lyther Yowann. “Yn5” with Adjectives. “An jydh.”
18) Kastell Penndinas. Imperfect of “gul”, “kara”, “galloes,” and “gweles”
19) Dyskans-Lywyas. Second person imperative.
20) Revision.
21) An Wor-varghas. Cardinal and Ordinal Numbers.

22) Chi Jenifer. Combinations of Prepositions and Pronouns.
23) An Lowarth. The months of the year . Collective plurals.
24) An Orsedh. The Clock; Numeral adverbs.
25) General Revision.
First Grade Examination Paper 1996, with Vocabulary.

Dyskans Onan Kynsa dyskans
Folenn 1
(Mutations and Indefinite Article.)
KERNOW.
Kernow yw konna tir orth penn Breten 2 Veur. Kernow yw bro2 geltek. Yowann yw
Kernow. Ev a2 drig yn Kernow. Ev a2 gews Sowsnek. Ev a2 gews Kernewek ynwedh.
Pyth yw mammyeth Yowann? Sowsnek yw mammyeth Yowann. Fatell2 dhysk
Yowann Kernewek? Yowann yw esel an Kowethas an Yeth Kernewek. Ev a dhe2 glas
rag dyski Kernewek. Prag y 5 tysk ev Kernewek? Drefenn y 2 vos Kernow!
Gerva (Vocabulary.)
Kernow = Cornwall, Cornishman pyth? = what
yw = is mammyeth (f) Yowann
konna tir = peninsula = John’s mother tongue
orth penn = at the end (of) Fatell2 dhysk Yowann?
2
Breten Veur (f)= Gt. Britain. = How does Yowann learn?
bro (f) = country. esel = member
keltek = Celtic. Kowethas an yeth (f)kernewek
Yowann = John. = Cornish Language Fellowship
ev = he. Ev a dhe2 glas= He goes to a class
yn = in rag dyski = (in order) to learn
a2 gews = speaks. Prag y5 tysk ev Kernewek?
Sowsnek = English. = Why does he learn Cornish?
2
a drig = lives. Drefenn y 2 vos Kernow!
Kernewek = Cornish. = Because he is a Cornishman!
ynwedh = also
All the nouns marked (f) are feminine. The others are masculine.
Pronunciation note. The word “dhe” meaning “to” is (exceptionally) pronounced
exactly as the English word “the” (not “thee”) .
Govynnadow (Questions)
All the answers can be found in the passage, and just copied down. All except number
6 should be complete sentences.
1) Pyth yw Kernow? 4) Pyth yw mammyeth Yowann?
2) Pyth yw Yowann? 5) Fatell2 dhysk Yowann Kernewek?
3) Ple (Where) trig Yowann? 6) Prag y5 tysk ev Kernewek?
Gramasek (Grammar.)
Mutations. In Cornish, many words change their first letter, and this change depends
on the word coming before it. The changes are called “mutations.” The basic
unchanged form as shown in the dictionary is called “First State,” and there are four
possible sets of mutations which are numbered 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th state. They are
described as follows:
1st state = basic dictionary form.
2nd state = soft mutation.
3rd state = aspirate (breathed) mutation.
4th state = hard mutation.
5th state = mixed mutation.
KDL Dyskans onan folenn 2
However, these states are usually referred to by their numbers. A table of

mutations comes with this lesson. It should be kept prominently displayed for easy
reference. A blank space on the table indicates that no change takes place. A dash
shows that the letter drops out completely and the second letter becomes the initial
one.
Note, however, that K, P and T do not soften to G, B and D respectively when
they follow S or TH at the end of the previous word. They remain unchanged.
Likewise K does not change to the 3rd state (H) when followed by L, N, or R. (You
will appreciate that Hl, Hn and Hr would be rather difficult to say!)
You will see now why some words in the passage, vocabulary and questions
have a figure after them. The figure shows the mutation state of the following word,
so, “a2 gews” shows that “gews” is in second state. Look at the table to find the first
state of this word. It is “kews.”
Exercise 1. Write down the first state of the word following the numbered word in
each of the following phrases:
1) An2 vro. 6) Fatell2 dhysk
2
2) Breten deg. 7) An2 Gernewes. (Cornishwoman)
3) bro 2 geltek. 8) Ev a dhe2 glas .
2
4) Ev a drig 9) Prag y5 tysk ev?
5) Ev a2 gews. 10) Drefenn y 2 vos Kernewek.
Here are some more to practise on. Write down the first state as before .
Exercise 2.
1) dhe2 dre. (to town.) 6) an2 dus. (the men.)
2) y2 goweth. (his friend) 7) dha2 das. (your father.)
3) ow3 howeth.(my friend.) 8) ow3 thas. (my father.)
4) dhe2 wir. (truly.) 9) yn5 fras. (greatly.)
5) an2 venyn. (the woman.) 10) ow4 tos. (coming.)
It is impossible to use a dictionary unless you convert a mutated word back to its
unmutated, first state form before looking it up. The mutated forms are not shown.
Always check with the table until you are perfectly familiar with all the mutations.
(Like “dhe2”, “dha2” meaning “your” is also pronounced like the English word “the”
(not “thee.”)The spelling distinction is maintained to ease visual recognition.)
Indefinite Article. In English, this is the word “a” in front of a noun (naming word)
e.g. “a peninsula,” “a Cornishman.” You will see from the passage that it is not
normally used in Cornish so that the Cornish for “a peninsula” is just “konna tir” and
“a Cornishman” is just “Kernow.” (In the old Cornish texts unn was sometimes used
to mean a but this is not usual in Revived Cornish)
Exercise 3: Using the words in exercises 1 and 2, translate the following into Cornish
Don’t forget that the words must be in first state.
1) A town. (2) A friend. (3) A woman. (4) A father. (5) A class.
Dyskans dew KERNEWEK DRE LYTHER Nessa dyskans
folenn 1
(Adjectives with singular nouns, yw, particle a)
Breten2 Vyghan
Breten2 Vyghan yw bro 2 geltek. Rann an hweghkorn frynkek yw. Rewlys yw gans
Pow Frynk. Yann yw Breton. Ev a2 gews Bretonek. Ev a2 gews Frynkek ynwedh.
Bretonek yw y2 vammyeth. Byttegyns ny2 gews Bretonek marnas gans y2 gowetha.
Yann a2 dhysk Kernewek dre lyther. Ev a skrif lytherow dhe Yowann yn Kernow.
Yowann yw y 2 gesskrifer, ha’y2 goweth.
Gerva
Nouns are normally shown in the first state (i.e. unmutated). They are masculine
unless marked (f) .
Breten2 Vyghan = Brittany gans = with, by
rann (f) = part y2 = his
hweghkorn = hexagon kowetha = friends
frynkek = French dre lyther = by letter
rewlys yw = it is governed a skrif = writes
Pow Frynk = France lytherow = letters
Yann = (Breton for “John”) dhe2 = to
Bretonek = Breton (language) kesskrifer = penfriend,
Frynkek = French (language) correspondent
byttegyns = however ha’y2 = and his
ny2 gews = does not speak koweth = friend
marnas = except
(ny... marnas) = only
Govynnadow
All the answers can be copied from the passage. Write complete sentences.
1) Pyth yw Breten 2 Vyghan ? 5) Pandr’a2 dhysk Yann ?
2) Pyth yw Yann ? (What does Yann learn ?)
3) Pyth yw y 2 vammyeth ? 6) Pandr’a skrif Yann?
4) P’eur (when) kews ev Bretonek ? 7) Piw (who) yw y 2 gesskrifer ?
Gramasek
Position of adjectives (describing words) We have met the following:
Breten2 Veur = Great Britain
bro 2 geltek = Celtic country
Breten2 Vyghan = Brittany
hweghkorn frynkek = French hexagon
These examples show how in Cornish the adjective follows the noun it
describes. Here are five nouns, and five adjectives:
Nouns kesskrifer = correspondent, koweth = comrade, friend, kothman = friend,
Kernow = Cornishman, Breton = Breton.
Adjectives keltek = Celtic, kernewek = Cornish, byghan = small, meur = great,
frynkek = French.
folenn 2
Exercise 1 Translate the following into Cornish. Remember to put the noun before
the adjective that describes it, and that usually there is no word for “a”.
1) a Celtic comrade 5) a Cornish friend 8) a small friend
2) a French correspondent 6) a great comrade 9)a Cornish correspondent
3) a great Cornishman 7) a French friend 10) a great Breton
4) a small Breton
All the above are masculine. If we put adjectives with feminine nouns in the
singular, then the adjective takes second state mutation .
Note that in Cornish all nouns, even those referring to sexless inanimate
objects are either masculine or feminine.
Here are five feminine nouns:
benyn = woman, rann = part, mamm = mother, hwoer = sister, myrgh = daughter.
Exercise 2. Translate the following into Cornish, remembering:
(a) the word for “a”is rarely used
. (b) the noun comes first. (c) the adjective takes second state mutation.
1) a Cornish woman 4) a great sister 7) a little sister
2) a little woman 5) a Celtic woman 8) a French woman
3) a small part 6) a little daughter 9) a French mother
10) a great part
The particle “a2”. You will have noticed that the word “a2” precedes most of the verbs
in the reading passage. These sentences start with the subject, a noun or pronoun and
are described as “nominal”. In such sentences the verb stays the same if the sentence
is affirmative, no matter what “ person” the subject is. The particle “a2” itself has no
English meaning and is not translated but it causes second state mutation in the
following verb.
Exercise 3. Translate the following into Cornish, taking care to insert the “a2” in front
of each verb.
1) He lives in Cornwall. 3) Yann learns Cornish.
2) He speaks Cornish 4) He writes letters.
yw = is This is the third person singular of the verb “to be”. It can mean “he is”; “she
is”; or “ it is” = When used in this way it is placed after the complement. (In the
sentence “He is a Breton”, “a Breton” is the complement.)
e.g. Kernow yw = He is a Cornishman. Breton yw. = He is a Breton.
Exercise 4. Translate into Cornish:
1) He is a great Cornishman. 6) He is his correspondent.
2) He is a friend. . 7) She is a Cornish woman.
3) He is a member of the Cornish 8) She is a great woman.
Language Fellowship. 9) She is his daughter.
4) He is a comrade. 10) She is his sister.
5) He is his friend.
Background note. Many Cornish people think of Cornwall as separate from England.
Similarly many Bretons think of Brittany as separate from France. For this reason the
folenn 3
passage describes Brittany as part of the “French Hexagon” rather than of France
itself.
Dyskans tri KERNEWEK DRE LYTHER Tressa dyskans
folenn 1
Possession, yw and yma; to have)
Yowann ha Jenifer
Yowann a2 drig yn Truru gans y2 wreg ha’y2 deylu. Hanow y2 wreg yw Jenifer.
Yma dhedha mab, Peder y hanow, ha myrgh, Lowena hy hanow. Lowena yw pymthek
bloedh, ha Peder yw dewdhek bloedh. Yma aga skol yn Truru. Yowann yw gwerther lyvrow.
Yma dhodho gwerthji y’n2 dre. Ev a2 werth lyvrow kernewek ha keltek. Jenifer yw
skrifennyades. Yma soedhva Jenifer y’n2 dre ogas dhe2 werthji Yowann. Hi a ober rag
kowethas-surheans. Teylu pur lowen yns i !
Gerva
ha = and dhodho = with him

Truru = Truro yma dhodho = he has
gwreg (f.) = wife gwerthji = shop
teylu = family y’n = in the
hanow = name ev a2 werth = he sells
yma (see grammar) = is, there is lyvrow = books
dhedha = with them skrifennyades = secretary (f.)
yma dhedha = they have dhedhi = with her
mab = son yma dhedhi = she has
myrgh (f.) = daughter soedhva (f) = office
3
hy = her ogas dhe2 = near
pymthek = fifteen hi a ober = she works
bloedh = years old rag = for
dewdhek = twelve kowethas-surheans
3
aga = their = insurance company
skol (f)= school pur2 = very
gwerther-lyvrow = book-seller lowen = happy
yns i = they are
Govynnadow
All the answers except 3 and 4 can be copied from the passage. 3 and 4 should be modelled
on 2.
1) Ple trig Yowann? 5) Ple’ma (where is) aga skol ?
2) Pyth yw hanow y2 wreg ? 6) Pyth yw Yowann ?
3) Pyth yw hanow y2 vab ? 7) Pandr’a2 werth ev ?
4) Pyth yw hanow y2 vyrgh ? 8) Pyth yw Jenifer ?
9) Ple’ma hy soedhva ?
Gramasek.
Possession This is usually shown in English by an apostrophe s,
e.g. his wife’s name, Jenifer’s office, Yowann’s shop; though sometimes the word “of” is
used,
e.g. a seller of books, the Queen of England.
This second English method is the best guide to the Cornish way of showing
possession. The thing possessed is placed before the person/thing that possesses it, but there
is no word for “of”.
e.g. hanow y2 wreg = his wife’s name (name (of) his wife)
Dyskans tri KERNEWEK DRE LYTHER Tressa dyskans
folenn 2
soedhva Jenifer = Jenifer’s office (office Jenifer)
gwerthji Yowann = Yowann’s shop (shop Yowann)
Exercise 1 Translate the following into Cornish:

1) Yowann’s shop 6) Yann’s friend
2) Yowann’s wife 7) Lowena’s name
3) Jenifer’s son 8) Lowena’s letters
4) Jenifer’s daughter 9) Peder’s office
5) Yann’s books 10) Peder’s town
yw and yma Yw means ‘is’. Yma means ‘is’ or ‘there is’. Yma must be used to show where
a thing/person is. Yw shows who, what, or how it is. Yma usually starts the sentence.
e.g. Yma aga skol yn Truru. = There is their school in Truro;
(or, in more natural English), Their school is in Truro
Yma soedhva Jenifer y’n2 dre. = There is Jenifer’s office in the town.
( Jenifer’s office is in the town.)
Exercise 2 Translate the following into Cornish:

1) Yowann is in Cornwall. 6) Truro is in Cornwall.
2) Yann is in Brittany. 7) There is a Cornishman in the school.
3) Jenifer is in Truro 8) There is a school in Truro
4) Lowena is in the school. 9) Rennes is in Brittany.
5) Peder is in the shop. 10) Cornwall is in Britain.
‘To have’ A common way of expressing ‘have’ in Cornish is to use yma followed by dhe2
followed by the English subject, i.e. the person/thing that has something.
e.g. Yma gwreg dhe Yowann. = Yowann has a wife (There is a wife to Y.)
Yma soedhva dhe Jenifer = Jenifer has an office (There is an office to J.)
Exercise 3 Translate the following into Cornish

1) Yowann has a wife. 6) The secretary has some books.
2) Jenifer has an office. 7) Yowann has a shop.
3) Yann has (some) letters. 8) Yann has a friend.
4) Peder has a school. 9) Yowann has a pen-friend.
5) Lowena has a mother. 10) Jenifer has a son.
The word ‘some’ is omitted in Cornish
dhe combines with the words for ‘he’, ‘she’ and ‘they’ to form:
dhodho = to him
dhedhi = to her
dhedha = to them
so that ‘he has’ becomes yma dhodho, ‘she has’ becomes yma dhedhi,
‘they have’ becomes yma dhedha,
e.g. he has a daughter= yma myrgh dhodho.
Exercise 4 Translate the following into Cornish.
1) He has a daughter. 4) He has a shop.
2) She has a friend. 5) She has an office.
3) They have (some) books. 6) They have a correspondent.
Dyskans peswar KERNEWEK DRE LYTHER Peswara dyskans
folenn 1
(Definite article, mutation, “yma dhe”, word order, negative particle, “ny2”.)
Yann hag* Anjela
Yann a2 drig yn chi byghan ogas dhe’n mor. Pyskador yw Yann. Yma gwreg dhe Yann, Anjela
hy hanow. Hi a ober yn koffiji yn Sen Malo. Yma’n koffiji a-berth yn fosow an2 dre. Dhe Yann hag
Anjela yma mab ha myrgh. An mab yw Erwan ha’n2 vyrgh yw Marie. Erwan yw studhyer orth Pennskol
Roazhon ha Marie yw servyades y’n koffiji gans hy mamm. Pub mis po dew Yann a2 dhannvon lyther
dhe Yowann yn Kernewek. Ny2 woer Yann Sowsnek, ny2 woer Yowann na Frynkek na Bretonek.
Ny2 yllons kesskrifa marnas yn Kernewek.
*ha (“and”) adds “g” when followed by a vowel.
Gerva
chi : house pub : every

byghan:small mis : month
pyskador: fisherman po : or
koffiji : café dew : two
Sen Malo: St Malo a2 dhannvon : sends
a-berth yn : inside ny2 woer : does not know
fosow : walls na....na : neither...nor
studhyer : student ny2 yllons : they cannot
pennskol (f) : university kesskrifa : (to) correspond
Roazhon: Rennes (Breton form) mor : sea
servyades (f) : waitress
Govynnadow
(All the answers, except those marked* can be copied from the passage.)
1) Ple trig Yann?

2) Ple ma’n chi?
3) Pyth yw Yann?
4) Pyth yw hanow gwreg Yann?*
5) Pleth (where) ober Anjela?
6) Ple’ma’n koffiji?
7) Pyth yw hanow mab Yann hag Anjela?*
8) Pyth yw hanow myrgh Yann hag Anjela?*
9) Pyth yw Erwan?
10)Pandr’a2 dhannvon Yann dhe Yowann?
(“Pleth” is used instead of “Ple” before a vowel)

folenn 2
Gramasek
The Definite Article. In English this is the word “the”. In Cornish it is “an” and we have met it several
times already though often joined to the previous word:
e.g. y’n (in the); ha’n (and the)
This word always causes second state mutation in the following noun when it is feminine singular:
e.g. myrgh (daughter); an2 vyrgh (the daughter)

tre (town) : an2 dre (the town)
Exercise l. All the following nouns are feminine. Write “an2” in front of them making the second state
mutation where necessary, and then translate.
1) tre (2) myrgh (3) benyn (4) hwoer (5) servyades
6) gwreg (7) skrifennyades (8) bro (9) kowethes (female friend) (10) mammyeth
Negative particle “ny2”. This replaces “a2 ” before a verb when it is negative, i.e. when “not”, “does
not” etc. is used in English.
e.g. Yann ny2 woer Sowsnek :Yann does not know English.
Yowann ny2 woer Frynkek :Yowann does not know French.
Like “a2 ” it causes second state mutation.
When a sentence becomes negative it ceases to be a “nominal” sentence and becomes a

“verbal” one. In such sentences the verb ending alters to agree with or indicate the subject so that “ny2”
can be used in this way only when the subject is 3rd person singular, i.e. a singular noun or a 3rd person
singular pronoun. When the subject is not one of these it has to follow the noun. Verbal sentences will
be dealt with more fully later.
Exercise 2. Make the following sentences negative, i.e. replace the “a2 ” with “ny2 ” and then translate
into English. The mutation will remain in the second state,
e.g. Yowann a2 gews Frynkek>Yowann ny2 gews Frynkek =
Yowann does not speak French.
1) Yowann a2 drig ogas dhe Sen Malo.
2) Marie a ober y’n koffiji.
3) Anjela a2 dhannvon lyther dhe Yowann
4) Yann a2 werth lyvrow.
5) Jenyfer a2 gews Frynkek.
folenn 3
Although this is an simple way to make a nominal sentence negative it is not the most usual way. This in
fact is to use “ny2” in the same way but to put the subject after the verb.
e.g. Yowann a2 woer Bretonek> Ny2 woer Yowann Bretonek. =

Yowann does not know Breton.
Exercise 3. Using this method put the following sentences into the negative and translate.
1) Yowann a2 dhysk Frynkek.
2) Yann a2 skrif lytherow.
3) Anjela a2 woer Sowsnek.
4) Erwan a2 woer Kernewek.
5) Marie a2 skrif dhe Yowann.
More mutations. You will have noticed that a number of short words cause second state mutation. So
far we have met:
dhe2 (to, at); a2 (verb particle); ny2 (negative particle) y2 (his)
Exercise 4. Translate the following into Cornish keeping a special lookout for these mutations:
1) Wella lives near a café.
2) He speaks Breton.
3) His daughter learns Cornish.
4) His son works near a shop.
5) His wife does not know French.
6) He sends letters to Brittany.
7) The woman works in the café.
8) The secretary speaks English.
9) She speaks Cornish.
10) Yann does not learn English.
To have. We saw in dyskans 3 how the idea of having something is often expressed by “Yma....dhe”.
“Yma....gans” can be similarly used when there is a looser association rather than actual possession:
e.g. Yma ki gans Peder = Peter has a dog with him.
Like “dhe”, “gans” combines with pronouns to make (e.g.):

ganso = with him; gensi = with her; gansa = with them.
Exercise 5. Translate into Cornish:

1) He has a letter with him.
2) Yowann has some friends with him.
3) Anjela has Marie with her.
4) He has got the books with him.
folenn 4
5) Where are the letters? With Erwan.
Word order. Notice the sentence. “Pyskador yw Yann” This conveys the same information as “Yann
yw pyskador” i.e. “Yann is a fisherman” but placing the “pyskador” first emphasises this word - Yann
is a fisherman, nothing else. The flexibility of word order and the variable emphases that can be obtained
is a feature of Cornish.
Dyskans pymp KERNEWEK DRE LYTHER Pympes dyskans
(Revision.)
Translate the following sentences into Cornish, using only words and phrases that are used in
the lessons.
1) Yowann lives in Cornwall and Yann lives in Brittany.

2) Yowann speaks Cornish.
3) He goes to town.
4) Jenifer goes to town also.
5) My father is a Cornishman.
6) Peder is his son.
7) Brittany is governed by France.
8) Lowena only speaks English.
9) Yowann sends letters to Yann.
10) He is Yann’s correspondent.
11) Yowann’s wife works in an office.
12) She is a secretary.
13) Yowann and Jenifer have a son and daughter.
14) Yann and Anjela have a son and daughter also.
15) Yowann and Jenifer’s son is Peder.
16) Yann and Anjela’s son is Erwan.
17) Yann’s family lives near a town.
18) The wife and the daughter work in a café.
19) The father is a fisherman and the son is a student.
20) Yann does not learn English.
Skrif. (Composition.)
Using words, phrases etc. taken from the reading passages and questions in the first four
lessons, write an account of a family you know or can imagine. Your account should not be
less than ten sentences long.
Dyskans hwegh KERNEWEK DRE LYTHER Hweghves dyskans
folenn 1
(Past tense of Verbs, the Verb-Noun.)
Kynsa Lyther Yann.
A Yowann Ker,
My re2 dhegemmeras dha drigva dhiworth “K.D.L.” ha pur lowen ov vy dhe
skrifa dhis. Pyskador ov vy hag yma genev gwreg, Anjela hy hanow, mab, Erwan y hanow, ha
myrgh, Marie hy hanow. My a2 dhysk Kernewek gans “K.D.L.” ha my a2 wayt ty dhe2 alloes
konvedhes ow lyther. Ow mammyeth yw Bretonek, mes ny2 allav kewsel Bretonek marnas
gans ow3 howetha. Ow gwreg ha’n fleghes ny2 gewsons saw Frynkek. Skrif dhymm yn skon,
mar pleg.
Dhiso yn lel,
Yann le Bars.
Gerva.
A (Vocative particle, not translated) ty dhe2 alloes = that you can

ker = dear konvedhes = (to) understand
my =I lyther = letter
2
re dhegemmeras = have received mes = but
dha2 = your. ny2 allav = I cannot
(pronounce as Eng. “the”) kewsel = (to) speak
trigva (f) = address ha’n = and the
dhiworth = from fleghes = children
ov vy = am skrif dhymm = write to me
skrifa = (to) write yn skon = soon
dhis = to you mar pleg = please
yma genev = I have dhiso yn lel = yours sincerely
a2 wayt = hope ny2 gewsons saw = (they) only speak
ty = you
Govynnadow.
(Answer these questions in complete sentences as before. None of the answers can be “lifted”
from the passage but in many cases you can base most of the wording on the questions.)
1) Piw a skrif an lyther?

2) Piw re ros (has given) trigva Yowann dhe Yann?
3) Prag (Why) yth yw Yann pur lowen?
4) Piw yw Anjela?
5) Piw yw Erwan?
6) Piw yw Marie?
7) Fatell2 dhysk Yann Kernewek?
8) Py yeth a2 gews Anjela? (What language does Anjela speak?)
9) P’eur kews Yann Bretonek?
10) Pyth yw hanow teylu Yann?
folenn 2
Gramasek.
Past Tense of Verbs. “My re2 dhegemmeras” illustrates the common ending “-as” for the past
tense of verbs. It can be used with the usual particle “a2”
e.g. My a2 dhegemmeras = I received.
or with the perfect particle “re2”

e.g. My re2 dhegemmeras = I have received.
Similarly for verbs we have met so far:

My a2 drig = I live; My a2 drigas = I lived; My re2 drigas = I have lived.
My a2 gews = I speak; My a2 gewsis = I spoke; My re2 gewsis = I have spoken;
My a skrif = I write; My a skrifas = I wrote; My re skrifas = I have written;
My a2 werth = I sell; My a2 werthas = I sold; My re2 werthas = I have sold;
My a2 dhannvon = I send; My a2 dhannvonas = I sent;
My re2 dhannvonas = I have sent.
My a2 woer = I know. My a2 wodhva = I knew; My re2 wodhva = I have known.
(This verb is irregular)
A number of verbs end in “-is” instead of “-as” in the past tense:
e.g. My a2 gewsis = I spoke; Yann a2 gewsis = Yann spoke.
Remember these forms are used no matter what the subject is, so long as it starts the sentence
to form a nominal sentence.
e.g. Ni re skrifas = We have written; Yowann a oberas = John worked.
Exercise 1. Translate the following into Cornish, checking carefully with the above list.
1) He speaks. 6) Jenifer sent.
2) She spoke. 7) The Cornishman works.
3) Marie has spoken. 8) He has worked.
4) He has written. 9) Yann has lived in St. Malo.
5) I have sent. 10) She sold.
The negative particle “ny2” is similarly used with the past tense and replaces both “a2” and
“re2” to make the verb negative. There is no distinction in Cornish between the simple past
and the perfect when the verb is negative so that:
e.g. Yann ny skrifas = “Yann did not write.” and also “Yann has not written.”
Ny2 werthas Yann = “Yann did not sell.” and also “Yann has not sold.”
Negative sentences are not nominal but verbal, and usually emphasise the verb by
putting it in front of the subject. Also, the verb ending alters to agree with the subject. This is
why we have “gewsons” in the last but one line of the letter, because the subject (“Ow gwreg
ha’n fleghes”) is plural. When the subject comes first in a verbal sentence it carries some
degree of emphasis. However if a noun subject follows the verb, the verb stays singular. The
last but one sentence could have been, “Ny gews ow gwreg ha’n fleghes saw Frynkek.”
Exercise 2. Translate into Cornish. Remember that both the “have not” and the “did not”
sentences simply need “ny2” in front of the verb with the past tense ending, usually “-as”. Put
the subject first (e.g. “Ev ny2 gewsis = He did not speak”) in numbers 1 - 5, and after the verb
(e.g. “Ny2 dhannvonas hi = She did not send.”) in 6 - 10.
folenn 3
1) Yann has not written. 6) John has not sent.
2) Anjela did not speak. 7) Jenifer did not write.
3) The friend did not send. 8) The family has not written.
4) The Breton has not spoken. 9) The woman did not sell.
5) The Cornishman did not speak. l0) The sister has not spoken.
(You will observe that in this exercise all the subjects are third person singular as this is the
only verb ending we have so far learned.)
The Infinitive or Verb-Noun. (The term “infinitive” is the normal one in the grammar of
English and most European languages, but “Verb-Noun” or “Verbal Noun” is frequently used
in connection with Celtic languages.) In English this is the verb usually preceded by the
particle “to” e.g. “to speak,” “to write,” etc. However this is not the case in the example in
Yann’s letter. “Ny2 allav kewsel” = “I cannot speak” shows the verb noun “kewsel” and the
infinitive “speak” without its usual “to” though “I am able to speak.” is also possible in
English.
The Cornish verb-noun forms for the verbs we have met so far are:
kewsel = to speak, skrifa = to write, oberi = to work,

bos = to be, triga = to dwell, gwertha = to sell,
mos = to go, degemmeres = to receive, dyski = to learn,
godhvos = to know, dannvon = to send.
We have learned above “Ny2 allav,” the Cornish for “I cannot.” The Cornish for “I can” is
“Y5 hallav” so with this information we can now do the following exercise:
Exercise 3. Translate into Cornish.

(e.g. I can go = Y5 hallav mos; I cannot work = Ny2 allav oberi.)
1) I can sell. 6) I cannot write books.
2) I cannot go. 7) I can go to Brittany.
3) I cannot send. 8) I cannot be in Cornwall.
4) I can live in Gt. Britain. 9) I cannot live in France.
5) I can write the letter. 10) I can send the children.
“Y5 hallav” implies that “I can” because I am physically able or because I am allowed. If “I
can” implies that I have learned to do something it is more usual to use “Y5 hwonn, “ or “My
a2 woer,” both of which mean literally “I know (how to).” “My a2 woer” is nominal and
emphasises “I.” In the case of the verbal expression “Y5 hwonn,” the emphasis is neutral.
e.g. Y5 hwonn lywyas karr tan = I can drive a car.
My a2 woer lywyas karr tan = I can drive a car.
Exercise 4. Translate into Cornish using “Y5 hwonn,” or “My a2 woer.”

1) I can write English. 6) I can speak Breton.
2) I can speak Cornish. 7) I can read French.
3) I can read (redya) Breton. 8) I can write Cornish.
4) I can speak French. 9) I can speak French.
5) I can speak English. 10) I can speak Cornish.
The Verb-Noun is often used with an adjective (describing word)

folenn 4
e.g. I am sad to go. He is happy to stay.
In Cornish the verb-noun has the word “dhe2” in front of it in a sentence of this kind.
e.g. Lowen ov vy dhe skrifa dhis. = I am happy to write to you.
Trist yns i dhe2 vos. = They are sad to go.
Exercise 5. Translate the following into Cornish. Don’t forget that “dhe2” always causes
second state mutation.
1) I am happy to learn Cornish 6) They are happy to work.

2) I am sad to go away. 7) I am happy to speak Cornish.
3) They are happy to live in Truro. 8) They are sad to write letters.
4) They are sad to live in France. 9) I am happy to go to Brittany.
5) I am happy to sell books. 10) They are happy to be in
Yowann’s shop.
(to go away = mos dhe2 ves)
Dyskans seyth. KERNEWEK DRE LYTHER Seythves dyskans.
(Subject pronouns and combinations with “gans” and “dhe.”)
Gorthyp Yowann.
A Yann Ker,
Gonn meur ras dhis a’th lyther. Pur lowen ynwedh vydhav dhe2 gesskrifa genes.
Gwerther lyvrow ov vy gans gwerthji omma yn Truru. Hanow ow gwreg yw Jenifer hag yma
dhyn mab ha myrgh. Hanow an mab yw Peder ha hanow an 2 vyrgh yw Lowena. Ni a2 drig yn
chi ogas ha kilometer dhiworth kres an 2 dre.
Pur2 dhe les yw dha2 vos pyskador. Treweythyow my a2 breder y karsen gul neppyth
a’n par na yn kok war an mor. Da yw genev redya bos mab ha myrgh dhywgh hwi, kepar dell
eus mab ha myrgh dhyn ni. Agan fleghes a2 wra mos dhe skol y’n 2 dre.
Ow mammyeth yw Sowsnek heb mar. Nyns eus denvydh y’n eur ma ha ganso
Kernewek avel mammyeth, mes yma nebes teyluyow yn Kernow a2 dhysk Kernewek avel
mammyeth dh’aga fleghes.
Skrif dhymm arta mar pleg, ow leverel dhymm neppyth a’th ober ha neppyth moy
a’th teylu.
Gorhemmynnadow a’th kesskrifer lel,
Yowann Polglas.
Gerva.
Gonn meur ras dhis a’th lyther. = Thank you very much for your letter.
bos mab ha myrgh dhywgh hwi = that you have a son and daughter.
(dhywgh hwi = to you)
vydhav = I shall be
genes = with you
omma = here
ow3 = my.
genen = with us.
ni = we.
ogas ha = about (with number)
kilometer = kilometre.
kres = centre
dhe les = interesting
dha2 vos pyskador = that you are a fisherman
treweythyow = sometimes.
a2 breder = think.
(prederi = to think)
y karsen = I would like.
kara = to like/love.
gul = to do.
neppyth a’n par na = something like that.
ha ganso Kernewek avel mammyeth = with Cornish as his mother tongue
nebes = a few
teyluyow = families
avel = as
kok = fishing boat
KDL Dyskans seyth folenn 2
war2 = on
da yw genev = I am glad
redya = to read
2
kepar dell = as, like (followed by verb)
kepar dell eus mab ha myrgh dhyn ni = as we (too) have a son and daughter
yma nebes teyluyow a2 dhysk = there are some families that teach Cornish
ow leverel dhymm neppyth = telling me something
a’th ober = of your work
2
a dhysk = learn/teach
(dyski = to learn/teach)
agan = our
a wra mos = (do) go
heb mar = of course
nyns eus denvydh = there is no one
y’n eur ma = at the present time
aga3 = their
arta = again
moy a’th teylu = more about your family
gorhemmynnadow = greetings
Govynnadow.
(Answers 6 and 7 can be “lifted” from the letter. For the rest use the wording of the question
to guide you.)
1) Pyth yw Yowann? 5) Pyth yw mammyeth Yowann?

2) Ple’ma gwerthji Yowann? 6) Piw a2 gews Kernewek avel mammyeth?
3) Pyth yw hanow gwreg Yowann? 7) Piw a2 dhysk Kernewek avel mammyeth?
4) Ple trig Yowann ha Jenifer? 8) Pyth yw hanow teylu Yowann?
Gramasek.
Personal Pronouns. We have already met a number of these. Here is a complete list in the
subject case=-
my = I ni = we
ty = you (sing.) hwi = you (plural)
ev = he/it i = they
hi = she/it
(Modern English has only one word for “you” whether one person or more is addressed. Like
most other languages, Cornish has two words for “you,” “ty” for the singular form and “hwi”
for the plural. Sometimes this is used as a “polite form of address” for only one person but
this is dying out in modern use.)
These pronouns are used with the particles “a2” or “re2” as the subject of a nominal sentence.
e.g. My a2 gewsis = I spoke. Hi a2 woer = She knows.
Ev re skrifas = He has written.
Exercise 1. Translate the following into Cornish. The verb is always as shown in Dyskans 6.
1) I think. 6) You (p.) spoke.
2) We send. 7) We have lived.
KDL Dyskans seyth folenn 3
3) They have written. 8) He has sent.

4) She sells. 9) You (s.) write.
5) You (s.) worked. 10) She has spoken.
(We have not yet learned how to make sentences with pronoun subjects, like these, negative.
This will be dealt with later.)
“Gans” combined with personal pronouns We have seen examples of this:

e.g. genev = with me.
genes = with you.
genen = with us.
Here is now a list of all such combinations:

genev = with me. genen = with us.
genes = with you (sing.) genowgh = with you (plur.)
ganso = with him/it gansa = with them.
gensi = with her/it
Exercise 2. Translate the following into Cornish.

1) I have a daughter with me. 6) You have the books. (But don’t own them!)
2) She has a friend with her. 7) They have their sister with them.
3) We correspond with him. 8) I have their children (They’re not mine!)
4) The family is with us. 9) The fishing boat is with him.
5) Are you glad you read the letter? l0) The children are with us.
“Dhe” combined with personal pronouns. We have already met one or two examples of this,
such as “dhymm = to me,” and “dhis = to you.” Here is a complete list:
dhymm = to me dhyn = to us
dhis = to you (s.) dhywgh = to you (p.)
dhodho = to him/it dhedha = to them
dhedhi = to her/it
Pronouns may be added to these for greater emphasis, as is done in the letter.
e.g.
Da yw genev redya bos mab ha myrgh dhywgh hwi kepar dell eus mab ha myrgh dhyn ni. =
I am glad to read that you have a son and daughter, just as we have a son and daughter.
Exercise 3. Use these combinations to translate the following.

1) Write a letter to me. 6) They sent the books to us.
2) I wrote to you. 7) We have written to her.
3) We have a letter. (see Dysk. 3) 8) She has sent (to) us a letter.
4) Write to us please. 9) We have a son.
5) She has a letter. 10) He has a father and mother.
Dyskans eth KERNEWEK DRE LYTHER Ethves dyskans.
(“Gul” “Mos,” Numbers 1-10, Vocative Particle “A2 “.)
Anjela.
Dhe Anjela yma ‘dew vargh.’ Hi a2 wra devnydh anodho rag lavurya gans Marie
dhe’n koffiji yn Sen Malo. I a2 wra mos ena pub gorthugher, hag i a2 wra oberi y’n koffiji bys
yn eur dhiwedhes. An2 brenoryon y’n koffiji a2 wra leverel,
“Gorthugher da, Anjela. My a2 garsa eva korev, mar pleg.” po “My a2 garsa eva gwin
kemmyn, mar pleg.” po “My a2 garsa eva koffi, mar pleg.”
Anjela a2 worthyp,
“Pur2 dha, A2 vester.” (Pur2 gortes yw hi!)
Wor’tiwedh, Anjela ha Marie a2 wra dehweles tre. Gwag yw an chi. Yann res eth dhe2
byskessa. Treweythyow, pan nag usi ev ow pyskessa, ev a2 wra mos dhe’n koffiji y honan,
ha’n tri a2 wra kinyewel warbarth y’n koffiji, kyns i dhe2 dhehweles tre y’n karr-tan ha mos
dhe2 goska.
Gerva.
dew2 vargh = 2 c.v. car. pur2 dha = very well.

a2 wra = does/makes. A2 vester = sir.
devnydh = use. kortes = polite.
anodho = of it. wor’tiwedh = at last.
rag lavurya = (in order) to travel. a2 wra dehweles = return.
a2 wra mos = go. tre (f) = home.
ena = there. gwag = empty.
gorthugher = evening. res eth = has gone.
2
a wra oberi = work. pyskessa =- to fish.
bys yn = until. pan nag usi ev ow pyskessa
2
eur dhiwedhes = a late hour. = when he is not fishing.
an2 brenoryon = the customers.. y honan = himself
a2 wra leverel = say. tri = three.
2
Gorthugher da = Good evening. a wra kinyewel = dine.
my a2 garsa eva = I would like to drink warbarth = together.
2
korev = beer. kyns i dhe dhehweles
gwin = wine. = before they return.
kemmyn = ordinary karr-tan = motor car
(gwin kemmyn = vin ordinaire) ha mos dhe2 goska
koffi = coffee. = and go to sleep.
a2 worthyp = answers. p’eur5? = when?
Govynnadow.
(As always, answer in complete sentences. The question itself usually gives the best guide to
the wording of the answer.)
1) Py par karr tan eus dhe Anjela?

(What kind of car does Anjela have?)
2) Piw a2 wra devnydh an2 dhew vargh?
3) Piw a2 wra mos dhe Sen Malo gensi?
4) Piw a2 wra leverel “Gorthugher da!”?
5) Fatell2 worthyp Anjela dhedha?
6) P’eur5 hwra Anjela dehweles tre?
7) Fatell yw an chi?
KDL Dyskans eth folenn 2
8) Pandr’a2 wra Yann pan nag usi ow pyskessa?

9) Pandr’a2 wra Yann, Anjela ha Marie y’n koffiji?
10) Fatell2 wra an tri dehweles tre?
Gramasek.
The Vocative Particle “A2”. The use of this is optional before the name or title of a person
addressed=
e.g. A2 vester! Sir!
It causes second state mutation to common nouns and preceding adjectives but not to proper
nouns, i.e. individual names of people.
The verb “gul,” = to make/do. “a2 wra,” which appears frequently in this passage is the 3rd.
sing. present tense of “gul.”
e.g. Hi a2 wra devnydh. = She makes use.
Like the verb “do” in English, “gul” is used as an auxiliary verb to make alternative forms of
other verbs, by putting it in front of the verb noun,
e.g. I a2 wra mos. = They do go. (or “They go.”)

Ty a2 wra oberi. = You do work. (You work.)
Exercise 1. Using “a2 wra” plus verb-nouns, translate the following into Cornish
1) Anjela goes to St. Malo. 6) Yann fishes.
2) We speak Cornish. 7) Marie travels with Anjela.
3) The family works in the shop. 8) She likes the café.
4) Yowann writes in Cornish. 9) They live in Truro.
5) Erwan works in Rennes. 10) Yowann sells books.
So long as the subject is 3rd. sing, such sentences can be made negative by using “ny2” with
“wra” and putting the “ny2 wra” before or after the subject, though to put it before the subject
is more usual.
e.g. Ny2 wra Yann triga yn Truru.)

Yann ny2 wra triga yn Truru.) = Yann does not live in Truro.
Exercise 2. Translate the following into Cornish. Put “Ny2 wra” in front of the subject in
numbers 1-3, and after the subject in 4-5.
1) Peder does not work. 4) Erwan does not speak Breton.
2) Anjela does not fish. 5) The family does not write letters to Yowann.
3) Lowena does not sell books.
The verb “mos,” = “to go.” The 3rd person sing. present tense of “mos” is “a.” We met it in
Dyskans 1.
e.g. Ev a dhe2 glas. = He goes to a class.

The 3rd person sing. past tense occurs in this lesson:
KDL Dyskans eth folenn 3
e.g. Yann res eth dhe2 byskessa. = Yann has gone to fish.
Note carefully the following points=
1) The particle “a2” is omitted before “a” (= “goes”) and before “eth” (= “went.”) 2) The
perfect particle “re2” becomes “res” in front of “eth.”
3) The negative particle “ny2” becomes “nyns” in front of “a” and “eth.”
4) A verb-noun following a part of “mos” is preceded by “dhe2” as in the example
above.
Exercise 3. Using “a” and “eth” translate the following into Cornish=
1) Yowann goes to a class. 6) We go to the café.

2) Jenifer does not go to a class. 7) Peder has gone to school.
3) Yann has gone to fish. 8) Lowena has not gone to school.
4) Anjela has not gone to fish. 9) She has gone in the car.
5) He goes ro the shop. 10) Yann does not go in the car.
Numbers. We have met a few numbers already. Here are the numbers “one” to “ten.”
1. onan; unn. 6. hwegh.
2. dew; diw. 7. seyth.
3. tri; teyr. 8. eth.
4. peswar; peder. 9. naw.
5. pymp. 10. deg.
There are several points to notice:
1) “Onan” (= one) is used by itself, e.g. when counting, but it becomes “unn” when
followed by a noun which takes second state mutation if it is feminine.
e.g. unn mab = one son. unn2 vyrgh = one daughter.
2) “Dew2”, “tri3”, and “peswar” have the forms=
“diw2”, “teyr3,, and “peder” when followed by a feminine noun.
e.g. dew2 vab = two sons. diw2 vyrgh = two daughters.
tri mab = three sons. teyr myrgh = three daughters.
peswar mab = four sons. peder myrgh = four daughters.
3) When “dew ” and “diw ” are preceded by “an2” they take second state mutation
2 2
themselves.
e.g. an2 dhew2 vap = the two sons.
an2 dhiw2 vyrgh = the two daughters.
4) “tri3” and “teyr3” are followed by third state mutation.
e.g. tri3 har = three friends. teyr3 hartenn = three cards.
5) Any noun following a number stays in the singular.
e.g. unn lyther = one letter. pymp lyther = five letters.

1) Ten Cornishmen. 6) The two daughters.
2) Three sons. 7) Three cars.
3) Four daughters. 8) Three comrades.
4) One woman. 9) Two sons.
5) The two cafés. 10) One house.
Dyskans naw. KERNEWEK DRE LYTHER. Nawves dyskans.
(Days of Week, Time of Day, Use of “Ha.”)
Gwerthji Yowann.
Gwerthji Yowann yw byghan lowr. Ev a2 wra mos ena dhe naw eur, Dy’ Lun, Dy’
Meurth, Dy’ Mergher, Dy’ Yow, Dy’ Gwener, ha Dy’ Sadorn. Dy’ Sul, deges yw an gwerthji.
Pan yw bysi, Dy’ Sadorn, Lowena a2 wra mos ena rag y2 weres. Yowann a2 werth lyvrow
kernewek, lyvrow kembrek, lyvrow bretonek, ha lyvrow yn kever Kernow. Dy’gweyth, ha’n
fleghes yn skol, Yowann a2 wra mos dhe2 dhiwotti dhe unn eur dhe2 vetya orth Jenifer rag
dybri pasti ha kewsel Kernewek.
Yma bagas a2 dus a omguntell y’n diwotti ha kewsel Kernewek ganso, dyskador klas
Yowann y’ga mysk.
“Fatla genes, Jenifer?” yn-medh an dyskador.
“Yn poynt da, meur ras!” Jenifer a2 worthyp.
Dhe2 dhiw eur, an2 dus a2 wra mos dhe oberi arta. Dhe2 bymp eur, Yowann a2 wra
degea an gwerthji, ha mos tre.
Gerva.
byghan lowr = fairly small. diwotti = “pub.”

dhe naw eur = at nine o’clock. unn eur = one o’clock.
Dy’ Sul = Sunday. metya orth . to meet.
Dy’ Lun = Monday. . rag dybri . to eat.
Dy’ Meurth = Tuesday. . bagas . group
Dy’ Mergher = Wednesday. a2 dus . of people
Dy’ Yow = Thursday. a omguntell = who meet.
Dy’ Gwener = Friday. dyskador = teacher.
Dy’ Sadorn = Saturday. y’ga mysk = among them.
deges = closed. fatla genes? = how are you?
pan2 = when (not in question) yn-medh = says.
bysi = busy. yn poynt da = very well.
rag y2 weres = to help him. meur ras = thank you.
kembrek = Welsh. diw eur = two o’clock.
yn kever = about. an2 dus =the people.
dy’ gweyth = (on) a week day. pymp eur = five o’clock.
yn skol = in school. degea . to close.
ha’n fleghes yn skol py par? = what kind (of)?
= while the children are at school. py dydh? = what day?
Govynnadow.
(Most of these answers can be found in the passage to copy -or almost!)
1) Py par gwerthji yma dhe Yowann?
2) Py eur (What time) y5 hwra ev mos ena?
3) Py dydh yth yw an gwerthji deges?
4) Piw a2 wra mos ena Dy’ Sadorn?
5) Py par lyvrow y5 hwerth Yowann?
6) Pleth a Yowann dhe unn eur?
7) Piw a2 wra metya orth Yowann?
8) Pandr’a lever dyskador Yowann?
9) Pandr’a2 worthyp Jenifer?
KDL Dyskans naw folenn 2
10) Py eur y hwra Yowann degea an gwerthji
Gramasek.
Days of the Week. These are listed in the Gerva. Notice that the word “Dy’” usually precedes
the actual name. The word “On” as in, for example, “On Sunday” is usually left out=
e.g. Dy’ Lun On Monday.
Exercise 1. Translate the following into Cornish. The verb can be the simple form with “a2”
or “ny2” (dyskans 2) or the verb-noun with “a2 wra” or “ny2 wra.”
e.g. They go on Sunday. I a Dy’ Sul. OR

I a2 wra mos Dy’ Sul.
1) Yowann goes to the shop on Monday.

2) Jenifer does not work on Sunday.
3) We learn Cornish on Saturday and Sunday.
4) The people go to the shop on Tuesday.
5) Anjela goes to the café on Thursday.
6) Yann goes to fish on Monday.
7) Lowena goes to the shop on Saturday.
8) We write letters on Wednesday.
9) We send the letters on Thursday.
10) The child does not go to school on Sunday. (The child = An flogh)
Time of Day. at one o’clock = dhe unn eur.

at two o’clock = dhe2 dhiw eur.
at four o’clock = dhe2 beder eur.
at midnight = dhe hanternos.
at midday = dhe hanter-dydh.
Exercise 2. Translate the following into Cornish with the verb as in exercise 1.
1) He goes to the shop at nine o’clock.

2) They go to the pub at, midday.
3) Yann goes to the café at ten o’clock.
4) We go to Truro at seven o’clock.
5) She goes to school at eight o’clock.
6) I go to the office at ten o’clock.
7) Peder goes to fish at three o’clock.
8) Anjela goes home at midnight.
9) They go to the pub at one o’clock.
10) They go to work at two o’clock.
Use of “Ha.” “Ha” (and) can introduce phrases which are best rendered in English by a
clause starting with “while” or “when.”
e.g. Ha’n fleghes yn skol, Yowann a2 wra mos dhe dhiwotti.

= While the children are at school, Yowann goes to a pub.
Ha Yowann y’n gwerthji, yma Jenifer y’n soedhva.

= While Yowann is in the shop, Jenifer is in the office.
KDL Dyskans naw folenn 3
1) While the children are at school, Jenifer works in the office.

2) While the people are in the shop, Yowann sells books to them.
3) When Jenifer is happy, Yowann works well (yn5 ta.)
4) While they are in Cornwall, Yowann and Jenifer are happy.
5) When Jenifer is in the office, she does not speak Cornish
Dyskans deg. KERNEWEK DRE LYTHER. Degves dyskans.
(Revision)
Translate the following sentences into Cornish.
1) A Breton friend wrote to Yowann.

2) Yowann is a Cornishman. He lives in Cornwall.
3) Yowann’s wife is in her office.
4) The French woman does not speak Breton.
5) Camborne (Kammbronn) is near Redruth.
6) Yowann and Jenifer have a son and a daughter.
7) My friend spoke Cornish with me.
8) Yowann has not written his letter to Yann.
9) I cannot sell his books.
10) I can speak and write Cornish.
11) We sent Peter to school in Truro.
12) She does not work in the café on Sunday.
13) Anjela goes to the café in the 2 c.v. and Marie goes with her.
14) We correspond with them.
15) They have a bookshop and a car.
16) She has a small house in Truro.
17) The children work at school.
18) They like the teacher.
19) We have gone to buy a car.
20) The two boys and the three friends go to fish on Wednesday.
(boy = maw (p) mebyon)

(to buy = prena)
Skrif.
Write a letter in Cornish modelled on those in Dyskans 6 and/or 7, telling your

penfriend as much as you can about yourself, your family, your work etc. This need
not be factual, of course. If you cannot describe your job in Cornish, temporarily join
one of the professions that have been mentioned in the course!
Dyskans unnek KERNEWEK DRE LYTHER Unnegves dyskans
(“Dhe2” with “gul” and preceding object; Plural of Nouns; Adjectives with Masculine Plural
Nouns; Present Participle; Use of “Ha”; Word Order.)
Dy’ Sul.
Dy’ Sul, Erwan re2 dhrehedhas tre rag an2 bennseythun. Pur skwith yw ev wosa
studhya y’n2 Bennskol dres an seythun. Yethow keltek a2 wra ev dhe studhya, an yeth2
vretonek, an yeth kembrek ha’n yeth kernewek Unnek eur myttinweyth yw hi.
Anjela: Erwan, esosta ow sevel hedhyw? Unnek eur yw!
Yann : Gas ev dhe 2 goska. Owth oberi yth esa bys yn diw eur myttinweyth. Res yw
dhodho ri dew skrif hir dh’y2 dhyskador a-vorow.
Marie : Pur2 dhiek yw ev. Prag na2 wrug ev y skrifow kyns? Nans yw unn mis y5 feu
leverys dhodho aga gul.
Anjela: Yv dha2 goffi, Marie. Pur2 vysi yw Erwan. Skrifennyas Kowethas Bretonek
an2 Bennskol yw ev lemmyn.
Marie : Dar! Pur 2 vysi yw ev ow kwari peldroes yn le studhya!
Yann : Na2 wra argya yn y2 gever. Ottava lemmyn.
Erwan : Myttin da, oll an bys! Eus koffi? Pur skwith ov vy. Lyver my re2 gollas.
Angela: Py lyver?
Erwan : Lyver sowsnek yn kever Kernewek.
Marie : Ottava gans dha lyvrow erell war-lergh an2 bellwolok.
Gerva.
drehedhes = to reach. hir = long
tre = home. a-vorow = tomorrow.
pennseythun(f) = weekend. diek = lazy.
skwith = tired. prag na2 wrug ev? = why didn’t he do?
wosa = after. skrifow = essays
studhya = to study. kyns = before
5
wosa studhya = after studying. y feu leverys dhodho = he was told
dres = during. aga gul = to do them
seythun (f) = week. nans yw unn mis = a month ago.
yethow = languages. yv dha2 goffi = drink your coffee.
yeth (f) = language. skrifennyas = secretary (male)
unnek = eleven. lemmyn = now.
myttinweyth = in the morning. Dar! = Rubbish!
4
esosta ow sevel? = are you getting up? ow kwari = playing.
hedhyw = today. peldroes = football.
gas ev dhe2 goska. = let him sleep. yn le = instead of.
2
owth oberi yth esa = he was working. na wra argya = don’t quarrel.
bys yn = until. yn y2 gever = about him.
res yw dhodho = he has to. ottava = here he is.
ri = (to) give. myttin da! = good morning!
skrif = writing, essay. oll an bys = everybody.
eus koffi? = is there any coffee? my re2 gollas = I have lost.
pur skwith ov vy = I am very tired. (kelli = to lose.)
KDL Dyskans unnek folenn 2
erell = other (plural) henwyn = names.

war-lergh = behind. soedh (f) = job, position.
pellwolok (f) = television. herwydh = according to.
ro! = give! (imperative) kellys = lost.
Govynnadow.
(No further hints will be given on how to answer the questions. You will have realised that
sometimes an answer can be found complete in the passage, sometimes just a word or two
needs to be changed, sometimes the wording of the answer can be found in the question
with just a few words taken from the passage. The main thing is to use common sense to
seek out this help that is available rather than thinking up (in English!) an entirely different
answer, and then wondering why we cannot put it into Cornish! It is always best to give a
written answer in the form of a sentence, and this gives practice in writing Cornish, which
will help towards fluency in speech also.)
1) Py dydh y5 trehedhas Erwan tre?

2) Prag yth yw ev skwith?
3) Pandr’a2 wra ev dhe studhya? (See “Gramasek,” first section)
4) Ro henwyn teyr yeth keltek.
5) Py eur yw pan elow (calls) Anjela dhe Erwan?
6) Prag y5 hwrug Erwan oberi bys yn diw eur myttinweyth?
7) P’eur 5 feu leverys dhe Erwan gul an2 dhew skrif?
8) Pyth yw soedh Erwan y’n2 Bennskol?
9) Prag yth yw pur2 vysi, herwydh Marie?
10) Ple’ma’n lyver kellys?
Gramasek.
“Dhe ” with “gul” and preceding object. “Yethow keltek a2 wra ev dhe studhya.” This
2
sentence starts with the object “yethow keltek” to give it some emphasis, and “gul” is used
as an auxiliary verb. In such a case “dhe2” is inserted before the verb noun “studhya.”
Question 3 is another example of this where the preceding object is the interrogative
pronoun “Pandra?” -”What?” Other examples are:
Kernewek a2 wra ev dhe2 dhyski. = He learns Cornish.

Y lytherow a2 wra hi dhe redya = She reads his letters.
Pandr’a2 wra ev dhe leverel? = What does he say?
Exercise 1. Translate the following into Cornish as in the above examples by putting the
object first and using “gul” as an auxiliary followed by “dhe2” and the verb noun to express
the English verb.
3) He sells books.
1) He learns Cornish.
2) He drinks beer.
5) He reads Cornish books.
4) What does he read?
(
Of course, such sentences can also be expressed with a more neutral emphasis by putting
the subject first:
e.g.. Ev a2 wra dyski Kernewek = He learns Cornish.
Question 3 may be answered by either method.
Plural of Nouns. In English, the vast majority of nouns are made plural by adding s or es.
e.g.. Boy - boys; girl - girls; glass - glasses; dish - dishes. though one or two very
common nouns preserve the older ending “-en.”
e.g.. child - children; woman - women, and we have one or two oddities like:
e.g.. mouse - mice; goose - geese.
Unfortunately, the plural of Cornish nouns is not so simple and we have to be familiar with
the plural form of each noun as it comes. However, there are some fairly common endings
such as “-ow” which we have met in this lesson in:
yeth (language); yethow (languages): skrif (essay); skrifow (essays)
Here is a list of most of the nouns we have met so far in singular and plural. They are
masculine, except those marked (f).
Singular. Plural. Meaning.

Kernow Kernowyon Cornishman
bro (f) broyow country
esel eseli member
kowethas kowethasow society
rann (f) rannow part
lyther lytherow letter
kesskrifer kesskriforyon correspondent
kar kerens friend
gwreg (f) gwragedh wife
teylu teyluyow family
hanow henwyn name
mab mebyon son
myrgh (f) myrghes daughter
skol (f) skolyow school
gwerthji gwerthjiow shop
soedhva (f) soedhvaow office
chi chiow house
pyskador pyskadoryon fisherman
fos (f) fosow wall
studhyer studhyoryon student
pennskol (f) pennskolyow university
mis misyowmonth
trigva (f) trigvaow address
Singular. Plural. Meaning.

flogh fleghes child
gorthyp gorthybow answer
kok kokow fishing boat
ober oberow job
karr tan kerri tan motor car
diwotti diwottiow “pub”
den tus man (p1.= “people”)
dyskador dyskadoryon teacher
lyver lyvrow book
It is not suggested that you should learn all these now, but the following exercise should help
start the process!
Exercise 2 Write out the above nouns in singular and plural, with “an” in front. Remember
this causes second state mutation of all feminine singular nouns, and all masculine plural
nouns referring to persons.
Adjectives with Masculine Plural Nouns. Masculine plural nouns referring to persons also
cause second state mutation in any adjective immediately following them.
e.g.. An2 dus2 vysi = the busy men.

fleghes2 vyghan = little children.
In the following exercise, all the nouns are masculine, but they do not all refer to persons:
1) The big books. 6) The Breton students.

2) The little men. 7) The ordinary house.
3) The Welsh boys. 8) The Cornish correspondent.
4) The Cornish fishermen 9) The little friends.
5) The little shops. 10) The busy teachers.
The Present Participle. This is a verbal adjective, and in English ends in “-ing.”
e.g.. a man walking. a woman talking. a boy running.

In Cornish it is formed by putting the particle “ow4” in front of the Verb-Noun. “Owth” is
used if the verb-noun starts with a vowel or h.
e.g.. den ow4 kwertha = a man selling.
benyn ow kewsel = a woman speaking.
1) A man sending a letter. 6) My friend working in a shop.

2) A boy reading a book. 7) A Cornishman thinking.

3) A woman talking with me. 8) A secretary writing a letter.
4) A teacher teaching Cornish. 9) Anjela saying “Good Morning!”
5) A fisherman eating. 10) Erwan studying Celtic languages.
“Ha” (and) can be used with the present participle to express an action taking place at the
same time as the main action.
e.g.. Hag Erwan ow4 kwari peldroes, yma Marie owth oberi. =
While Erwan is playing football, Marie is working.
Hag ev ow4 tos a-berth y’n stevell, Anjela a ros koffi dhodho. =
As he came into the room, Anjela gave him some coffee.
(This is essentially the same construction as that described in dyskans 9 under “Ha,” where
the verb “to be” is understood.)
1) While she was working, Anjela received a letter.

2) As she was reading the letter, Yann arrived home.
3) While we study, we learn.
4) When he is selling books, Yowann is happy.
5) While you live in Cornwall, you speak Cornish.
Prepositions and Verb-Nouns. Prepositions usually show the relationship between one
thing/person/action/idea and another.
e.g.. The book is on the chair. He went without speaking. He came after me.
In English, the kind of verb-noun used (sometimes called a “gerund”) ends in -ing just like
the present participle mentioned above, and care must be taken not to confuse the two.
e.g.. after going; by telephoning; before eating.
In Cornish the form of the verb to use after a preposition is always the Verb-Noun.
e.g.. wosa mos = after going; kyns pellgewsel = before ’phoning; rag dybri = for eating;
heb koska = without sleeping.
1) After sleeping. 6) Without working.

2) Before writing. 7) Before saying.
3) Without speaking. 8) Without thinking.
4) After going. 9) After selling.
5) For reading. 10) Before studying.
Word Order. There are a number of examples in the reading passage in this lesson showing
how Cornish can emphasise a word by putting it first in the sentence.
e.g. Pur skwith yw ev. = He is very tired.
It is quite correct to say, “Ev yw pur skwith,” but this suggests “He is very tired.” whereas
“Pur skwith yw ev,” suggests “He is very tired.”
“Lyver my re2 gollas” = “I have lost a book.”
This puts a main emphasis on “lyver” and a secondary emphasis on “my”.
Notice the effect of word order as you study Cornish. Caradar considered flexibility
of word order and the variable emphasis that it can produce to be a main feature of the
language.
Skrif.
Write an account of not less than ten sentences on a day/morning/afternoon/evening at home

or with friends. Invent some if you need to do so! The golden rule for writing in a language
with which we are not very familiar is to use words and phrases that we know. This is not
the time for finding out new ones.
Dyskans dewdhek KERNEWEK DRE LYTHER Dewdhegves dyskans
(Verbal sentences. Short and Long forms of “bos”.)
Lyther Yann.
A Yowann Ker,
Fatla genes ha gans an teylu? My a2 dhegemmeras dha lyther nans yw nebes

seythunyow, ha gonn meur ras dhis anodho. My re beu ow pyskessa dres an mis usi
passyes ha nyns esa chons dhymm dhe skrifa dhis. Ni a2 gemmeras myns bras a2
buskes, ha lemmyn yma genev seythun a2 bowes kyns mos dhe2 ves arta. Rag henna,
yma chons da dhymm dhe skrifa lytherow ha gul traow erell.
Teylu pur unnys ha lowen on ni, mes kales yw bos warbarth ha my ow
pyskessa hag Erwan ow studhya dhe’n2 Bennskol. Hedhyw yth esov vy tre, hag yma
Erwan tre ynwedh. Ass yw dydh lowen! Yth eson ni ow spena an termyn ow kewsel
warbarth. Fatell esowgh hwi yn Kernow ow spena dy’ Sul? Chi nessa, ymons i ow
mires orth an2 bellwolok pub eur oll, mes omma ni a2 gar keskewsel yn kever agan
bywnans dy’gweyth.
Skrif dhymm arta, mar pleg,
Dha2 gar,
Yann.
Gerva.
seythun (f) (p) seythunyow = week. Ass yw dydh lowen!
My re beu = I have been. = What a happy day it is!
passyes = which has passed. yth eson = we are.
esa = was spena = to spend (time)
chons (p) chonsyow = chance. termyn = time.
myns = quantity. ow kewsel = talking.
bras = large. fatell esowgh hwi ow spena? =
pysk (p) puskes = fish. how are you spending?
powes = rest. chi nessa = next door.
2
dhe ves = away. mires orth = to look at.
rag henna = therefore. pub eur oll = all the time.
tra (f) traow = thing. keskewsel = to converse
arall (p) erell = other. . bywnans = life.
unnys = united. pygemmys? = how many?
on ni = we are. kemmeres = to catch.
kales = hard. dydh (p) dydhyow = day.
bos = to be. an jydh = the day.(special
yth esov = I am. mutation)
Govynnadow.
1) P’eur5 tegemmeras Yann lyther Yowann?

2) Prag na2 worthybis Yann kyns?
3) Pygemmys puskes a2 gemmeras Yann?
KDL Dyskans dewdhek folenn 2
4) Pandr’a2 wra Yann dhe2 wul hag ev tre?

5) Prag yth yw kales dhe’n teylu bos warbarth?
6) Py dydh yw an teylu warbarth?
7) Prag yth yw an jydh lowen?
8) Fatell2 wra an teylu spena an termyn?
9) Pandr’a2 wra an2 dus dhe wul chi nessa?
10)Piw a skrif an lyther?
Gramasek.
So far we have noted the following points on Nominal Sentences:
1) The subject, noun or pronoun, is followed by a verbal particle and both

come before the verb.
2) The verb is always 3rd person singular. For this the past tense of the
verb usually ends in “-as” or “-is.”
3) The Verbal particle is “a2” for the present and past tenses and “re2” for
the perfect tense. (I have sold, etc.)
4) The verb “gul” (to do) plus the verb noun can be used as an
alternative.
These sentences are used to make simple affirmative statements with some
degree of emphasis on the subject.
Verbal Sentences. If the subject is not to be emphasised we may use a Verbal

Sentence in which the form or ending of the verb varies to agree with the subject, if a
pronoun, but if a noun, is always 3rd. sing. The subject follows the verb. In negative
sentences the subject may come first for emphasis. If such a subject is a plural noun,
the verb is also plural. If a plural noun subject follows the verb the verb is singular.
The verb “bos” (to be) is commonly used in this way and there are several
examples in this lesson. It has Short and Long forms.
Short forms of “bos”, Present Tense.
ov vy (oma) = I am. on ni = We are.

os jy (osta) = You are. owgh hwi = You are.
yw ev (ywa) = He is/It is. yns i = They are.
yw hi (ywi) = She is/It is
In each case, the pronoun (I, You, He, etc) follows the actual verb (am, are, is). The
forms in brackets are combinations of the verb with the pronoun which are frequently
used.
All these pronouns are optional as the actual form of the verb is sufficient to
make the meaning clear. However, their use is very common. Notice that the first two
are not the same as the list given in dyskans 7. Pronouns which follow the verb are
called Suffixed Pronouns.
e.g. Lowen on ni. = We are happy.

Pyskador yw ev. = He is a fisherman.
These examples show how the noun or adjective that forms the rest of short sentences
like these (called the “complement”) comes in front of the verb. Do the following
exercise in the same way.
Exercise 1. Translate the following into Cornish:
1) They are happy. 6) You (p) are Breton.

2) You (s.) are a student. 7) He is Yann.
3) She is a secretary. 8) She is Anjela.
4) I am a Cornishman. 9) I am his father.
5) They are Welsh. 10) We are Celtic.
In such sentences there is some degree of emphasis on the complement. It is

also possible to start with the verb and subject and follow these with the complement,
making the emphasis more neutral. In this case the particle “Yth” comes before the
verb;
e.g. Yth ov vy pyskador. = I am a fisherman.
Yth on ni Kernowyon. = We are Cornish people.
Exercise 2. Repeat exercise 1, using the “Yth - verb - subject - complement” pattern,
as shown in the examples.
These examples tell us who/what/how a person or thing is. This is how the
short forms of “bos” are used. They cannot be used to say where something/someone
is, or what he/she/it is doing. To do this we need:-
The Long forms of “bos.”
yth esov vy (esoma) = I am. yth eson ni = We are.

yth esos jy (esosta) = You are. yth esowgh hwi = You are.
yma ev = He/It is. ymons i = They are.
yma hi = She is.
Again, the contracted forms in brackets are commonly used alternatives.
The long forms show where a person/thing/place is.
e.g. Yth esov vy y’n lowarth. = I am in the garden.

Yth eson ni y’n gwerthji. = We are in the shop.
Yn Truru yma ev. = He is in Truro.
As will be seen, the verb with its particle and subject can go before or after the
prepositional phrase showing where. The “yth” must be there in both cases, but “yma”
and “ymons” do not have “yth” in front.
Exercise 3. Translate the following into Cornish. The choice of the two word orders is
yours. If the place is put first there is slightly more emphasis on this.
1) He is in Cornwall. 6) You are in the car.

2) She is in Brittany. 7) He is with her.
3) We are in England. (Pow Sows) 8) She is next door.
4) I am with Lowena. 9) It is in the book.
5) They are in the café. 10) It is near the café.
The long forms are also used with “ow4” and the verb-noun, forming the present
participle (dyskans 11) to show what some one is doing.
e.g. Yth esov ow skrifa. = I am writing.

Yma hi ow kewsel. = She is speaking.
Owth eva ymons i. = They are drinking.
Again, we have a similar choice as to word order, which you may use
in the following exercise.
1) We are selling books. 4) She is learning Breton.

2) He is speaking Cornish. 5) You are fishing.
3) I am reading a book.
If the subject is a noun following the verb, “yma” (sing.) is used

whether the noun is singular or plural.
e.g. Yma Yowann owth oberi. = Yowann is working.

Yma’n2 byskadoryon y’n kok. = The fishermen are in the boat.
1) The teachers are working in the school. 4) The friends are in the car.
2) The children are working too. 5) The people are talking to (with) the
3) The letters are in the office. children.
If a noun subject precedes the verb, “yma” is used if the noun is singular and
“ymons” if plural. The corresponding subject pronoun may sometimes follow the verb
because this is the true subject, the noun in front being there just to attract emphasis.
e.g. Anjela yma (hi) ow mos dhe’n koffiji. = Anjela is going to the café.
An fleghes ymons (ymons i) ow redya. = The children are reading.
Exercise 6. Translate the following, putting the noun subject first. The use of “ymons”
or “ymons i” is optional.
1) The friends are talking.

2) Yann and Anjela are watching the television.
3) The men are sleeping.
4) The children are in the school.
5) The books are behind the television.
Dyskans trydhek KERNEWEK DRE LYTHER. Trydhegyes dyskans.
(Demonstrative Pronouns. “yn-medh,” “eus,” “war2” with pronouns.)
An Klas Gorthugher.
Dy’ Yow yw, ha Yowann ha Jenifer a dhe’n skol nowydh y’n2 dre. Ena, yma
klasys gorthugher yn lies mater, Sowsnek, Frynkek, Spaynek, Almaynek, Jynnskrifa,
Art, Gul kanstellow, hag erell, y’ga mysk, Kernewek. Yowann re sewenas y’n
apposyans kynsa gradh, hag ev a dhe’n klas nessa gradh. Dallethores yw Jenifer ha hi
a dhe’n klas rag dallethoryon. Yma neb deg studhyer y’n klas.
Yma dhe’n dyskador moes2 veur ha lies tra warnedhi. Yma aval, lo, pluvenn,
hanaf, bleujenn, ha kanstell. Ev a2 dhiskwa an2 bluvenn dhe’n klas.
“Pyth yw hemma?” yn-medh ev.
“Pluvenn yw honna,” yn-medh Tamsin.
“Pur2 dha,” yn-medh an dyskador. “Ha pyth yw hemma?”
“Kanstell yw honna,” yn-medh Hykka ha Jori.
“Ha pyth yw hemma?” yn-medh an dyskador, ow tiskwedhes an hanaf.
“Gwedrenn yw honna,” yn-medh Jenifer.
“Nag yw!” yn-medh an klas ow hwerthin.
“Dhe2 wir, nag yw,” yn-medh an dyskador. “Hanaf ywa, Jenifer!” Yma’n
studhyoryon erell ow hwerthin. hwath. “A ny2 wodhesta pyth yw hanaf, Jenifer?” yn-
medhons i!
Gerva.
nowydh = new.. hanaf (p) hanafow = cup.

lies (followed by sing. noun) = many. bleujenn (f) (p) bleujennow = flower.
mater = (school) subject. kanstell (f)(p) kanstellow = basket
Spaynek = Spanish. diskwedhes = to show
Almaynek = German. hemma (f) homma = this.
jynnskrifa = typing. henna (f) honna = that.
gul kanstellow = basket making yn-medh = says.
y’ga mysk = including. Tamsin = girl’s name.
seweni = to succeed. Hykka = boy’s name.
apposyans = examination. Jori = boy’s name.
kynsa gradh = first grade. gwedrenn (f) (p) gwedrennow
nessa = second. = drinking glass.
dallethores (f) = beginner.(f) nag yw = it is not.
dallethoryon = beginners. hwerthin = to laugh.
2
neb deg = about ten. dhe wir = indeed, really.
moes (f) (p) moesow = table. hwath = still.
warnedhi = on it. yn-medhons i = they say.
aval (p) avalow = apple. a ny wodhesta? = don’t you know?
lo (f) (p)loyow = spoon. ynno = in it.
pluvenn (f) (p) pluvennow = pen. ev a dhiskwa = he shows
KDL dyskans trydhek folenn 2
Govynnadow.
1) Py dydh a Yowann ha Jenifer dhe’n klas gorthugher?

2) Py par skol yw hi?
3) Py apposyans a sewenas Yowann ynno?
4) Piw yw dallethores?
5) Pygemmys studhyoryon eus y’n klas?
6) Pyth eus dhe’n dyskador?
7) Py traow eus war an2 voes?
8) Piw a lever hanow an2 bluvenn?
9) Pandr’a2 dhiskwa Hykka ha Jon?
10) Piw yw na2 woer pyth yw hanaf?
Gramasek.
Demonstrative pronouns singular.

hemma (m) - this (one) (replaces masc. noun.)
homma (f) = this (one) (replaces fem. noun.)
henna (m) = that (one) (replaces masc. noun.)
honna (f) = that (one) (replaces fem. noun.)
(As M comes before N in the alphabet, so we think of “this” before “that.” M - N :

hemma - henna : this - that.)
e.g. Lyver yw hemma. = This is a book. (Lyver - masc.)

Moes yw homma. = This is a table (Moes - fem.)
Aval yw henna. = That is an apple (Aval - masc.)
Pluvenn yw honna. = That is a pen. (Pluvenn - fem.)
Exercise 1 Translate the following into Cornish as in the above examples.
1) This is Yowann’s shop.

2) This is Anjela’s café.
3) This is a basket.
4) That is a beginner.
5) That is Yowann’s teacher.
This word order may be reversed giving some change of emphasis.

When followed by “yw” the pronouns drop their final “a”.
e.g. Hemm yw lyver. = This is a book.
Homm yw moes. = This is a table.
Exercise 2 Translate the following into Cornish, starting with the pronoun, as in the
examples.
1) This is Erwan.
2) That is Marie.
KDL Dyskans trydhek folenn 3
3) That is Yann’s boat.

4) This is my father.
5) This is my mother.
Yn-medh. This is used with direct speech inside quotation marks (speech marks) to
mean “says” or “said.” Its subject, which must follow, may be a singular pronoun:
e.g. “Pyth yw hemma?” yn-medh ev = “What is this?” he says/said.
OR a noun, singular or plural:

2
e.g. “Pur dha,” yn-medh an dyskador.” = “Very good,” says/said the teacher.
“Nag yw,” yn-medh an studhyoryon.” = “It isn’t,” say/said the students.
Yn-medhons i. = “They say/said.” This plural form is used only with the third person
plural pronoun “i” (they):
e.g. “A ny2 wodhesta pyth yw hanaf?” yn-medhons i. =

“Don’t you know what a cup is?” they say/said.
1) “What is this?” said the teacher.

2) “This is an apple.” said Yowann.
3) “This is a pen,” she said.
4) “That is a letter.” he said.
5) “This is a basket.” said Angela.
6) “Good morning,” said the man.
7) “Good evening,” said the waitress.
S) “Very good,” they said.
9) “Indeed, it is not.” he said.
10) “Where is the apple?” they said.
Eus. “Is/is there.” This word is used in place of “Yma” (= is/there is) if the sentence
is a question or negative, or in reply to a question:
e.g.
Eus kres? Eus. = Is there peace? There is. (i.e. Yes.)
Nag eus, nyns eus kres. = There is not, (i.e. No,) there is not peace.
There is no actual word for “yes” or “no,” so these words are expressed as shown in
the examples.
If “eus” is used in a simple negative statement, “Nyns” is used before the
“eus.”:
e.g. Nyns eus aval y’n2 ganstell. = There is not an apple in the basket.
If it is used just to indicate “No.” in answer to a question, “Nag eus” is used:

e.g. Eus lyther gans an lytherwas? Nag eus. = Does the postman have a letter? No.
Answers beginning: “Yes, there is/are...” or “No, there is not/are not...”

are expressed as in the following examples:
e.g. Eus, yma gwin y’n2 wedrenn. = Yes, there is some wine in the glass.
Eus, yma bara y’n gegin. = Yes, there is some bread in the kitchen.
Nag eus, nyns eus lyther dhe’n lytherwas. =
No, the postman does not have a letter.
Nag eus, nyns eus lyvrow da yn gwerthji Yowann =
No, there are not any good books in Yowann’s shop.
1) What does the teacher have?

2) What things are on the table?
3) Is there a school in Truro? Yes.
4) Is there a book in the house?
5) What is there in the café?
6) No, there is no beer in the pub.
7) Are there any apples in the basket? No.
8) No, there is no wine in the glass.
9) Yes, there is some coffee in the cup.
10) Is there a letter today? Yes.
Use of “usi” Notice: “Usi an bara ryb an pott te? = “Is the bread by the tea pot?”
“Usi” is used, not “eus” because “an bara” is definite, in other words, because
it is “the bread” not just “some bread,” which would be indefinite, and the “an” would
be omitted. So, to give the answer:
“No, the bread is by the sugar,” we would say:

“Nag usi, yma’n bara ryb an sugra.”
Compare this with: “Eus oy dhe’n yar ma?”

= “Does this hen have an egg?”
“Oy” = “An egg” is indefinite and “eus” is used as explained above. So, to answer
“Yes, this hen does have an egg”, we say,
“Eus, yma oy dhe’n yar ma.”
1) Is the sugar in the tea?

2) No, the sugar is not in the tea.
3) Is the apple in the basket?
4) Yes the apple is in the basket.

5) No, the teacher is not on the table!
“War” (on) and “yn” (in). Like “gans” and “dhe2” (Dyskans.7) these two prepositions
combine with personal pronouns as shown in the table below:
warnav = on me. ynnov = in me.

warnas = on you (s). ynnos = in you (s).
warnodho = on him/it ynno = in him/it.
warnedhi = on her/it ynni = in her/it.
warnan = on us. ynnon = in us.
warnowgh = on you (p). ynnowgh = in you (p).
warnedha = on them ynna = in them.
1) Is there a letter on it?

2) No, there is a book on it.
3) Are there some cups in them?
4) Yes, there are some cups in them.
5) You are on it.
Skrif.
Imagine you are teaching a beginners’ class. Make up a series of questions and
answers asking and answering what and where things are:
e.g Pyth yw hemma? Aval yw henna.

Ple’ma’n aval? Yma ev y’n2 ganstell.
When an object is mentioned for the first time, “hemma” or “henna” is used in the
question even if the object is feminine, as its identity has not yet been established.
Dyskans peswardhek KERNEWEK DRE LYTHER Peswardhegves dyskans
(“Gul” present and past tenses; Questions and answers with “gul”; “Res yw”; “Gwell yw”;
Possessive Adjectives with nouns and verb nouns. Future Tense. Present and Past tenses of
“gweles” and “galloes.”
Y’n tren
Dy’ Lun, myttinweyth, Erwan a2 wrug mos dhe Roazhon y’n tren. Res yw dhodho
drehedhes ena erbynn unnek eur. Y’n eur na yma dyskans yn kever an yeth kernewek. Dhe’n
gorsav, ev a2 vetyas orth dew2 gar a2 wra mos dhe’n2 bennskol kekeffrys.
“Myttin da, Erwan,” yn-medhons i dhodho.
“Myttin da,” Erwan a2 worthybis, “Fatla genowgh hedhyw? A2 wrussowgh hwi
kowlwul an skrif yn kever ‘Gwrians an Bys’?”
“Na2 wrug,” unn kar a worthybis. “Yma genen bys y’n seythun a2 dheu dh’y2
worfenna. A2 wrussysta y2 gowlwul dha honan?” “Gwrug,” Erwan a2 worthybis.
“Ottomma an tren!” yn-medh an nessa kar. “Res yw dhymm kavoes kocha ma nag
eus megi. Gwell yw genev kocha a’n par na.”
Yn gwella prys, an tren a wrug hedhi, ha daras a-dherag an tri har gans arwoedh
“Megi difennys.”
“Deun yn rag!” yn-medh Erwan. “Nyns eus saw unn den ynno.”
An tri a2 wrug gorra aga seghyer war an roes-fardellow. Skon, an tren a wrug dalleth
an fordh, an peswar tremenyas a’ga esedh, attes. Wosa pymp mynysenn an den a2 wrug gorra
tan dhe sigaret ha hwytha kommolenn euthek a2 vog a-berth y’n kocha!
Gerva.
a2 wrug mos = went. ma nag eus megi = where there
tren (p) trenow = train. is no smoking.
res yw dhodho = he must. gwell yw genev = I prefer.
erbynn unnek eur = by 11 o’clock. kocha = carriage.
a’n par na = like that.
y’n eur na = at that time. yn gwella prys = fortunately.
dyskans (p) dyskansow = lesson. hedhi = to stop.
gorsav (p) gorsavow = station. daras (p) darasow = door.
kekeffrys = also. a-dherag = in front of.
a2 worthybis = answered. arwoedh (p) arwoedhyow = sign.
fatla genowgh? = how are you? megi difennys = no smoking.
A2 wrussowgh hwi kowlwul? deun yn rag! = come on!
= Have you completed? nyns eus saw = there is only.
“Gwrians an Bys” gorra = to put.
= “The Creation of the World.” sagh (p) seghyer = bag.
(A Cornish Miracle Play) roes-fardellow (f) = luggage rack.
a’ga esedh = sitting. dalleth = to begin.
Na2 wrug. = No, I haven’t. fordh (f) (p) fordhow = journey.
an seythun a2 dheu = the coming tremenyas = passenger.
week. attes = comfortably.
dh’y worfenna = to finish it. mynysenn (f) (p) mynysennow
ottomma = here is. = minute.
res yw dhymm = I must. tan (p) tanyow = fire.
kavoes = (to) find. sigaret = cigarette.
KDL Dyskans peswardhek folenn 2

Gerva
hwytha = to blow. a2 vog = of smoke.

a-berth y’n = into the. leverel = to say.
kommolenn (f)(p) kommol = cloud. eva = to drink.
euthek = frightful.
Govynnadow
1) Fatell2 wrug Erwan mos dhe Roazhon? 6) Piw a leveris, “Ottomma an tren.”?
2) P’eur eus dyskans dhodho? 7) Pygemmys tus esa y’n kocha?
3) Piw a2 vetyas orth Erwan dhe’n gorsav? 8) Ple5 hworras an gerens aga seghyer?
4) Piw ny2 wrug kowlwul an skrif? 9) Pandr’a2 wrug an den?
5) Prag na2 wrug ev y worfenna? 10) Pyth esa y’n kocha ena?
Gramasek
“Gul” (to do/make) Present Tense. These are the unmutated forms.
gwrav = I do/make. gwren = we do/make.

gwredh = you do/make. gwrewgh = you do/make.
gwra = he/she/it does/makes. gwrons = they do/make.
Questions and Answers using “gul.” These unmutated forms are not normally used except to
answer “Yes,” to a question:
e.g. A2 wra ev dos a-vorow? Gwra. = Will he come tomorrow? Yes. (he will.)
A2 wredh megi? Gwrav. = Do you smoke? Yes (I do).
A2 wra Yowann gwertha lyvrow? Gwra. = Does Yowann sell books? Yes.
A2 wren ni mos y’n tren? Gwren. = Do we go in the train? Yes (we do).
Interrogative particle “A2” The questions above show how this is used. It is put before the
verb, and so starts the question off when there is no question word like “What” or “Where.”
If the subject is a pronoun, it may be omitted or placed after the verb. (See lessons 7 & 12). If
the subject is a noun, as in the third example, it follows the verb.
Exercise 1. Translate the following into Cornish with the help of the examples above.
1) Do we go to Cornwall today? Yes. 6) Do they correspond? Yes.

2) Do they speak Breton? Yes. 7) Does Anjela learn Cornish? Yes.
3) Do you drink beer? Yes. 8) Do Anjela and Yann live in Brittany?
4) Does he fish? Yes. Yes.
5) Do you like Lowena? Yes. 9) Do they drink coffee? Yes.
10) Do they go to a class? Yes.
Particle “Y5”. When used in a simple verbal sentence or main clause, the verb has the
particle “Y5” in front, and is often followed by the subject whether noun or pronoun. Subject
pronouns may be in the forms given in lesson 12 These forms usually carry some stress.
Alternative unstressed forms are often used and these are joined on to the verb. Both
possibilities are shown in the table below:

Y5 hwrav vy (hwrama) = I do/make.
Y5 hwredh jy (hwreta) = You do/make.
Y5 hwra ev (hwrava) = He/It does/makes. Y5 hwren ni = We do/make.
Y5 hwra hi = She/It does/makes. Y5 hwrewgh hwi = You do/make.
Y5 hwrons (hwrons i) = They do/make.
e.g. Y5 hwrav vy kewsel Kernewek. = I (do) speak Cornish.

Y5 hwra kesskrifa gans Yann. = He corresponds with Yann.
Y5 hwren ni triga yn Kernow. = We live in Cornwall.
(Note that these verbal sentences start with “Y5” followed by the verb, then the subject, if
expressed.)
Exercise 2. Translate the following into Cornish using verbal sentences, as in the examples
above.
1) I learn Cornish. 6) He sends the letter.

2) Yowann sells books. 7) You drink beer.
3) We fish. 8) They work.
4) They read my letters. 9) He goes.
5) Anjela speaks French. 10) She returns.
Negative of “gul.” The verb is made negative by replacing the particle “Y5” with the negative
particle “Ny2.”
e.g. Ny2 wrav kewsel Kernewek. = I do not speak Cornish.

Ny2 wra hi kesskrifa gans Yann. = She does not correspond with Yann.
Ny2 wra Anjela triga yn Kernow. = Anjela does not live in Cornwall.
Exercise 3. Repeat exercise 2 in the negative, with the help of the examples.
“Gul” past tense. The table below shows the unmutated forms and possible combinations
with pronouns.
Gwrug (Y5 hwrugavy) = I did/made.

Gwrussys ( Y5 hwrussysta, hwruss’ta)= You did/made.
Gwrug (Y5 hwruga) = He/She/It did/made.
Gwrussyn = We did/made.
Gwrussowgh = You did/made.
Gwrussons (Y5 hwrussons i) = They did/made.
These forms are used just like the present tense forms, i.e.:
Preceded by “A2” to ask a question:
e.g. A2 wrug ev mos dhe Roazhon? = Did he go to Rennes?
Unmutated to answer “Yes” to a question:
e.g. A wruss’ta gweles Erwan? Gwrug. = Did you see Erwan? Yes (I did.)
Preceded by “Y5” to make a simple affirmative statement:

e.g. Y5 hwrugavy gul an ober. = I did the work.
Preceded by “Ny2” to make a negative statement:
e.g. Ny2 wrussons i gul an ober. = They did not do the work.
Exercise 4. Using the past tense of “gul” and with the help of these examples, translate the
following into Cornish.
1) I went to Rennes. 6) He did not fish.

2) She sent the letter. 7) Did he sell the book? Yes.
3) They spoke to you. 8) Did you drink the wine? Yes.
4) We did not work. 9) Did they put their bags on the luggage rack? Yes.
5) You did not write. 10) Did I show you my book? Yes.
(Remember that any of the above affirmative statements can also be expressed as a Nominal
sentence, and indeed this would be the more usual and natural form:
e.g. (1, above) My a2 wrug mos dhe Roazhon. = I went to Rennes.
But questions and negative statements must be expressed verbally as above. However for the
sake of emphasis it is possible to put a subject before the “Ny2” in a negative sentence:
e.g. An studhyoryon ny2 wrussons mos dhe Sen Malo. =

The students did not go to St. Malo.
Such sentences in the singular were dealt with in Dyskans 4.
Negative answers. To make negative the unmutated forms of “gul” expressing an answer
“Yes” so as to give an answer “No,” the particle “Na2” is used:
e.g. A2 wreta mos dhe Druru? Na2 wrav. = Are you going to Truro? No (I’m not).
A2 wruss’ta redya “Gwrians an Bys”? Na2 wrug. =
Have you read “The Creation of the World.” No. (I haven’t).
A2 wra ev studhya y’n2 Bennskol? Na2 wra. =
Does he study at the University? No (he doesn’t).
A2 wrussons i metya orth Jenifer? Na2 wrussons. =
Did they meet Jenifer? No (they didn’t).
Exercise 5. Translate the following into Cornish. The form of question is the same in
Cornish, whether it starts in English with “Have,” “Has,” or “Did.”
1) Have you read “Kemmysk Kernewek”? 6) Did he read your letter? No.
No. 7) Did we drink the coffee? No.
2) Did she reach St. Malo? No. 8) Does he like Anjela? No.
3) Do you speak Cornish? No. 9) Have they shown you their house? No.
4) Did they write to the secretary? No. 10) Has she written to him? No.
5) Do you learn Spanish? No.

Res yw (= It is necessary) When followed by “dhe2” this phrase indicates that someone must
do something:
e.g. Res yw dhodho. = It is necessary for him. = He must.

Res yw dhe Yann. = Yann must.
Res yw dhymm. = I must.
Res yw dhe Anjela oberi y’n koffiji. = Anjela must work in the café.
As the last example shows, a verb noun indicates what it is the person must do.
1) I must go to Cornwall. 4) Yann must fish.

2) We must work for Cornwall. 5) Marie must go with Anjela.
3) Lowena must study.
Gwell yw. (= It is better) When followed by “gans” this phrase indicates that someone prefers
to do something.
e.g. Gwell yw ganso = It is better with him. = He prefers.

Gwell yw gans Yann. = Yann prefers.
Gwell yw genev. = I prefer.
Gwell yw gans Yowann oberi yn Kernow. = Yowann prefers to work in Cornwall.
1) She prefers to go to Brittany. 4) Jenifer prefers to live in Cornwall.

2) They prefer to write letters. 5) I prefer to learn Cornish.
3) Anjela prefers to work in the café.
Possessive Adjectives. We have already met a number of these. Here is a complete list:
ow3 = my agan = our

dha2 = your (s) agas = your (p)
y2 = his/its aga3 = their
hy3 - = her/its
N.B. The “a” in “dha2” (= your) is a neutral vowel so that the word sounds the same
as the English word “the.”
e.g. Ow3 har = My friend. Dha2 das = Your father.

Agan chi = Our house. Aga3 herens = Their friends.
You will see that particular care is needed here with mutations. K.D.L. will continue to give
the mutation number with every word causing it throughout the first and second/third grade
courses. You must check with your Mutation Chart. Eventually you will find (to your
surprise!) that you are making the correct mutations without even thinking about it!
Exercise 8. Translate the following into Cornish taking particular care with the mutations.
1) my house 3) our father 5) their books 7) my father 9) your (s) glass
2) your (s) friend 4) her friend 6)your (p) country 8) their friends 10) our car
Possessive adjectives are also used to express object pronouns with verb nouns:
e.g. Y5 hwrav y2 dhannvon = I do his sending = I send him.

My a2 vynn y2 dhyski = I want its learning = I want to learn it.
Res yw dhymm dha2 dhannvon = It is necessary to me to send you = I must send you.
Res yw dhe Jenifer y redya = Jenifer must read it.
Y5 hwrussons i aga honvedhes = They understood them.
Notice that the possessive adjective goes in front of the verb noun, whereas in English, the
corresponding pronoun follows it.
Exercise 9. With the help of the examples, translate the following into Cornish.
1) He must learn it. 6) I prefer to send them.

2) He lost her. 7) We prefer to sell it.
3) She lost him. 8) They found us.
4) I have found you. 9) He can find me.
5) We must send him. 10) She cannot find me.
The Future Tense. Cornish has no separate future tense but the Present Tense also serves as a
Future Tense, so that all the examples we have met so far in the present tense could also have
a future meaning if this were appropriate:
e.g. Y5 hwrav y2 dhannvon = (also) I shall send him.
We have met the two present tenses of “bos”(to be) and the present and past tenses of
“gul” (to do/make) (“Bos” is one of the few exceptions to the above rule. It does have a
separate future tense which we shall meet later.) Now some more verbs.
Gweles = To see.
Present Tense. Past Tense.
gwelav = I see. gwelis = I saw.
gwelydh = You see. gwelsys = You saw.
gwel = He/she/it sees. gwelas = He/she/it saw.
gwelyn = We see. gwelsyn = We saw.
gwelowgh = You see. gwelsowgh = You saw.
gwelons = They see gwelsons = They saw.
As with “gul” these forms are used with “Y5” to make a simple affirmative statement, with
“Ny2” to make a negative statement, with “A2” to ask a question, and with “Na2” to give a
negative answer = “No.” The unmutated form is used to give an affirmative answer =
“Yes.”:
e.g. Y5 hwelav dha2 ji = I see your house. Ny2 welav dha2 ji = I do not see your house.
2
A welsysta ow chi? = Did you see my house?
Gwelis, my a2 welas dha2 ji = Yes, I saw your house.

Na2 welis, ny2 welis vy dha2 ji = No, I did not see your house.
Exercise 10. Translate the following into Cornish, using the present or past tenses of
“gweles.”
1) Did you see the shop? Yes. 4) You see the fishing boat.
2) Did he see your friend? No. 5) She sees her mother.
3) They saw the café.
Galloes - to be able. This verb usually indicates that a person can do something because it is
permissible or physically possible, not that he has the knowledge necessary to do it. This
distinction was mentioned briefly in lesson 6.
Present Tense. Past Tense.

gallav = I can. gyllis = I could.
gyllydh = You can. gyllsys = You could.
gyll = He/She/It can gallas = He/She/It could.
gyllyn = We can. gyllsyn = We could.
gyllowgh = You can. gyllsowgh = You could.
gyllons = They can. gallsons = They could.
This verb can also be used as indicated above with the appropriate particles and mutations. It
is used with a verb noun to indicate the action which can be done which may have a
possessive adjective before it to express an object pronoun:
e.g. Y5 hyll ev ow gweres = He can help me.

Ny2 allav y2 weres = I cannot help him.
A2 yllsys dannvon an lyther? = Were you able to send the letter?
Gyllis, y5 hyllis y2 dhannvon = Yes, I could send it.
Na2 yllis, ny2 yllis y2 dhannvon = No, I could not send it.
Exercise 11. Translate the following into Cornish, using the present or past forms of
“galloes”
1) I can go to the University. 4) Can you read the letter? Yes.

2) We could not drink the beer. 5) I can work in the bookshop.
3) Could you send the letter? No.
(This lesson has been something of a Marathon, but do not lose heart! Later lessons will be
rather shorter!)
Dyskans pymthek KERNEWEK DRE LYTHER Pymthegves dyskans
Revision.
This lesson summarises and practises the use of Nominal and Verbal
sentences with and without “gul” to make simple statements. Previous lessons have
suggested the varying emphases which the different orders of words indicate and
experience will reinforce this knowledge. Our aim in this lesson is to become familiar
with the options which are available. We shall consider four kinds of statement:
1) Affirmative Sentence with Noun Subject:-

e.g. The children saw the man.
2) Negative sentence with Noun Subject:-

e.g. The children did not see the man.
3) Affirmative sentence with Pronoun Subject:-

e.g. They saw the man.
4) Negative sentence with Pronoun Subject:-

e.g. They did not see the man.
In each case we have (at this stage of the course) four possible Cornish versions.
1) Affirmative Sentence with Noun Subject.
Nominal. An fleghes a2 welas an den.(Dysk. 2, 6, 14)

Nominal with “gul.” An fleghes a2 wrug gweles an den. (Dysk. 8, 14)
Verbal. Y5 hwelas an fleghes an den. (Dysk. 14)
Verbal with “gul.” Y5 hwrug an fleghes gweles an den. (Dysk. 14)
(Note that the verb is singular although the subject is a plural noun.)
Exercise 1. Translate the following sentences into Cornish four times each, in
imitation of the above four examples.
1) Lowena sees the fishing boat.

2) The man read the letter.
3) The friends write in Cornish.
2) Negative Sentence with Noun Subject. Negative sentences are always Verbal.
(Dysk. 4, 6, 14)
Stressed subj. An fleghes ny2 welsons an den.

Stressed subj. with “gul.” An fleghes ny2 wrussons gweles an den.
Normal. Ny2 welas an fleghes an den.
Normal with “gul.” Ny2 wrug an fleghes gweles an den.
KDL dyskans pymthek folenn 2
(Note that the verb is plural when the plural subject precedes it and in the singular
when the subject follows the verb.)
Exercise 2. Translate the following sentences into Cornish four times each in
imitation of the four examples.
1) The woman did not speak with me.

2) Anjela did not see the car.
3) His friends do not work in the book shop.
3) Affirmative Sentence with Pronoun Subject.
Nominal. I a2 welas an den. (Dysk 2, 6, 14)

Nominal with “gul.” I a2 wrug gweles an den. (Dysk. 8,14)
Verbal. Y5 hwelsons an den. (Dysk. 14)
Verbal with “gul.” Y5 hwrussons gweles an den. (Dysk 14)
(Note that the verb remains 3rd. sing. in the Nominal sentences but. agrees with the
3rd. plur. subject in the Verbal sentences.)
Exercise 3. Translate the following sentences into Cornish four times each in imitation
of the four examples.
1) I saw Yann.
2) She sees Erwan.
3) He sent the letter.
4) Negative Sentence with Pronoun Subject. Again, as these are negative, they are all
Verbal sentences. (Dysk. 4, 6, 14)
Stressed subject. I ny2 welsons an den.

Stressed subject with “gul.” I ny2 wrussons gweles an den.
Normal. Ny2 welsons (welsons i) an den.
Normal with “gul.” Ny2 wrussons (wrussons i) gweles an den.
(Note: the verb is plural to agree with the plural subject. The pronoun subject may be
suffixed to the verb if it does not precede it.)
Exercise 4. Translate the following sentences into Cornish four times each in imitation
of the four examples.
1) He does not speak Cornish.

2) She did not send the letter.
3) We did not see the children.
Skrif.
Write an account of a train journey, using as many different verbs in as many ways as
you can. You will find nominal sentences with “gul” the easiest to use but try and use
at least one or two other possibilities as well.
Dyskans hwetek KERNEWEK DRE LYTHER Hwetegves dyskans
(Present and Imperfect Tenses of “mynnes.” “Drog yw,” “Gwell yw,” “Da yw.”)
“Megi difennys”
An tri3 har a2 wrug mires orth an den esa ow megi, meur aga marth. Yth esa an
arwoedh “Megi difennys” yn lytherennow bras a-dherag dewlagas an den, mes ev a besyas
megi yn despit dhedhi.
Erwan a2 vynna krodhvolas, mes ena y5 hwelas bos lorgh gwynn y’n roes-fardellow
a-ugh an den, ha gwedrow tewl a-dherag y2 dhewlagas. Y konvedhas. “Dall yw ev!” y
hwystras yn skovarn René, mes an den a2 glywas.
“Dhe2 wir, dall ov vy,” yn-medh ev. “Eus neppyth kamm?”
“Drog yw genev,” a2 worthybis Erwan. “Nag eus, nyns eus travydh kamm.” Mes
René a2 gewsis kekeffrys,
“Eus, a2 vester. Kocha heb megi yw hemma. Yma arwoedh2 vras, “Megi difennys”
war an fenester.”
“Dar! Drog yw genev,” yn-medh an den. “Ny2 welav an arwoedh. Ny2 vynnav agas
annia. Ow2 har a2 dheuth genev dhe’n tren ny2 dherivis orthiv bos megi difennys y’n kocha
ma.” hag ev a2 wrug difeudhi an sigaret.
“Meur ras dhis, a2 vester,” yn-medh an tri studhyer.
Gerva.
esa = was/were. dall = blind.
meur aga marth hwystra = to whisper.
= to their great surprise. klywes = to hear.
lytherenn (f) (p) lytherennow skovarn (f) (p) diwskovarn = ears.
= letter of alphabet. neppyth = something.
dewlagas = eyes. kamm = wrong.
(lagas = eye) drog yw genev = I am sorry.
pesya = to continue. nyns eus travydh
megi = to smoke. = there is nothing.
yn despit dhe2 = in spite of a heb = without.
vynna = wanted fenester (f) (p) fenestri
krodhvolas = to complain. = window
lorgh (p) lorghow mynnes (see “gramasek.”)
= (walking) stick. a2 dheuth = came.
gwynn = white. (dos = to come)
a-ugh = above. annia = to annoy.
gwedrow = glasses. derivas orth = to inform.
(gweder = glass) y’n kocha ma = in this carriage.
tewl = dark. difeudhi = to put out.
Notennow.
An den esa ow megi. “The man who was smoking.” The particle “a2” is normally used for
“who” in this kind of sentence, but is omitted before any part of the verb “bos” which begins
with a vowel, in this case “esa”.
dewlagas. “eyes.” Parts of the body which come in pairs are normally singular, but prefixed
with the appropriate form of “dew2”. Similarly we have “diwskovarn, “ “ears.”
Y5 hwelas bos lorgh gwynn. “He saw that there was a white stick.”
ny2 dherivis orthiv bos megi difennys. “did not tell me that smoking was forbidden.”
KDL dyskans hwetek folenn 2
These two examples show how sentences of the type “He said that....” “He saw that...” are
expressed. They are called Indirect Statements and will be dealt with later.
Ow3 har a2 dheuth genev. “My friend who came with me.” As mentioned in the previous note,
the particle “a2” can sometimes be used to mean “who” or “which.”
Y’n kocha ma. “In the carriage here.” This is the Cornish way of saying “in this carriage.”
Similarly we could have “Y’n kocha na,” “In the carriage there” = “In that carriage.” This is
the normal way of expressing “this” and “that” when these words are used as adjectives.
Govynnadow.
1) Piw esa ow megi?

2) Pandr’a2 welas Erwan?
3) Pleth esa an lorgh gwynn?
4) Prag na2 welas an den an arwoedh2 vras? {He was = ova.)
5) Pandr’a2 wrug René?
6) Pandr’a leveris an den?
7) Prag na2 wodhya an den bos megi difennys?
8) Piw a leveris “Meur ras, a2 vester.”?
9) Pyth yw an henwyn a2 dhew a’n studhyoryon?
10) Pygemmys tus esa y’n kocha?
Gramasek.
Mynnes. to wish/will/be willing/intend/want. This important verb is always followed by a

verb-noun, not a noun. Here is the present tense in the basic unmutated form:
mynnav = I will etc.

mynnydh = You will etc.
mynn = He/She will etc.
mynnyn = We will etc.
mynnowgh = You will etc.
mynnons = They will etc.
e.g. Y5 fynnav mos tre. = I want to go home

Ny2 vynn ev mos genes. = He does not intend to go with you.
Exercise 1. Using verbal sentences as in the examples, with correct mutations of the verb,
translate the following sentences into Cornish. The exercise illustrates possible English
renderings of the verb.
1) We want to see the University.

2) He wishes to go to Truro
3) I will not smoke.
4) She wants to learn Cornish.
5) They do not intend to buy the book.
6) Do you want (A2 vynnydh) to go?
7) No, I do not want to go.
8) Will you work with me?
9) Yes, I will work with you.
10) Yann wants to go home.
Mynnes : Imperfect Tense.
mynnen = I was willing/was intending/used to want etc.

mynnes = You were willing etc.
mynna = He/She was willing etc.
mynnen = We were willing etc.

mynnewgh = You were willing etc.
mynnens = They were willing etc.
The Imperfect Tense shows something that was going on continuously or habitually
in the past.
e.g. Dre2 bymp blydhen y5 fynnen dyski Kernewek =

For five years I was wanting to learn Cornish.
Y5 fynna ev mos dhe2 Gernow. =
He used to want to go to Cornwall.
In fact “wanted” is probably better English in both these cases, but the fact that it is possible
to use “was wanting” and “used to want” indicates that the imperfect is appropriate in
Cornish .
Exercise 2. Translate the following into Cornish using the imperfect tense of “mynnes” in
verbal sentences, as in the examples.
1) They were willing to travel in the train.

2) We wanted to complain.
3) She used to want to rest all the time.
4) I would not drink coffee.
5) Yowann wanted to drink beer.
6) You wanted to eat an apple.
7) He did not intend to drink wine.
8) I would go every day (pub dydh)
9) Anjela wanted to drive (lywyas) her 2 C.V.
10) The children would not go to school.
“Drog yw genev.” This translates literally as “It is bad with me” but actually means “I am
sorry.” “Drog yw gans...” can also be used with a noun in this sense:
e.g. Drog yw gans Yowann = John is sorry.
or with a personal pronoun contraction:
e.g. Drog yw gensi mos dhe2 ves. = She is sorry to go away.
1) We are sorry to go.

2) Anjela and Yann are sorry.
3) I am sorry to see that.
4) Yowann is sorry to receive the letter.
5) The students are sorry to see the blind men.
6) You are sorry to lose the book.

7) He is sorry to go.
8) The fisherman is sorry to lose his fish.
9) His wife is sorry also.
10) They are sorry to go.
“Da yw genev” = “I am glad”; “Gwell yw genev” = “I prefer.”
These two idioms are used in exactly the same way:
e.g. Da yw genev dha2 weles. = I am glad to see you.

Gwell yw gans Lowena gortos y’n chi. =
` Lowena prefers to stay in the house.
1) We are glad to come home.

2) Yann prefers to go fishing.
3) She prefers to read.
4) They like learning Cornish.
5) You like going to Cornwall.
6) The children like to work.
7) I prefer watching television.
8) He likes driving his car.
9) They prefer going to the café.
10) You like buying books.
(The Cornish verb-noun is used to translate English verbal forms ending in “-ing”
e.g. Da yw gans Yann mos dhe2 Gernow = Yann likes going to Cornwall
Skrif.
Write about the rest of the train journey and what happened when the three
students and the blind man reached Rennes.
Dyskans seytek. KERNEWEK DRE LYTHER. Seytegves dyskans.
Lyther Yowann.
Yann ker,
Meur ras dhis a’th lyther. Y konvedhav yn5 ta an kaletter a2 guntell an teylu
warbarth. Dy’Sadorn res yw dhymm mos dhe’n gwerthji ha passya an jydh dien ynno. Ny2
allav gweles an fleghes bys y’n gorthugher. Treweythyow y5 teu Lowena dhe’n gwerthji rag
ow gweres, mes Peder a2 gar mos dhe2 wari peldroes. Nyns eus marnas Dy’ Sul may5 hyllyn ni
passya an termyn warbarth. Ena mos dhe2 ves y’n karr tan a2 wren. Treweythyow yth en dhe
Aberfal rag neuvya po kerdhes war an alsyow. Y’n Hav yma niver euthek a havysi ena
diworth Pow Sows, mes pur hweg yw an2 dre y’n Gwenton hag y’n Kynyav. Y’n Gwav y5
hyllyn mires orth an mordonnow ow rolya war an treth hag erbynn an alsyow.
Dhiso jy yn lel,
Dha2 gar,
Yowann.
Gerva.
yn5 ta = well. Hav = summer.

kaletter = difficulty. niver (p1) niverow = number.
dien = whole. havyas (p1) havysi = holiday maker.
passya = to spend (time) Pow Sows = England.
y5 teu = comes. hweg = pleasant.
(dos = to come). tre (f) (p1) trevow = town.
rag = in order (to) Gwenton = spring.
gwari = to play. Kynyav = autumn.
mos = to go. Gwav = winter.
Aberfal = Falmouth. mordonn (f) (p) mordonnow = wave.
neuvya = to swim. rolya = to roll.
kerdhes = to walk. treth (p) trethow = beach.
als (f) (pl) alsyow = cliff. erbynn = against.
yth en (mos) = we go.
Notennow.
yn5 ta. “da” means “good”; “yn5 ta” means well.” Adjectives are often turned into adverbs
by putting “yn5” in front of them, though it is also possible to use the adjective alone as an
adverb.
an jydh. “dydh” (day) always mutates to “jydh” when following “an” or “unn .”
may5 hyllyn ni. “when/that we can.”
mos dhe2 ves y’n karr tan a2 wren. “We go away in the car.”
In this sentence the verb noun “mos” is the object of the verb “(g)wren” and it is placed
before it to give it some degree of emphasis. When this happens (as it often does) the verb has
“a2” instead of “y5” as its particle.
KDL Dyskans seytek folenn 2
Govynnadow.
1) Pandr’a2 wra Yowann Dy’ Sadorn?

2) P’eur5 hyll ev gweles an fleghes?
3) Prag yth a Lowena dhe’n gwerthji?
4) Pandr’a2 wra Peder Dy’Sadorn?
5) P’eur5 hyll Yowann gweles an teylu warbarth?
6) Pandr’a2 wra an teylu an jydh ma?
7) Prag nag yw Aberfal pur hweg y’n Hav?
8) Fatell yw Aberfal y’n Gwenton hag y’n Kynyav?
9) Pandr’a2 wra an teylu yn Aberfal?
10) Pandr’a2 wra an mordonnow y’n Gwav?
Do not attempt to start an answer with “Because...” It involves grammar we have not yet
touched upon. Just give the reason asked for e.g. “Why does Peter play football?” “He is in
the school team.”
Gramasek.
Apart from the notes, there is no new grammar to learn with this lesson. The
following exercise gives practice in work done recently.
Exercise. Translate the following into Cornish.
1) The three friends went (eth) to the beach.

2) Peder wanted to swim.
3) Yowann wrote a letter to Yann.
4) I can go to Falmouth.
5) Anjela wants to come tomorrow.
6) Can they swim today? Yes.
7) Yowann must work in his shop.
8) Yann wants to play football.
9) We complained (use “gul” with v.n.) to the teacher.
10) Peder wanted to annoy Lowena.
11) They can complain to Jenifer.
12) We have a pleasant house.
13) In the summer we go to Falmouth.
14) You have a good friend.
15) Yann went to fish.
16) My mother is with me.
17) She likes to see the waves.
18) He comes to Truro every day. (pub dydh)
19) He likes Lowena.
20) Yowann comes to work in the town.
Dyskans etek. KERNEWEK DRE LYTHER. Etegves dyskans.
(Imperfect of “kara,” “gul,” “galloes;”and “gweles.”)
Kastell Penndinas.
Pan ens i nebes yowynka, y kara an fleghes mos dhe2 weles Kastell Penndinas
yn Aberfal. Yowann a2 wre gasa an karr tan war onan a’n parkow kerri esa a-dro dhe’n
kastell, po y lywya bys yn penn an menydh ha’y2 asa war2 bark kerri an kastell y honan.
An fleghes a2 gara mires orth Sen Mawes ha Penn Antoni dres an heyl. Y5
hyllens gweles Menporth war’tu ha’n howlsedhes kekeffrys. Y5 hwelens an mor splann ynter
an pennow ha’n alsyow a-dro dhedha
Ogas dhe unn eur, Jenifer a2 wre igeri hy3 hanstell2 veur hag ynni boes rag pub den oll.
Y hyllens esedha y’n karr ha mires orth an mor. Y5 hwelens skath2 vyghan ow4 koelya
5
warnodho, ha tus ow neuvya y’n dowr. Wosa dybri, an fleghes a2 wre prena dyenn rew, ha
Yowann ha Jenifer owth eva koffi esa y’ga3 hostrel Thermos.
Gerva.
ens i = they were. dres = across.

nebes = somewhat. heyl (p) heylyow = estuary.
5
yowynka = younger. y hyllens = they could.
y kara = used to like/liked Menporth = Maenporth.
a2 gara = used to like/liked. war’tu ha = towards.
2
a wre = used (to) an howlsedhes = the west.
gasa = to leave. y5 hwelens = they used to see.
Kastell Penndinas = mor (p) moryow = sea.
Pendennis Castle. splann = bright.
park kerri (p) parkow kerri = ynter = between.
car park. igeri = to open.
2
a-dro dhe = around. boes = food.
bys yn = as far as. pub den oll = everybody.
penn. (p) pennow = esedha = to sit.
top, headland. skath (f) (p) skathow = boat.
menydh (p) menydhyow = goelya = to sail.
hill. neuvya = to swim.
dowr (p) dowrow = water.
prena = to buy.
dyenn rew = ice cream.
kostrel (p) kostrels = flask.
Govynnadow.
1) Ple5 hwre mos an fleghes pan ens i yowynka?

2) Ple5 hwre Yowann gasa an karr tan?
3) Py tre eus dres an heyl diworth Aberfal?
4) Py eur y5 hwre Jenifer igeri an2 ganstell2 veur?
5) Pyth esa y’n2 ganstell?
6) Pandr’a2 welens i war an mor?
7) Pandr’a2 wre an fleghes wosa dybri?
8) Pandr’a2 wre Yowann ha Jenifer eva?
9) Pleth esa an koffi?
10) A2 wreta kara koffi?
KDL Dyskans etek folenn 2
Gramasek.
Imperfect Tense of “gul,” “gweles,” “kara,” and “galloes.”

In dyskans 16 we saw how the imperfect tense shows a habitual action in past time. The
reading passage in this lesson is an account of the habitual visits of Yowann and his family to
Pendennis Castle, so a number of the verbs are in the imperfect, in particular the ones
mentioned above. English is a little clumsy in expressing such habitual actions, and we resort
to expressions like “The children used to like going to Pendennis Castle.” “John would leave
the car in the car park,” or we don’t even try and say simply, “The children liked going,” and
leave it to the context to show that it happened repeatedly, not just once. Cornish, however,
has the neat imperfect tense available and it should be used in this kind of situation.
Imperfect Tense of “gul” = to do/make.
gwren = I was doing/making/used to do/make/did/made etc.

gwres = You were doing etc.
gwre = He/She/It was doing etc.
gwren = We were doing etc.
gwrewgh = You were doing etc.
gwrens = They were doing etc.
This is a very important verb as it is used by itself meaning “to do” or “to make” and also as
an auxiliary with verb nouns to make up the alternative verb forms we have already met. In
the following exercise, it is used in this second way.
Exercise 1. Translate the following into Cornish using the imperfect tense of “gul” and a verb
noun. Start numbers 1 to 5 with “Y5” and 6 to 10 with the subject + “a2” or with “Ny2” +
verb.
1) We used to buy fish in Falmouth.

2) She went to the castle every day.
3) He ate fish every Friday.
4) I went there every year.
5) Yowann used to leave his car near the castle.
6) Lowena would come every week.
7) Yann used to fish.
8) We did not go every year.
9) The children did not like the sea.
10) Anjela used to work in the café.
Imperfect Tense of “gweles” = to see.

gwelyn = I was seeing/used to see/saw.
gwelys = You were seeing etc.
gweli = He/She/It was seeing etc.
gwelyn = We were seeing etc.
gwelewgh = You were seeing etc.
gwelens = They were seeing etc.
Exercise 2. Translate the following into Cornish using the imperfect tense of “gweles.” Start
numbers 1 to 5 with “Y5” and numbers 6 to 10 with the subject + “a2” or “Ny2” + verb.
1) We used to see the waves on the beach.

2) They saw their family often (yn5 fenowgh).
3) She saw her son often.
4) Peder saw the sea every week.
5) The children used to see the castle every day.
6) You did not see the shop often.
7) The man used to see Cornwall each year (pub blydhen).
8) He used to see the estuary sometimes.
9) They did not see their mother every day.
10) I used to see Anjela every Saturday.
Imperfect Tense of “kara” to love/like.
karen = I used to love/1ike/was loving/loved etc.

kares = You used to love etc.
kara = He/She/It used to love etc.
karen = We used to love etc.
karewgh = You used to love etc.
karens = They used to love etc.
Exercise 3. Translate the following into Cornish using the imperfect tense of “kara.” Start
numbers 1 to 5 with “Y” and numbers 6 to 10 with the subject + “a2” or with “Ny2” + verb.
When “kara” is followed by a verb noun there is no separate word to translate “to”’before’the
verb noun.
e.g. My a2 gar neuvya = I like to swim.
1) We used to like to go to Cornwall.

2) She liked to swim.
3) You liked learning Cornish.
4) Anjela liked to drive her 2 C.V.
5) I liked eating (= to eat) ice cream.
6) Yowann and Jenifer loved their children.
7) He used to love Lowena.
8) She did not love that man.
9) You did not like to go to Truro.
10) You liked going to Brittany.
Imperfect Tense of “galloes” = to be able.
gyllyn = I was/used to be able/I could.

gyllys = You could etc.
gylli = He/She/It could etc.
gyllyn = We could etc.

gyllewgh = You could etc.
gyllens = They could etc.
Exercise 4. Translate the following into Cornish using the imperfect tense of “galloes” and
the verb noun. Start numbers 1 to 5 with “Y5” and 6 to 10 with the subject + “a2” or “Ny2” +
verb.
1) He used to be able to come every week.
2) They could go every day.

3) I was able to see the boat.
4) Yann was able to fish every night (nos).
5) You used to be able to see the house.
6) We could not go.
7) The man could open the shop.
8) The teacher could not see the children.
9) They could not see the teacher.
10) I could see the boat.
Skrif.
Write an account of something (real or imaginary) that you or someone you know used to do.
You will need to use the imperfect of “gul” with verb nouns, and you will probably be able to
use other verbs in this lesson also.
Dyskans nownsek KERNEWEK DRE LYTHER Nownsegves dyskans
(Second Person Imperative.)
Dyskans Lywya
Pub dydh yth a Marie gans hy mamm dhe’n koffiji a-berth y’n fosow a Sen
Malo. Mes unn jydh, klav veu Anjela ha res veu dhe Marie kerdhes an peswar kilometer
dhe’n koffiji. Marie ny2 gar kerdhes, ha pur skwith o hi wosa mos dhe’n koffiji ha dehweles
alena. Rag henna, y5 hwrug hi ervira dyski lywya an2 dhew2 vargh. Yth esa skol lywya yn Sen
Malo, hag yth eth Marie dhe’n soedhva rag omrolya.
Nebes dydhyow diwettha, y5 teuth karr skol dh’y daras, hag y5 hwrug Marie
dalleth hy dyskansow lywya.
“Gwra magla lemmyn! Ke nebes skaffa! Ke nebes sygerra! Bydh war! Gwra
hedhi dhe’n krowshyns! Gwra mires y’n gweder! Na2 wra lywya yn kres an fordh! Na2 wra
ankevi arwoedha!”
Wosa unn our, pur skwith o Marie. Y’n pols na, ny2 garas hi mann lywya karr tan:
Byttegyns, wosa unn seythun y5 teuth an karr skol arta, rag an nessa dyskans!
Gerva.
dydh (p) dydhyow = day bydh war = be careful!

unn jydh = one day gwra hedhi! = stop
(irreg. mutation) gweder (p) gwedrow = mirror
mamm (f) (p) mammow = mother gwra mires! = look!
klav = ill na2 wra lywya! = don’t drive!
veu = was. (bos = to be) na2 wra ankevi! = don’t forget!
res veu = it was necessary ankevi = to forget
kilometer = kilometre arwoedha = to signal
eth = went unn our = one hour
(mos = to go) y’n pols na = at that moment
2
o = was ny ....mann = not at all
(bos = to be) alena = from there
ervira = to decide y5 teuth (dos) = came
omrolya = to enrol dh’y = to her
diwettha = later krowshyns (p)krowshynsi = crossroads
dalleth = to begin
gwra magla = change gear!
skaffa = faster
sygerra = slower
Notenn
Dhe Marie. Normally “dhe” is followed by second state mutation, but this does not usually
occur with proper names, especially if they are non-Cornish.
KDL Dyskans nownsek folenn 2
Govynnadow.
1) Pandr’a2 wra Marie pub dydh?

2) Prag y5 feu res dhedhi kerdhes dhe’n koffiji?
3) Fatell o Marie wosa kerdhes tre?
4) Pandr’a erviras hi y2 wu1?
5) Pleth esa an skol lywya?
6) P’eur5 hwrug Marie dalleth hy dyskansow lywya?
7) A2 garas hi lywyas karr tan wosa hy3 hynsa dyskans?
8) A2 wodhesta lywyas karr tan? (See dysk. 6)
9) A2 wreta kara lywyas karr tan?
10) A2 wreta kara kerdhes?
Gramasek.
Second person singular imperative. This is the form of the verb used to give an order or
instruction such as “Change gear!” “Be careful!” as used in the reading passage. Look at
these examples:
Red an lyver. Gwra redya an lyver. = Read the book.
Kar dha hynsa. Gwra kara dha hynsa. = Love thy neighbour.
Dysk Kernewek. Gwra dyski Kernewek. = Learn Cornish.
They show the two forms that can be used. The first is the imperative of the verb itself, often
just the bare stem without any ending. The second is “Gwra” (imperative of “gul”) followed
by the verb noun.
The second form is easier and safer to use as the imperative often differs
from the stem as in “Ke!” = “Go!” and “Bydh war!” = “Be careful!” in the reading passage.
Exercise 1. Translate the following into Cornish using the imperative of the verb (without
“gwra”) where it is given in the lesson. Otherwise use “gwra” and the verb noun. N.B. There
is no particle or mutation involved with the imperative.
1) Go home! 6) Eat your food!

2) Be here at one o’clock! 7) Find your mother!
3) Read this book! 8) Enrol tomorrow!
4) Look at me! (orthiv) 9) Send your letter!
5) Sell the car! 10) Drink your beer!
KDL Dyskans nownsek folenn 3
The negative imperative.(“Do not go:” etc.) is formed with the particle “Na2.” in front of the
normal imperative or “gwra” with the verb noun.
e.g. Na2 wra mos re skav! = Do not go too quickly!
The imperative with “Na2 wra....” is easier and more commonly used of the two forms and
should be used in the following exercise.
1) Don’t look at me!

2) Don’t forget to come tomorrow!
3) Don’t read that book!
4) Don’t buy those apples!
5) Don’t change gear!
6) Don’t drive in the middle of the road!
7) Don’t write today!
8) Don’t speak now!
9) Don’t lose your pen!
10) Don’t open your eyes!
Skrif.
Imagine you are Marie. Tell what happens when you find you have to walk to the café
because your mother is ill.
Dyskans ugens. KERNEWEK DRE LYTHER. Ugensves dyskans.
Revision.
Translate into Cornish
1) Yowann has some good books.

2) Yann wants to buy a new house.
3) Anjela saw her father.
4) I went with him to Truro.
5) He will send you the letter.
6) Here are the five books, sir.
7) I used to work on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
8) I used to arrive at nine o’clock.
9) The children go to school every day.
10) Yowann watched Jenifer eating.
11) After going home, Yann used to watch television.
12) Where is the shop? It is in Truro.
13) “This is my 2 C.V.” said Anjela.
14) Is there an apple in the basket?
15) The cups are in it.
17) Yann must go fishing this week.
18) He prefers to stay (gortos) at home.
19) We used to buy fish every week.
20) Don’t do that:
Dyskans onan warn ugens KERNEWEK DRE LYTHER Kynsa dyskans warn
ugens.
(Numbers.)
An2 Worvarghas.
Pub seythun, y5 hwra Jenifer mos dhe’n2 worvarghas yn Truru rag

prena boes dhe’n teylu. Lowena a gensi menowgh, mes Peder ny2 gar mos dhe’n
gwerthjiow.
Res yw prena amanenn, bakken, hoelan, keus, kyfeyth. losow, puber,
sugra, tesenn, bara, kig, ha taklow erell.
Nans yw unn seythun, yth eth Jenifer ha Lowena dhe2 brena gwara.
Pris bakken o unn peuns ugens diner orth an hanter kilo. Jenifer a2 gar prena amanenn
diworth Mordir Nowydh, rag bos modrep gensi a2 drig ena, mes nyns esa saw
amanenn danek. Hi a2 brenas dew2 beuns. An pris o triugens diner orth an hanter
peuns. Ny2 brenas hi kyfeyth mes y5 fynna Lowena kavoes keus arbennik ha pur2 ger.
Soweth! Nyns esa saw hanterkans diner gesys, ha ny2 allsons i prena tesennow rag te!
Gerva.
gorvarghas (f) (p) gorvarghasow =. peuns (p) peunsow = pound
supermarket. ugens = twenty
menowgh = often diner (p) dinerow = penny
amanenn = butter hanter = half.
bakken = bacon Mordir Nowydh = New Zealand
hoelan = salt modrep (f) (p) modrebedh = aunt
keus = cheese nyns esa saw = there was only
bara = bread danek = Danish
kyfeyth = pickle, jam triugens = sixty
kig = meat arbennik = special.
losow = vegetables soweth! = what a pity!
puber = pepper hanterkans = fifty
sugra = sugar gesys = left
tesenn (f) (p) tesennow = cake (gasa = to leave)
prena gwara = to go shopping te = tea.
pris (p) prisyow = price arghans = money
Govynnadow.
1) Ple’ma’n2 worvarghas?
2) P’eur a Jenifer ena?
3) Piw a2 wra mos gensi menowgh?
4) Prag na2 wra Peder mos gensi?
5) Pandra2 wra Jenifer dhe2 brena y’n2 worvarghas?
6) Pyth o pris an bakken ?
7) Pyth o pris an amanenn?
8) Pandr’a2 vynna Lowena dhe brena?
9) Pygemmys arghans esa gesys?
10) A2 allsons i prena tesennow rag te?
KDL Dyskans onan warn ugens folenn 2.
Gramasek.
Cardinal Numbers. We have met numbers 1 - 10 in dyskans 8 and you have seen
numbers up to twenty at the top of your lesson sheets. Now, here is a reference list of
numbers.
1. onan, unn 21. onan warn ugens 41. onan ha dewgans
2. dew, diw 22. dew warn ugens 42. dew ha dewgans
3. tri, teyr 23. tri warn ugens 43. tri ha dewgans
4. peswar, peder 24. peswar warn ugens 44. peswar ha dewgans
5. pymp 25. pymp warn ugens 45. pymp ha dewgans
6. hwegh 26. hwegh warn ugens 46. hwegh ha dewgans
7. seyth 27. seyth warn ugens 47. seyth ha dewgans
8. eth 28. eth warn ugens 48. eth ha dewgans
9. naw 29. naw warn ugens 49. naw ha dewgans
10. deg 30. deg warn ugens 50. hanterkans
11. unnek 31. unnek warn ugens 51. unnek ha dewgans.
12. dewdhek 32. dewdhek warn ugens 52. dewdhek ha dewgans.
13. trydhek 33. trydhek warn ugens 53. trydhek ha dewgans.
14. peswardhek 34. peswardhek warn ugens 54. peswardhek ha dewgans.
15. pymthek 35. pymthek warn ugens 55. pymthek ha dewgans
16. hwetek 36. hwetek warn ugens 56. hwetek ha dewgans
17. seytek 37. seytek warn ugens 57. seytek ha dewgans.
18. etek 38. etek warn ugens 58. etek ha dewgans.
19. nownsek 39. nownsek warn ugens 59. nownsek ha dewgans.
20. ugens 40. dewgens 60. triugens.
You will see that the counting pattern is in twenties. You need to memorize and
practise as far as twenty for a start. Then:
21-39 is a repetition of 1-20 followed by warn ugens.
41-59 is a repetition of 1-20 followed by ha dewgans.
(note, however that 50 is usually hanterkans)
61-79 is a repetition of 1-20 followed by ha triugens
80 is peswar ugens.
81-99 is a repetition of 1-20 followed by ha peswar ugens.
100 is kans.
Past 100 we continue in twenties.
120. hwegh ugens.
140. seyth ugens.
160. eth ugens.
180. naw ugens.
200. dew kans. (no mutation.)
Intervening numbers are shown as above,
e.g. 123. tri ha hwegh ugens.
189. naw ha naw ugens.
KDL Dyskans onan warn ugens. folenn 3.
Past 200 counting is in hundreds twenties and units:

e.g. 380. tri hans ha peswar ugens.
540. pymp kans ha dewgans.
724. seyth kans ha peswar warn ugens.
1000.. mil (mil causes second state mutation of any following
noun, but not additional numerals.)
e.g. mil dhen = a thousand men. mil, dew kans = 1,200.
Past 1000, numbers are built up similarly. e.g.
e.g. 1984. mil, naw kans, peswar ha peswar ugens.
2000. dew2 vil.
3000. tri mil.
4000. peswar mil.
1000000. milvil.
(Ken George maintains that mil is masculine though previous grammars have given it
as feminine.)
You will see that once you have learned the numbers 1-20 and a few more words you
can “work out” pretty well any number you need.
Exercise 1. Write the following numbers in Cornish.

1) 39. 2) 67. 3) 89. 4) 120. 5) 600.
6) 1060. 7) 2561. 8) 494. 9) 4004. 10) 195.
Revise the special rules given about gender and mutation in connection with numbers
1 - 4 given in dyskans 8. Note also the following three points:
1) A noun following a numeral is always singular.
2) Mil2 (1000) causes 2nd state mutation in any following noun but not in
additional numerals.
3) In the case of a compound number, the noun follows the first part of the
compound.
e.g. unn den warn ugens. = twenty one men.
tri3 harr tan ha dewgans. = forty three cars.
peder kanstell ha pymp kans. = five hundred and four baskets.
Exercise 2. Write the following fully in Cornish words.

1) 1000 men. 6) 901 flowers.
2) 1050 children. 7) 174 books.
3) 2003 heads. 8) 149 pence.
4) 1002 women. 9) 50 friends.
5) 504 pens. 10) 99 Cornishmen.
KDL Dyskans onan warn ugens folenn 4
Ordinal Numbers. You will have noticed these numbers (first, second, third, fourth,
etc.) at the top right hand corners of your lesson sheets. Here are the first ten again,
with their usual abbreviations.
la. kynsa. 6ves. hweghves.
2a. nessa. 7ves. seythves.
3a. tressa 8ves. ethves.
4a. peswara 9ves. nawves.
5es. pympes. l0ves. degves.
Past ten, -ves is added to the cardinal number at the end of which k becomes g. Only
the first part of a compound number is affected.
e.g. 21a. kynsa warn ugens.
30ves. degves warn ugens.
Exercise 3. Write the following ordinal numbers in Cornish in full, and in the
abbreviated form.
1) 1st. 6) 100th.
2) 30th. 7) 10th.
3) 81st. 8) 40th.
4) 5th. 9) 20th.
5) 31st. l0) 57th.
Skrif.
Give an account of one of your shopping expeditions.
Dyskans dew warn ugens. KERNEWEK DRE LYTHER. Nessa dyskans warn ugens
(Combinations of prepositions with pronouns)
Chi Jenifer.
Nans yw berr2 dermyn, Jenifer ha Yowann a2 wre triga yn chi
byghan, koynt ha koth. Nyns esa stevell omwolghi. Res o settya glow y’n2
danvaglenn gans prennyer ha paper, ha gorra tan ynno. Pur2 vyghan o an lowarth, mes
lemmyn yma chi flamm nowydh dhedha.
Pan o hi fleghik, Lowena a2 goska gans hy broder, mes lemmyn kavoes
chambour hy honan a2 vynn, hag y’n chi nowydh yma chambour rygdhi. Jenifer a2
vynna kavoes kegin arnowydh, ha lowarth rag tevi bleujennow ha losow, ha lemmyn
yma lowarth rygdhi. Yowann a2 vynna kavoes krow rag gorra y2 doulys, hag y’n
lowarth ev re2 dhrehevis krow ragdha. Ha Peder? Yma’n chi nowydh pur ogas dhe’n2
wariva peldroes!
Y’n chi nowydh, yma stevell omwolghi splann gans kowas ha toemmheans
kres, ma nag eus chymbla war an to. Pur lowen yw Jenifer ynwedh rag bos pellgowser
yn hy chi a2 gynsa prys, ha pellgewsel a2 yll gans oll hy herens.
Byttegyns, kavoes karr-tan nowydh a vynn hi lemmyn, mes yn-medh Yowann,
“Res yw dhis omweres hebdho!”
Gerva.
berr2 dermyn = short time kegin (f) (p) keginow = kitchen
koynt = strange arnowydh = modern
stevell omwolghi (f) = bath room. tevi = grow
o = was krow (p) krowyow = shed
(bos = to be) toul (p) toulys = tool
settya = to lay drehevel = to build
glow = coal ragdha = for them
tanvaglenn (f) (p) tanvaglennow = gwariva (f) (p) gwarivaow = playing
grate field
prenn (p) prennyer = stick kowas (f) (p) kowasow = shower
paper = paper toemmheans kres = central heating
lowarth (p) lowarthyow = garden ma nag eus = so there is not
flamm nowydh = brand new chymbla (p) chymblys = chimney
fleghik = little child to (p) tohow = roof
a2 goska = used to sleep rag bos = because there is
(koska = to sleep) pellgowser = telephone
2
broder (p) breder = brother a gynsa prys = for the first time
chambour (p) chambours = bedroom pellgewsel = to telephone
hy honan = her own omweres = to manage
rygdhi = for her hebdho = without it
Govynnadow
1) Fatell o chi koth Jenifer?
2) Esa stevell omwolghi?
3) Py par chi eus dhe Jenifer lemmyn?
4) Ple5 hwre Lowena koska pan o fleghik?
5) Pandr’a2 wra tevi y’n lowarth a’n chi nowydh?
KDL dyskans dew warn ugens folenn 2
6) Prag y5 fynn Yowann kavoes krow?
7) Prag y kar Peder an chi nowydh?
8) Py par toemmheans eus y’n chi nowydh?
9) Eus pellgowser genes jy?
10) A2 vynnta jy kavoes karr nowydh?
Combination of prepositions with pronouns. We have already met:
“gans,” “dhe,” and “war”, combined with pronouns (Dysk. 7 & 13) A number of
other prepositions behave in a similar way, as shown in the following tables:
a = about dre = through
ahanav = about me dredhov = through me
ahanas = about you dredhos = through you
anodho = about him/it dredho = through him/it
anedhi = about her/it dredhi = through her/it
ahanan = about us dredhon = through us
ahanowgh = about you dredhowgh = through you
anedha = about them dredha = through them
yn = in rag = for
ynnov = in me ragov = for me
ynnos = in you ragos = for you
ynno = in him/it ragdho = for him/her
ynni = in her/it rygdhi = for her/it
ynnon = in us ragon = for us
ynnowgh = in you ragowgh = for you
ynna = in them ragdha = for them
heb = without ryb = beside
hebov = without me rybov = beside me
hebos = without you rybos = beside you
hebdho = without him/it rybdho = beside him/her
hebdhi = without her/it rybdhi = beside her/it
hebon = without us rybon = beside us
hebowgh = without you rybowgh = beside you
hebdha = without them rybdha = beside them
orth = (see note below) diworth = from.
orthiv = — me diworthiv = from me
orthis = — you diworthis = from you
orto = — him/it diworto = from him/it
orti = — her/it diworti = from her/it
orthyn = — us diworthyn = from us
orthowgh = — you diworthowgh = from you
orta = — them diworta = from them
Notenn The basic meaning of “orth” is “at’ but this varies depending on the verb with
which it is used:
KDL Dyskans dew warn ugens folenn 3
e.g. Mires orth = to look at
Kewsel orth = to speak to
Goslowes orth = to listen to
Sevel orth = to oppose
Govynn orth = to ask (someone a question, or to do something.)
Exercise. Translate the following into Cornish.
1) My friend wrote a story about them. (story = hwedhel)
2) Anjela drove her car through it.
3) I keep some apples in it. (to keep = gwitha)
4) They sent a car for me.
5) We shall not go without you.
6) I’ll walk beside you.
7) He is speaking to us.
8) The letter came from her.
9) Are you talking about me?
10) I will send a letter through you.
11) Is there any money in them?
12) I will speak to him for you.
13) Don’t go without me.
14) She sat beside me.
15) I am looking at you.
16) The man came from them.
17) He will buy some beer for them.
18) You cannot learn Cornish without it.
19) I asked him about them.
20) They can’t take (kemmeres) that (away) from me.
Skrif.
Write a description of your house or one you know.

Dyskans tri warn ugens KERNEWEK DRE LYTHER Tressa dyskans warn ugens.
(The months of the year. Collective Nouns.)
An Lowarth.
Mis-Genver ha mis-Hwevrer, pur yeyn yw hi. Yma rew ha gwyns krev, ha
treweythyow ergh a2 wra koedha ha Jenifer ny2 yll gul travydh y’n lowarth. Mis-
Meurth, hi a2 gyv has bleujennow ha losow ha’ga gorra y’n dor. Leun yw an lowarth a
lili Korawys, meur aga3 thekter. Res yw treghi an glesin a2 gynsa prys. Mis-Ebryl,
Jenifer a worr has a lies eghenn y’n lowarth, ha skon y5 fydh skyll byghan ow tevi
yn-mes a’n dor. Mis-Me yma’n bleujennow war an gwydh frutys ha mis-Metheven
splann yw an ros. Mis-Gortheren Jenifer a2 yl kuntell fav hag avan. Mis-Est y5 hwra
tevi an glesin pur hir drefenn an teylu dhe2 vos dhe ves rag havi. Pan2 wrons i
drehedhes tre, res yw spena meur a2 dermyn orth y2 dreghi! Mis-Gwynngala ha mis-
Hedra an fleghes a2 guntell avalow. Mis-Du an bleujennow ha’n losow a2 wra merwel,
ha Yowann a spen nebes dydhyow ow palas an lowarth. Mis-Kevardhu, marow yw an
losow ha pub onan a lever, “Nadelik Lowen!”
Gerva.
Mis-Genver = January rew = frost.
Mis-Hwevrer = February tekter = beauty
Mis-Meurth = March teg = beautiful.
Mis-Ebryl = April treghi = to cut.
Mis-Me = May glesin (p) glesinyow = lawn..
Mis-Metheven = June eghenn (f) = kind, sort.
Mis-Gortheren = July y5 fydh = there will be.
Mis-Est = August skyll = shoots
2
Mis-Gwynngala = September yn-mes a = out of.
Mis-Hedra = October gwydh = trees.
Mis-Du = November . gwydh frutys = fruit trees.
Mis-Kevardhu = December splann = splendid
yeyn yw hi = it is cold ros = roses
gwyns = wind fav = beans
krev = strong avan = raspberries
ergh = snow drefenn = because
koedha = to fail drefenn an teylu dhe2 vos dhe2 ves =
2
ny .... travydh = nothing because the family has gone away
hi a2 gyv = she gets havi = to go on
(kavoes = to get/find) holiday
has = seed(s) orth y2 dreghi = cutting it
losow = vegetables merwel = to die
dor = ground palas = to dig
leun a2 = full of marow = dead
lili Korawys = daffodils Nadelik = Christmas.
(Korawys = Lent.)
Notennow.
Mis-Genver etc. It is usual to put the word “mis” (month) before the name of each
month. The word for “in” is usually omitted before the names of months.
pur yeyn yw hi. “it is very cold.” The feminine pronoun “hi” is used for “it” in weather
and other similar expressions.
ha’ga gorra y’n dor. “and puts them in the ground.” When there is a second main verb
in a sentence closely linked with the first and with the same subject, it may be
expressed as a verb noun instead of a finite verb.
K.D.L. Dyskans tri warn ugens. folenn 2.
3
meur aga thekter. “great their beauty,” i.e. “which are very beautiful.” This form of
expression is very common. We met “meur aga marth” in dyskans 14.
orth y2 dreghi. “cutting it.” “Cutting” alone, would be “ow treghi” (dyskans 11) but if
the participle has a pronoun object, it comes before the verb noun which takes any
necessary mutation and the “ow” alters to “orth.”
Govynnadow.
2
1) Fatell yw an gewer (weather) mis-Genver ha mis-Hwevrer?
2) Pandr’a2 wra Jenifer mis-Meurth?
3) Py bleujennow eus y’n lowarth mis-Meurth?
4) P’eur yw res treghi an glesin?
5) Piw a2 worr has y’n dor? (Who puts seed in the ground?)
6) P’eur eus bleujennow war an gwydh frutys?
7) Pandr’a2 wra Jenifer mis-Gortheren?
8) Prag y5 hwra an glesin tevi hir mis-Est?
9) Piw a2 guntell an avalow mis Gwynngala ha mis-Hedra?
10) Piw a2 wra palas an lowarth?
Gramasek.
Collective nouns. Many nouns which are frequently used-collectively have, in
addition to a plural, a collective form, and this is the most usual form.
(In English we often use the singular form in this way, e.g. “seed, grass, fish” etc
although the plural forms “seeds, grasses, fishes” do also exist.) There are a number of
nouns of this kind in this lesson and they are listed below.
Singular Collective Plural English Plural
hasenn (f) has hasennow seeds
losowenn (f) losow losowys vegetables
lilienn (f) lili liliennow lilies
skyllenn (f) skyll - shoots
gwydhenn (f) gwydh - trees
rosenn (f) ros rosennow roses
favenn (f) fav favennow beans
avanenn (f) avan - raspberries
Notice that the collective is usually shorter than either the singular or plural
forms. In fact this is really the basic form of the word and the singular (or singulative
as it is called in the case of words like these) and the plural are formed by adding to
the collective. The singulative adds “-enn” and is always feminine.
Exercise. Translate the following into Cornish using collective nouns where
appropriate.
1) The daffodils are growing in 8) It is cold in January.
March. 9) Lowena likes to eat raspberries.
2) The garden would not be (ny 10) Shoots grow in April and May.
via) beautiful without them. 11) Are there fruit trees in the
3) We collect beans in July and garden? Yes:
apples in August. 12) Jenifer wanted (to get) a new
4) Yowann cuts the lawn in April. house.
5) The family goes away on 13) Yowann was working in the
holiday in August. garden.
6) “Happy Christmas,” says 14) He was setting seeds in the
Yowann to Jenifer. ground.
7) The vegetables grow in the 15) Peter likes playing (to play)
summer. football.
Skrif.
Write an account of your garden or one you know.
KERNEWEK DRE LYTHER
Dyskans peswar warn ugens Peswara dyskans warn ugens
(The Clock; Numeral Adverbs.)
An2 Orsedh.
Mis Gwynngala y5 hwra Yowann, Jenifer, Lowena ha Peder vyajya y’n karr-
tan rag gweles Gorsedh Kernow. Lowena a2 gar gweles an2 Verdh ha’n Bardhesow
y’ga3 fows2 las splann aga sav war an pras gwyrdh. Hi a2 gar an baneryow rudh, melyn
ha du, ha Kledha Myghtern Arthur ow poyntya troha’n ebrenn. Ass yw gwel brav!
Jenifer a2 gar gweles an mowesi ow tonsya, gwyrdh aga3 fows ha bleujennow y’ga
diwla. Yowann a2 gar an Galow a’n2 Orsedh.
“Eus Kres?” an Bardh Meur a2 wra dhe2 elwel teyrgweyth, ha teyrgweyth an2
Verdh a2 worthyp, “Kres!.”
Ev a2 gar ynwedh an solempnyta kewsys ha kenys yn Kernewek. Wosa mos
dhe’n2 Orsedh lies blydhen, Yowann a woer geryow an solempnyta dre2 gov.
Martesen y5 fydh bardh y honan neb dydh.
Treweythyow yma’n2 Orsedh synsys yn neb tre yn-mysk an chiow, hag ogas
dhe’n eglos. Treweythyow synsys yw pell diworth annedhow mab-den, yn-mysk
gwelyow, breow ha bronnow war an2 oen po an hal, ogas dhe avon, heyl po koes.
Splann yw an howl! Nyns eus nevra hager awel na glaw y’n jydh a’n2 Orsedh!
Gans Berdh Kernow yma Bardh diworth Breten2 Vyghan a2 gews dhe’n
kuntellyans yn Bretonek, ha Bardh diworth Kembra a2 gews dhe’n2 bobel yn
Kembrek.
“A-dherag an Howl, Lagas an Jydh,” yn-medh an Bardh Meur, “an Orsedh yw
igerys:”
Gerva.
Gorsedh (f) = Gorsedd. mowes (f) (p) mowesi = girl
(assembly of Bards) donsya = to dance
vyajya = to go for a trip. diwla = hands
bardh (p) berdh = bard (male) galow = call
bardhes (f) (p) bardhesow = bard (f) kres = peace
pows (f) (p) powsyow = robe gelwel = to call
glas = blue Bardh Meur = Grand Bard
a’ga sav = standing teyrgweyth = three times
pras (p) prasow = meadow gorthybi = to answer
gwyrdh = green solempnyta = ceremony
baner (p) baneryow = banner kewsys = spoken.
rudh = red kenys = sung
melyn = yellow a2 woer = knows
du = black (godhvos = to know.)
kledha (p) kledhedhyow = sword ger (p) geryow = word.
myghtern (p) myghternedh = king kov (p) kovyow = memory.
2
poyntya = to point dre gov = by heart.
troha = towards martesen = perhaps.
ebrenn (f) = sky y5 fydh = he will be.
ass yw gwel brav = what a fine sight synsi = to hold.
it is
K.D.L. Dyskans tri warn ugens folenn 2
yn-mysk = among. avon (f) (p) avonyow = river.
eglos (f) (p) eglosyow = church. koes (p) koesow = wood, forest.
neb tre = some town. Kembra = Wales.
pell = far blydhen(f) (p) blydhynyow = year.
annedh (f) (p) annedhow hager awel = bad weather.
= dwelling. glaw = rain
mab-den = mankind. kuntellyans (p) kuntellyansow =
nyns eus nevra = there is never. gathering
gwel (p) gwelyow = field pobel (f) (p) poblow = people.
bre (f) (p) breow = hill howl = sun.
bronn (f) (p) bronnow = hill lagas = eye.
goen (f) (p) goenyow = down. an jydh = the day
hal (f) (p) halow = moor. (irregular mutation)
Govynnadow.
2
1) P’eur yw an Orsedh synsys?
2) Py liw yw pows an2 Verdh?
3) Pandr’a2 gar Jenifer?
4) Piw a2 wra gelwel, “Eus kres?”
5) Py yeth yw kewsys yn solempnyta an2 Orsedh?
6) Ple ma’n2 Orsedh synsys?
7) Fatell2 gews an Bardh Bretonek ha’n Bardh Kembrek?
8) Pandr’a lever an Bardh Meur?
9) Yw Yowann Bardh an2 Orsedh?
10) A2 garsesta bos Bardh an2 Orsedh?
(Would you like to be....?
Yes, I would like to be... = Karsen, y karsen bos....
No, I would not like to be... = Na2 garsen, ny garsen....)
Gramasek.
Telling the time. Py eur yw hi? = What time is it?
Py eur y5 hwrussons i mos ena? = What time did they go there?
The word “eur” (f) (literally “hour”) stands for Eng. “time” and “o’clock” so:
unn eur yw hi = it is one o’clock. diw eur yw hi = it is two o’clock.
past = wosa so:
deg wosa teyr yw hi = it is ten past three. hanter wosa peder yw hi = it is half past
four.
When past the half hour, e.g. “ten to one”:
The hour is given first, followed by “marnas” (less) and then the number of minutes:
e.g. onan marnas deg yw hi = it is ten to one.
unnek marnas ugens yw hi = it is twenty to eleven.
at = dhe2
e.g. dhe2 bymp eur = at five o’clock.
hanter-dydh = mid-day. hanter-nos = mid-night.
K.D.L. Dyskans peswar warn ugens folenn 3
The feminine forms of 2, 3, and 4 are used when referring to “eur”.
1) What time is it?
2) What time did Yowann come?
3) It is six o’clock.
4) It is ten to five.
5) He came at fifteen minutes to six.
6) We went at ten to ten.
7) It is mid-day.
8) It is ten past two.
9) It is five to six.
10) It is mid-night.
Numeral adverbs. The Grand Bard’s threefold cry of “Peace!” is a good introduction
to these numerals which answer the question: “How many times?” or “How often?” In
English we have “once”, “twice”, and the old-fashioned “thrice”, now replaced by
“three times,” and after that we use the number followed by the word “times.”
Similarly, in Cornish the numeral precedes “gweyth” (times) and is sometimes joined
to it, but “gweyth” is mutated to “weyth” when used with “unn”, “diw”, and “mil”.
Note that sometimes, the “g” alters to “k”.
unnweyth once. ethgweyth eight times.
diwweyth twice. naw gweyth nine times.
teyrgweyth three times. dekkweyth ten times.
pedergweyth four times. kankweyth hundred times
pymp gweyth five times. milweyth thousand times.
hwegh gweyth six times. lieskweyth many times,often.
seythgweyth seven times. py lieskweyth how many
times, how often?

1) How often does Yowann come?
2) He comes twice in the week.
3) Does Jenifer go to the office often?
4) Yes, she goes five times a week. (in the week.)
5) How many times have you been to Cornwall? Many times.
6) How often do you write to your friend? (“to your” = “dhe’th”)
7) I have written once.
8) The Grand Bard calls three times, “Is there peace?”
9) The bards reply three times “Peace:”
10) The Gorsedd is held once every year.
Dyskans pymp warn ugens. KERNEWEK DRE LYTHER Pympes dyskans warn ugens
Revision.
Exercise 1. (See dyskans 4 & 11) Find ten feminine nouns in your own “gerva” and write them out
with “An” in front in singular and in plural, and add their English meaning:
e.g. An2 vyrgh An myrghes The daughter.
Exercise 2. Do the same thing with ten masculine nouns:
e.g. An den An2 dus The man.
Exercise 3. (Dyskans 2 & 11) Write out these twenty nouns again, this time adding a suitable
adjective:
e.g. An2 vamm2 glav An mammow klav The sick mother.
An lyther hir An lytherow hir The long letter.
Exercise 4. (Dyskans 2 & 3) Write five sentences containing “yw”:
e.g. An lyther yw hir.
and five containing “yma.”
e.g. Yma'n lyther war an2 voes.
Exercise 5. (Dyskans 2 & 6) Write five nominal sentences in the present tense:
e.g. Yowann a2 werth lyvrow.
and five in the past tense:
e.g. Anjela a lywyas hy dew2 vargh.
Exercise 6. (Dyskans 4 & 6) Make these sentences negative:
e.g. Ny2 werth Yowann lyvrow.
Anjela ny lywyas hy dew2 vargh.
Exercise 7. (Dyskans 8 & 14) Repeat exercises 5 & 6 using “gul” and the verb-noun:
e.g. Yowann a2 wra gwertha lyvrow.
Anjela a2 wrug lywyas hy dew2 vargh.
Ny2 wra Yowann gwertha lyvrow.
Ny2 wrug Anjela lywyas hy dew vargh.
Exercise 8. (Dyskans 12 & 14) Repeat exercises 5 & 6 using pronoun subjects in verbal sentences.
The actual pronouns may be omitted:
e.g. Y kowsav Kernewek.
Y prenas karr-tan.
Ny2 wrav kelli ow fordh.
Ny2 wrug mos dhe2 Druru.
Exercise 9. (Dyskans 11 & 12) Write five verbal-sentences using a long form of “bos” and “ow4”
with a verb noun:
e.g. Yth esov ow redya.
Exercise 10. (Dyskans 16 & 18) Write five sentences, using in each, one of the verbs “mynnes, gul,
gweles, galloes, and kara.” in the imperfect tense:
e.g. Y5 hyllyn mos pub dydh.
Summary of Lessons - Second/Third Grade.
26) An Tas-gwynn. “Yn unn2” with Verb-Noun. Imperfect of “bos.” Pluperfect of

“bos” and “gul.” “Drefenn” & Kyns” with verb-noun “bos.”
27) Penn Bran. Past Tense of “bos.” Passive with Past Participle. Simple
Passive. “Rag” with “bos.” “Kyns,” “drefenn,” & “rag” with
other verbs. Infixed Object Pronouns.
28) Tas Tewdar. Past and Pluperfect Tenses of “leverel” & “merwel.” Future
of “bos.” Imperfect of “a’m beus.” Reflexive Verbs.
29) Myrgh an Mer. “Dhe2” & “rag” with verb-nouns. Comparison of Adjectives.
Combination of “yn-dann” with. pronouns. Negative
expressions.
30) Revision.
31) An Kynsa Amm. “Awos” with “bos” & other verbs. Conditional. Imperfect
Subjunctive of “gul” & “bos.” Object before Verb in simple
statements. Verb-noun used as a finite verb. “A 2” used as
Relative Pronoun.
32) An Ambos. Summary of the verb “gul.” Indirect Statement with “Subject
+ dhe2 + Verb-noun” and with “y 5” .
33) Tristys Aethelflaed. Summary of “bos.” Affirmative Indirect Statement with
“bos,” Noun & Pronoun Subjects. Conjunctions “pan 2,”
“erna2,” “may5,” & “mar 4,” affirmative and negative.
34) Molleth an Penn. Summary of “mos.” Indirect Statement with “bos,” “Subject
+ dhe2 + Verb-noun” construction & with “y5” clauses with
“b” tenses. Negative Indirect Statement with “bos”.
35) Revision.
36) Athelstan. Summary of “gweles.” Verbs taking “dhe2” with Direct

Object. Conjunctions “dell2” & “kettell 2.”
37) Tus Ifarn. Summary of “dos.” Conjunctions “kyn 5,” “a-ban 2,” Adverb
“nammna2.”
38) Souder Sowsnek. Summary of “glanhe.” Conjunctions with Infixed Object
Pronouns, affirmative and negative. Indirect Statement with
“Future in the Past.”
39) Fo. Summary of “mynnes.” Present Participle with “orth” and
Object Pronoun. Compound Prepositions.
40) Revision.
41) Hembrenkyas Nowydh. Summary of “godhvos.” Present Subjunctive with “erna2,”

“pan2,” “kettell2,” etc. Verb-noun as object of verb. “Rag,”
and “Dhe2” with verb-noun to express purpose. “Mar 2/Maga5
.... . . avel/de112” = “as.... .as”.
42) Troha Lannstefan. Summary of “galloes.” Subjunctive with Superlatives. Verb-
noun as Subject of Sentence.
43) Tan. Summary of “leverel.” Subjunctive with “may5” showing
purpose.
44) Droglamm. Summary of “previ.” Subjunctive with Indefinite Subject.
“Sitting, Lying, Standing.”
45) Revision.
Summary of Lessons - Second/Third Grade.
46) Aethelflaed a gyv an Penn. Summary of “doen.” Dual parts of the body. “Na2” with
negative relative clauses.
47) Das-unnys. Summary of “kara.” “Dhe2 .......dhe2” with comparatives.
48) Gwydhvosenn ha Gwydhenn know.

Summary of “a’m beus.” “Ha” and Prepositions with
Possessives. Suffixed Pronouns.
49) Lannstefan ha Lowena. Summary of “tyli.” Prepositions with Relative Pronouns.
50) Revision.
A number of the latest 3rd Grade Past Papers for practice.
(Copies of second grade papers will be sent, on request to students who have reached lesson
40.)
Dyskans hwegh warn ugens. Hweghves dyskans warn ugens
(“Yn unn2” with Verb-Noun. Imperfect of “bos.” Pluperfect of “bos” and “gul.” “Drefenn” &
“Kyns” with verb-noun “bos.”)
Karesk 936 A.D.
(This tale was first written for the 1983 Gorsedh Kernow Cornish Language Prose
Competition and was awarded first place. It was later serialised to form the story back ground
for the K.D.L. Second Grade Course, which is now the Second/Third Grade Course. It is
based on the historical expulsion of the Cornish from Exeter by Athelstan, but all the
characters in the story, except Bishop Asser and King Athelstan are fictitious.)
An Tas-gwynn.
Ass ova skwith! Tewdar re bia ow4 konis y’n gwel yn-mes a’n fos a-ban 2 dhrehevis
an howl, ha pur2 doemm o an gewer. Res o dhodho kerdhes ryb fos an 2 ger bys y’n yet, hag
alena a-hys an stret erna2 dhrehedhas an chiow ha’n krowjiow may triga an 2 Gernowyon. Chi
Tewdar o nebes brassa ages an chiow erell a’n kwartron. Y2 das o hembrenkyas an bagas a2
Gernowyon re2 wrussa triga yn Karesk gans an Sowson dres lies blydhen. Y2 das-gwynn re
wrussa dos dhe2 Garesk nans o dewgens blydhen yn termyn Epskop Asser drefenn bos
Kembro an Epskop da na. Kar an 2 Geltyon ha kar an myghtern sowsnek kekeffrys ova.
Lemmyn pur2 goth, ha pur2 glav o an tas-gwynn. Hag ev ow nessa daras an chi,
Tewdar a omwovynnas fatell o gans an den koth. Yn sur, nyns esa dhodho lies dydh dhe2
vywa. Y5 teuth ev bys y’n daras ha mos a-ji. Pur 2 dewl o a-bervedh. Kales o gweles y2 das-
gwynn a’y2 worwedh yn korn an stevell, ha’y2 vamm a’y esedh war skavell rybdho.
“Fatell yw ganso?” a2 wovynnas Tewdar.
Nyns esa gorthyp, mes y2 vamm a sevis yn lent ha dos war-tu ha’n den yowynk.
Wor’tiwedh hi a2 gewsis yn unn hwystra. Yn-medh hi,
“Dha2 das-gwynn yma ow merwel. Res yw porres mos dhe’n managhti ha kavoes
onan a’n 2 bronteryon rag y assoylya kyns hy bos re2 dhiwedhes.”
“Ass ov vy skwith, a2 vamm”, yn-medh Tewdar. “Gas vy dhe bowes kyns, ha ro
dhymm korev dhe2 eva.”
Troblys o an 2 venyn 2 dha. Pyth o an moyha bysi, enev divarow an den koth, po korf
skwithys hy mab? Hi a ros hanaf a2 gorev dhe2 Dewdar, ha leverel,
“Wel, gwra gortos gans dha2 das-gwynn. Mos ow honan a2 wrav.”
Tewdar a esedhas war an skavell yn le y2 vamm ha mires orth y2 das-gwynn. Nyns esa
arwoedh bywnans war y enep, mes movyans y skevens a2 dhiskwedhas ev dhe2 vywa hwath.
Gerva.
Karesk = Exeter. a-ban 2 = since.

tas-gwynn = grandfather. drehevel = to rise.
Ass ova skwith! = How tired he was! ker (f) (p) keryow = fortified city
re bia = had been. yet (f) (p) yettys = gate.
gonis = to work.
toemm = hot.
K.D.L. Dyskans hwegh warn ugens. folenn 2.
Gerva.
a-hys = along. rybdho = by him.
2
erna = until. sevel = to stand.
krowji (p) krowjiow = cottage yn lent = slowly.
war-tu ha = towards. porres = urgently.
may5 = in which, where. managhti (p) managhtiow = monastery,
brassa = bigger. minster
ages = than. pronter (p) pronteryon = priest.
kwartron = quarter. assoylya = to shrive.
hembrenkyas = leader. (kyns hy bos = (before it is
re2 wrussa triga = had lived. re2 dhiwedhes) too late.)
Sows (p) Sowson = Saxon. gasa = to allow, let.
re2 wrussa dos = had come. ro = give (imperative)
epskop (p) epskobow = bishop. troblys = troubled.
drefenn bos ) (because that moyha = most.
Kembro an ) = (good bishop bysi = important
epskop da na.) (was a Welshman. enev (p) enevow = soul.
nesa = to approach. divarow = immortal.
omwovynn = to wonder. korf (p) korfow = body.
fatell o = how it was ros (past t. of “ri”) = gave.
bywa = to live. gortos = to wait, stay
a-ji = indoors. ow honan = myself
a-bervedh = inside. enep (p) enebow = face.
a’y worwedh = lying. movyans = movement
korn (p) kernow = corner. skevens = lungs.
a’y esedh = sitting. hwedhel (p) hwedhlow = story.
skavell (f) (p) skavellow = stool, bench. kar (p) kerens = kinsman, friend
Govynnadow.
1) Ple hwer (happens) an hwedhel ma?

2) Prag yth o Tewdar skwith?
3) Prag yth o chi Tewdar brassa es an chiow erell a’n kwartron?
4) P’eur5 hwrussa tas-gwynn Tewdar dos dhe2 Garesk?
5) Piw o Asser?
6) Prag yth o kales gweles tas-gwynn Tewdar?
7) Prag yth esa mamm Tewdar a’y esedh?
8) Fatell2 gewsis mamm Tewdar?
9) Pandr’a2 wrug mamm Tewdar pan na2 vynna ev mos dhe’n managhti?
10) Fatell 2 wodhya Tewdar an tas-gwynn dhe2 vywa hwath?
Gramasek.
“Yn unn 2” with verb noun.
e.g. Hi a2 gewsis yn unn hwystra. = She spoke in a whisper.
The verb-noun used in this way is, in fact, more noun than verb, and the whole phrase acts as
an adverb to show how the action of the main verb is carried out. Here are more examples:
e.g. Ev a2 dheuth yn unn 2 boenya. = He came at a run (He ran up.)

Hi eth yn unn fistena. = She went in a hurry. (She hurried off.)
There are a number of ways of expressing these adverbial phrases in English. The exercise
below shows some of them.
Exercise 1. Translate the following sentences into Cornish, using one of the phrases starting
with “yn unn2” which are given below. In some cases two English versions are given, one
normal English, the other a little closer to the Cornish.
1) He went into the house at a walk. (He walked into the house.)
2) He went to Truro in a hurry. (He hurried to Truro.)
3) They worked in a tiring way.
4) He laughed playfully.
5) They spoke in a whisper.
6) She talked with a song. (in a sing-song voice).
7) He went down (yn-nans) the hill sliding. (He slid down the hill)
8) They went to New Zealand sailing. (They sailed to N.Z.)
yn unn2 gerdhes; yn unn skwitha; yn unn hwystra; yn unn slynkya; yn unn fistena; yn unn2
wari; yn unn2 gana; yn unn 2 woelya.
Imperfect of “bos” (to be). As with the present tense (Dyskans 12), there is a short and long
form, with the long form showing where a person/thing was, or what it was doing. The short
form shows who, what, or how he/she/it was.
Long.
esen = I was/used to be. esen = We were etc.
eses = You were etc. esewgh = You were etc.
esa = He/She/It was etc. esens = They were etc.
Short.
en = I was/used to be. en = We were etc.
es = You were etc. ewgh = You were etc.
o = He/she/It was etc. ens = They were etc..
The long forms are used in the present and imperfect tenses to translate “There
is/are/was/were.”
e.g. Nyns esa gorthyp. = There was no answer.
These forms are often used with suffixed pronouns as given in dyskans 12 and there is an
example of another one in the story:
e.g.. Ass ova skwith! = How tired he was!

1) I was very troubled. 6) There was no sign of life.
2) We were in Exeter. 7) I was working in the field.
3) They were Cornish. 8) How tired he was!
4) The Cornish were in Exeter. 9) We were tired also.
5) You were Tewdar’s mother. 10) His father was the leader.
Pluperfect of “bos.”
bien = I had been. bien = We had been.
bies = You had been. biewgh = You had been.
bia = He/She/It had been. biens = They had been.
The perfect verbal particle “re” is commonly used with the pluperfect tense in
nominal sentences, though “a 2” is used when the tense is used conditionally. (e.g.. = “I would
be” etc. This will be dealt with later, dyskans 31.) “A2” is also possible, though less usual
with the pluperfect use. Although “re” normally causes second state mutation, it does not do
so when used with “bos.”
In verbal sentences the particle “y 5” is used.
The normal negative particle is “ny2.”
e.g. Tewdar re bia ow konis. = Tewdar had been working.

My re bia yn Aberfal. = I had been in Falmouth.
Y5 fien trist kyns dha2 weles. = I had been sad before seeing you.
Y5 fiens i yn Truru. = They had been in Truro.
Ny2 via ev ow kewsel. = He had not been talking.
1) The Cornish had been in Exeter.

2) Tewdar had been working since the sun rose.
3) We had been ill.
4) Asser had been Bishop of Exeter.
5) He had been sitting in the corner.
6) I had been in Tewdar’s house.
7) Tewdar’s father had been in the monastery.
8) They had been too late.
9) She had been sitting on the stool.
10) There had been no sign of life on his face.
Pluperfect of “gul.”
gwrussen = I had done/made. gwrussen = We had done/made.

gwrusses = You had done/made. gwrussewgh = You had done/made.
gwrussa = He/she/It had done/made. gwrussens = They had
done/made.
Verbal particles are as shown above for “bos” except that “re2” does cause the normal
second state mutation. As you know, “gul” can be used as a verb by itself, or as an auxiliary
with other verbs.
e.g. Mamm Tewdar re2 wrussa sevel. = Tewdar’s mother had got up.
An2 Gernowyon re wrussa triga yn Karesk. = The Cornish had lived in Exeter.
Y5 hwrussen vy mos dhe’n managhti. = I had gone to the monastery.
My re2 wrussa gweles fos Karesk. = I had seen the wall of Exeter.
Ny2 wrussens i triga yn Kernow. = They had not lived in Cornwall.

Exercise 4. Translate the following into Cornish, using the pluperfect tense of “gul.”
1) The Cornish had lived there many years.

2) Tewdar had gone to see his grandfather.
3) His mother had sat on the stool by his bed.
4) The mother had not answered.
5) The priest had shriven the old man.
6) We had lived in Cornwall in the time of Bishop Asser.
7) She had stood up slowly.
8) He had drunk the beer.
9) I had come to Exeter twenty years ago.
10) We had walked by the city wall.
“Drefenn” (because) and “kyns” (before) with “bos” and noun subject
A number of prepositions, including “drefenn” and “kyns” can govern verb-nouns

just like normal nouns, but they are often best translated by a clause in English, which may be
any tense, according to the context.
e.g. drefenn bos Kembro an Epskop da ma. = because this good Bishop is/was a
Welshman.
drefenn bos Tewdar skwith. = because Tewdar is/was tired.
This construction can only be used with the verb “bos” and with a noun subject. The
same construction is used with “kyns.”
e.g. kyns bos Asser Epskop Karesk. = before Asser was Bishop of Exeter.
1) because his grandfather was ill.

2) because Tewdar is tired.
3) because his mother was on the stool.
4) because his father is the leader.
5) because Asser was the Bishop.
6) because his grandfather is dead.
7) before Tewdar was a man.
8) before his father was the leader.
9) before his father is troubled.
10) before there was a stool in the corner.
“Drefenn” and “kyns” with “bos” and pronoun subject.
In this case the English pronoun subject, in the form of a possessive adjective (Dyskans 14)
comes after “drefenn” or “kyns” and before “bos.”
e.g. kyns y2 vos re2 dhiwedhes = before its being too late (before it is too late)
drefenn ow bos yn Kernow. = because I am in Cornwall.
K.D.L. Dyskans hwegh warn ugens folenn 6.
1) because I am/was too late.

2) before you are too old.
3) because she is Tewdar’s mother.
4) before he was in the house.
5) because we are happy.
6) before you were an old man.
7) because he is Cornish.
8) before we are tired.
9) because he is dying.
10) because he was a friend of the English king.
(Again, the Cornish phrase is the same, no matter what was the tense of the English clause.)
Dyskans seyth warn ugens. Seythves dyskans warn ugens.
(Preterite tense of “bos.” Passive with Past Participle. Impersonal forms. “Rag” with “bos.”
“Kyns,” “drefenn,” and “rag” with other verbs. Infixed object pronouns.)
Penn Bran.
Yth esa kyst an tas-gwynn ryb y2 weli, ha gwel Tewdar a2 asas an den koth, dhe2
wortos war an 2 gyst. Y’n2 gyst, dell2 wodhya Tewdar yn 5 ta, yth esa kyst arall. Gnas an 2 gyst
ma o na2 yllys hy igeri heb shyndya an 2 gyst hy honan. Pan o flogh, y2 das-gwynn re2 wrussa
diskwedhes an 2 gyst dhe2 Dewdar lieskweyth. Yth esa gensi hwedhel pur ankoth, ha’n tas-
gwynn re2 wrussa y leverel treweythyow dhe2 Dewdar, hag ev a’n godhya dre gov. Herwydh
y2 das-gwynn, yth esa yn termyn eus passyes, kyns an Sowson dhe2 dhos dhe Ynys Breten,
myghtern meur y2 vri yn-mysk an 2 Vrythonyon, Bran, po Bren y hanow. Bran eth dhe
Iwerdhon dhe2 gavoes kalter hudel, mes goliys veu, hag ev a worhemmynnas dh’y2 dus ma’n
dibennens i. Seyth den a2 dhug an Penn dhe Loundres ha’y ynkleudhyas y’n Bronn Wynn.
An seyth den a2 drigas seyth blydhen ha peswar ugens “yn helder an Penn,” ha wor’tiwedh y5
feu ynkleudhys herwydh gorhemmynn Bran. Wosa lies blydhen, an Penn a veu kemmerys
yn-mes a’n dor gans Myghtern Arthur. An Penn ma, Penn Bran, yn kyst y2 das-gwynn yth
esa!
“Tewdar.”
An den yowynk a2 viras orth y2 das-gwynn, meur y2 varth. Yth esa an den koth ow
kewsel, nerthek hag ughel y lev. Yn-medh ev,
“Na2 drest nevra dhe lavar den!

Gwith pub eur oll an 2 gyst ha’n Penn,
Rag ow bos ow honan - BREN!”
Ena, isel y lev, ha deges arta y2 dhewlagas, an tas-gwynn a2 gewsis, pur2 gosel.
“Tewdar, res porres yw gwitha an Penn yn 5 tiogel. Mar4 kwra mos dhe2-ves, traow
euthek a wra hwarvos!”
Wosa hemma, enev an den koth eth dhe’n Dyw a’y2 dasow.
Gerva.
kyst (f) (p) kystyow = box. Ynys Breten = the Island of Britain
godhya = knew. bri = renown.
(godhvos = to know) yn mysk = among.
gnas (f) = nature. Brythonyon = Britons..
na2 yllys = that it was not possible. Iwerdhon = Ireland.
shyndya = to damage. kalter (f) (p) kalteryow = kettle, cauldron.
hy honan = herself/itself. hudel = magic.
lieskweyth = many times. goliys veu = he was wounded.
hwedhel (p) hwedhlow = story. (pron. “gol-i -ys”)
ankoth = strange. gorhemmynn (dhe2) = to order
2
ev a’n godhya dre gov = diogel = safe..
he knew it by heart. ma’n dibennens i. = that they should
behead him.
yn termyn eus passyes = in time gone by dug = carried.
kyns an Sowson dhe dhos = (doen = to carry)
before the Saxons came.
K.D.L. Dyskans seyth warn ugens. folenn 2.
Gerva.
Loundres = London. trestya = to trust.
ynkleudhyas = to bury. lavar (p) lavarow = word.
helder = hospitality. gwitha = to keep.
y5 feu ynkleudhys = it was buried. pub eur oll = always.
a2 veu kemmerys = was taken rag ow bos = because I am.
marth = surprise. isel = low, quiet.
nerthek = strong. dewlagas = (two) eyes.
ughel = high, loud. mar 4 = if.
lev (p) levow = voice. hwarvos = to happen.
kosel = quiet Dyw = God.
Govynnadow.
1) Pleth esa an 2 gyst?
2) Prag na2 yllys igeri an 2 gyst?
3) Pandr’a2 wrussa an tas-gwynn dhe2 wul pan o Tewdar flogh?
4) P’eur o Bran myghtern yn Ynys Breten?
5) Prag yth eth Bran dhe Iwerdhon?
6) Ple5 hwrug an seyth den doen Penn Bran?
7) Piw a2 gemmeras an Penn yn-mes a’n dor?
8) Pleth esa an Penn lemmyn?
9) Fatell2 wrug kewsel an tas-gwynn?
10) Pandr’a2 wra hwarvos mar 4 kwra an Penn mos dhe2-ves
Gramasek.
Preterite (Past) tense of “bos.”

beuv = I was. beun = We were.
beus = You were, bewgh = You were.
beu = He/She/It was. bons = They were.
Passive with Past Participle. The preterite tense of “bos” is used with the Past Participle to
make a verb Passive in the past tense.
e.g. Goliys veu. = He was wounded.

Y5 feu ynkleudhys = It was buried.
An Penn a2 veu kemmerys yn-mes a’n dor. = The Head was taken out of the ground.
You will see that the Past Participle generally ends in “-ys.” However verb-nouns which end
in “-ya” have an alternative form “-yes.” Here are more examples.
e.g.. Y5 feuv gwelys. = I was seen.

Y5 fons i goliys. = They were wounded.
Yn termyn eus passyes. = In the past.
Skrifys veu an lyther. = The letter was written.
Y5 feu an lyther skrifys. = The letter was written.
Note that if the Past Participle comes before the verb “bos,” the particle “a 2” is omitted, but
second state mutation takes place just as if it were there, but it is not possible to mark this as
is usually done in this course because the actual cause of the mutation is missing.
Exercise 1. Translate the following sentences into Cornish. Start the first five with “Y 5 +
verb” and the second five with the past participle.
1) He was seen. 6) I was lost.
2) I was wounded. 7) The box was damaged.
3) They were buried. 8) The book was read.
4) The door was opened. 9) The car was driven.
5) The grandfather was shriven. l0) You were called.
One may also translate such sentences as Nominal Sentences,
e.g. An den a2 veu goliys. = The man was wounded.
If a continuing state, rather than an action of limited duration is indicated, the imperfect of
“bos” is used, and some of the examples above could be taken in this way in the appropriate
context,
e.g. An den o goliys. = The man was wounded. (State as opposed to action in previous
example. It might also translate as “The man had been wounded”)
Exercise 2. Translate the following into Cornish, using nominal sentences and the imperfect
tense of “bos” as in the example.
1) I was wounded. 4) The books were lost.
2) The Head was buried. 5) The man was called Tewdar.
3) The door was open. (= opened)
Here are some past participles you will need for exercises 1 & 2.
igerys = open(ed); kellys = lost; redys = read;

gelwys = called; assoylys = shriven; shyndys = damaged;
lywys = driven.
N.B. Some past participles show us examples of “vowel affection”. The past participle
ending “…ys” causes vowels like “o” and “a” to change.
e.g. Keblys (blamed) from Kabla (to blame). Mevys (moved, excited) comes from the
verb- noun Movya and therefore has an alternative form “movyes”, notice there is no
vowel affection with “-yes.”
The Impersonal forms of verbs. These end in “-s” in the imperfect tense and “- r” in the
present tense.
e.g. ...na2 yllys hy igeri. = ...that it was not possible to open it.
This example from the story is in the imperfect but it is more often used in the present tense.
e.g. Y5 hyllir kewsel Kernewek. = It is possible to speak Cornish (Cornish can be spoken.)
Impersonal verbs are usually translated into English by a passive verb form or by using “one”
as an indefinite subject.
e.g. Y kewsir Kernewek = Cornish is spoken.

Y5 hwerthir pastis omma. = Pasties are sold here.
Y prenir toknys omma. = One buys tickets here.
(The most literal sense is “There is a speaking/buying.”)

1) It is possible to bury the Head.
2) Pasties are sold in Cornwall.
3) Books are bought and sold here.
4) One can see Pendennis Castle across the estuary.
5) Cornish was spoken in Exeter.
“Rag” with “bos.” “Rag” is used in the same way as “kyns” and “drefenn.” (Dyskans 26.)
e.g. Rag ow bos ow honan Bran! = Because I myself am Bran.

Rag bos Bran dyw an 2 Vrythonyon.= Because Bran was a god of the Britons.
“Kyns,” “Drefenn,” “Rag,” with other verbs. If these words are used with a verb other than
“bos,” the “subject + dhe2 + verb-noun” construction is used.
e.g. Kyns an Sowson dhe2 dhos. = Before the English came.
The word is followed by the subject of the clause (noun or pronoun), then by “dhe2” then by
the verb-noun. More examples:
e.g. drefenn Tewdar dhe2 vos tre. = because Tewdar went home.
kyns ev dhe2 vires orth y2 das-gwynn. = before he looked at his grandfather.
rag an tas-gwynn dhe2 verwel. = because the grandfather died.
The tense corresponds to the main verb.
Exercise 4. Translate the following sentences into Cornish using the “subject + dhe2 + verb-
noun” construction as in the examples above.
1) Before Tewdar’s grandfather died, he spoke.

2) He speaks because Tewdar wants to get the box.
3) Bran was wounded before he got the magic cauldron. (Use the passive, not the
impersonal for this.)
4) He was tired before he drank the beer.
5) They live in London because they keep the head safely.
6) Tewdar could rest because his mother went to the monastery.
7) He was king before Bran went to Ireland.
8) King Arthur was angry because they buried the Head.
9) I will look before I open the door.
10) Before his grandfather spoke, Tewdar was looking at the box.
Infixed Object Pronouns.
e.g. Ev a’n godhya. = He knew it.

..ma’n dibennens i. = ..that they should behead him.
In these two examples the “’n” represents “it” in the first case, and “him” in the second. These
words are the objects of their respective verbs, and they are pronouns, so they are Object
Pronouns. Here are some simpler examples:
e.g. My a’n pren = I shall buy it.

Hi a’gas gwel = She sees you.
Dha fleghes a’th kar = Thy children love thee.
These pronouns are called “Infixed Object Pronouns” because they are infixed between the
verbal particle (a2, y5 or ny2) and the verb itself. Here is a full list of them.
’m = me. ’gan = us
’th5 = you. ’gas = you.
’n = him/it. ’s = them.
’s = her/it
e.g. Y’th 5 welav. = I see you.

Ev a’m kar. = He likes me.
Myghtern Arthur a’n kemmeras yn-mes a’n dor. = King Arthur took it out of the
ground.
Note the following points:

1) These pronouns are used in nominal and verbal sentences, but not with “gul” and a verb-
noun. In that case possessive adjectives are used. See dyskans 14.
2) The verb does not mutate except after “’th 5”. This is the modified mixed mutation.
1) She saw us.

2) We found them.
3) Tewdar heard him.
4) I do not like you.
5) You send it.
6) Tewdar’s mother sent him.
7) Bran’s men buried it.
8) They showed them.
9) He hears me.
10) He sends her.
Skrif.
Imagine you are Tewdar’s grandfather, and tell the story of how the box which is supposed to
contain Bran’s Head came into your possession.
Dyskans eth warn ugens. Ethves dyskans warn ugens
(Preterite and Pluperfect Tenses of “leverel” and “merwel.” Future of “bos.” Imperfect of
“a’m beus.” Reflexive Verbs.)
Tas Tewdar.
Pur2 droblys o Tewdar. Y2 das-gwynn re2 vawrsa gans lavarow mar 2 goynt war y2
anow. Yn le gelwe1 hanow Yesu po Maria2 Wynn po onan an Sens, y2 das-gwynn re2 vawrsa
ow kelwel neb myghtern po dyw an 2 dhrewydhyon. Y enev a2 wre mos dhe Ifarn a-dhesempis,
ha nyns esa maner vydh dh’y2 weres! Tewdar a2 wortas ryb y2 das-gwynn. Ny2 ylli gul
travydh kyns y2 vamm ha’y2 das dhe2 dhehweles. Ev a2 worras kywlet war y enep. Yth esa lies
preder ow tremena der y2 vrys.
“Rag ow bos ow honan - Bran!” Y2 das-gwynn re lavarsa dhodho neppyth a’n
tybyansow a’n 2 dhrewydhyon yn oesow koth. Enev den a ylli mos yn korf mil, hag ena yn
korf den arall. A2 ylli passya enev Bran dres an oesow dhe gorf y2 das-gwynn? Yth esa an
howl ow sedhi, ha Tewdar a’n jevo own hag ev y honan gans an korf, ha tybyansow dyowlek
yn y2 vrys.
Distowgh, yth esa tros war y lergh, ha’y2 das a2 dheuth a-ji.
“Fatla gans dha2 das-gwynn? Ple’ma dha2 vamm?” yn-medh ev heb hedhi. Den bysi o
tas Tewdar. Yth esa ganso bargen-tir byghan ha’n hwel ynwedh a2 vos menowgh erbynn mer
an2 dre yn kever negys ynter an 2 Gernowyon ha’ga3 hentrevogyon sowsnek. Ny’n jevo termyn
dhe skoellya.
Wostalleth, ny2 ylli Tewdar leverel travydh. Ev a2 dhiskwedhas an korf kudhys dh’y2
das.
“Yw marow?” a2 besyas an tas heb hedhi, owth omsoena kepar ha pan 2 wrella nebonan
merwel pub dydh an seythun. Tewdar a omsoenas ynwedh yn skav. Prag na2 wrussa gul henna
kyns? Arwoedh an 2 Grows a2 wrussa pellhe y2 dybyansow dyowlek.
“Ple’ma dha2 vamm?” an tas a wovynnas arta.
“Mos dhe’n managhti a2 wrug hi rag kavoes pronter, mes lemmyn re2 dhiwedhes yw.”
“Ytho, res vydh dhis mos dhe2 ves rag hy3 havoes, ha mos dhe’n managhti dhe leverel
dhe’n alusener pyth re hwarva.” Hag ev ow leverel an geryow ma, yth igoras kyst2 vras an
tas-gwynn, ha kemmeres anedhi an 2 gystenn hag ynni an Penn.’
“Ha kemmer an 2 gyst2 goth ma ha’y gorra war an kals a skoellyon usi orth penn an
stret!”
Gerva.
re2 vawrsa = had died. kywlet (p) kewlettys = coverlet.

2
mar = so, such. preder (m) prederow = thought.
ganow (p) ganowow = mouth. tremena der = to pass through
war y2 anow = on his lips. brys (p) brysyow = mind.
sans (p) sens = saint. tybyans (p) tybyansow = fancy.
Maria2 Wynn = Blessed Mary. oes (p) oesow = age, period
neb = some. mil (p) miles = animal.
drewydh (p) drewydhyon = druid. sedhi = to set (sun)
Ifarn = Hell. a’n jevo own = was afraid.
hag ev y honan = as he was alone. dyowlek = devilish.
a-dhesempis = immediately. tros = noise.
nyns esa maner vydh = war-lergh = behind.
there was no way. war y lergh = behind him.
gweres = to help. bargen-tir = farm.
dehweles = to return.
K.D.L. Dyskans eth warn ugens. folenn 2.
Gerva.
hwel (p) hwelyow = work, job. omsoena = to cross oneself.
mos erbynn = to meet. yn skav = quickly.
mer (p) meryon = reeve. a2 wrussa pellhe = would drive away
negys (p) negysyow = business. vydh = will be.
kentrevek (p) kentrevogyon = alusener (p) alusenoryon = almoner
neighbour. re hwarva = has happened..
ny’n jevo = did not have. kystenn (f) (p) kystennow = (small) box
skoellya = to waste. hag ynni an penn =
wostalleth = at first. in which the head
(was)
kudhys = covered. kemmer = take (imperative)
kepar ha pan 2 ) (as if (kemmeres = to take.)

wrella nebonan) = (someone kals = pile.
merwel. ) (died. skoellyon = rubbish.
Govynnadow.
1) Prag yth o Tewdar troblys?

2) Ple5 hwre enev an Tas-gwynn mos?
3) Prag na2 ylli Tewdar gul travydh?
4) Yw tas-gwynn Tewdar Bran yn hwir?
5) Prag yth esa own dhe2 Dewdar?
6) Py par (what kind of) den o tas Tewdar?
7) Prag yth omsoenas Tewdar?
8) Prag y leveris Tewdar, “Lemmyn, re2 dhiwedhes yw.”?
9) Pandr’a2 wrug tas Tewdar?
10) A2 wodhya tas Tewdar bos Penn Bran y’n 2 gyst?
Gramasek.
Preterite Tense of “leverel” (to say) and “merwel” (to die).

leveris = I said. merwis = I died.
leversys = You said. merwsys or mewrsys = You died.
leveris = He/She/It said. merwis = He/She/It died.
leversyn = We said. merwsyn or mewrsyn = We died.
leversowgh = You said. merwsowgh or mewrsowgh = You died.
lavarsons = They said marwsons or mawrsons = They died
Please note:-
1) The 3rd. sing of verbs ending in “-el” ends in “-is”, though that of most verbs ends in “-
as.”
2) The w in the forms of “merwel” is virtually silent when it occurs between two consonants,
i.e. in “merwsys, merwsyn,” and “merwsowgh” and so does not form a syllable. The stress
therefore always falls on the first syllable.
Exercise 1. Translate the following into Cornish using verbal sentences, and nominal
sentences wherever possible. Use simple sentences (i.e. not with “gul” or “mynnes” etc.)
e.g. Y leveris; My a leveris.
1) I said. 6) Bran did not die.

2) They died. 7) She did not die
3) They did not say. 8) They said.
4) The old man died. 9) We did not say.
5) Bran said. 10) You said.
Pluperfect of “leverel” and “merwel.”

lavarsen = I had said. marwsen or mawrsen = I had died.
lavarses = You had said. marses or mawrses = You had died.
lavarsa = He/She/It had said. marwsa or mawrsa = He/She/It had
died.
lavarsen = We had said. marwsen or mawrsen = We had died.
lavarsewgh = You had said. marwsewgh or mawrsewgh = You had
died.
lavarsens = They had said. marwsens or mawrsens = They
had died.
Please note:
1) The 2nd and 3rd persons plural of most verbs end in “-owgh” and “-ons” respectively in
the present and preterite tenses and “-ewgh” and “-ens” respectively in the imperfect and
pluperfect tenses.
2) With the pluperfect tense the usual particle in affirmative nominal sentences is “re2” as was
mentioned in dysk. 26.
e.g. Ev re2 vawrsa. = He had died.
Exercise 2. Translate the following into Cornish as in exercise 1.

1) He had died. 6) You had said.
2) The woman had said. 7) She had died.
3) They had died. 8) He had said.
4) Tewdar had not said. 9) I had not said.
5) We had said. 10) The men had died.
Remember it is also possible to translate all these sentences in Exercises 1 & 2 using the
corresponding tense of “gul” and the verb-noun.
Exercise 3. Translate the following into Cornish in as many ways as possible, i.e. using verbal
and nominal sentences (where possible) with and without “gul.”
1) The grandfather died. 3) She had said.
2) You said. 4) They had not died.
Future of “bos”.” Most Cornish verbs have one form for the present and future tenses, but
“bos” is different. It has a separate future tense as follows:
bydhav = I shall be. bydhyn = We shall be.
bydhydh = You will be. bydhowgh = You will be.
bydh = He/She/It will be bydhons =. They will be.
When the “b” tenses of “bos” are preceded by the complement, the particle “a 2” is omitted,
but second state mutation still takes place, just as if it were there.
e.g. Res vydh dhis mos dhe2 ves. = You will have to go away.
Lowen vydhav. = I shall be happy.
Trist vydhons. = They will be sad.
In such cases it is not possible to give the mutation number because the particle which
actually gives rise to it is missing. However, if the subject comes first, as in a nominal
sentence, “a 2” is used.
e.g. An Penn a2 vydh kellys. = The Head will be lost.
Tewdar a2 vydh trist. = Tewdar will be sad.
When the verb comes first, in a verbal sentence, “y 5” is used as normal:

e.g. Y5 fydh war 2 gals a skoellyon. = It will be on a heap of rubbish.
Y5 fydh Tewdar y’n chi. = Tewdar will be in the house.
Exercise 4. Translate the following into Cornish in three different ways:

e.g. The weather will be hot = (1) Toemm vydh an 2 gewer.
(2) An 2 gewer a2 vydh toemm.
(3) Y5 fydh an 2 gewer toemm.
1) The old man will be dead 4) You will be busy.

2) I shall be tired. 5) They will be sad.
3) We shall be late.
Imperfect of “a’m beus.” (I have) This verb does not have a verb-noun form, and is always
referred to as “a’m beus” which is actually the first person singular present tense, and
translates as “I have.” It is, perhaps, less common than “Yma genev” and “Yma dhymm” but
we meet it sometimes:
e.g. Ny’n jevo termyn dhe skoellya. = He did not have time to waste.
Tewdar a’n jevo own. = Tewdar had fear. (= was afraid.)
The forms given, incorporating the particle. “a 2,” are those used when preceded by a
subject (noun or pronoun) or object, and so forming a nominal sentence:
My a’m bo = I had. Ni a’gan bo = We had.

Ty a’th o = You had. Hwi a’gas bo = You had.
Ev a’n jevo = He/It had. I a’s tevo = They had.
Hi a’s tevo = She/It had An2 dus a’s tevo = The men had.
An den a’n jevo = The man had.
An2 venyn a’s tevo = The woman had.
You will see that this is quite unlike any other verb, but is, in fact, formed from the verb
“bos” and is used according to the above pattern. An object may precede the verb in which
case the subject is omitted or put after the verb.
e.g. Own a’n jevo (ev) = He had fear (was afraid.)

If there is no subject or object before the verb, the sentence becomes a verbal one and “y”
replaces “a” as the particle:
e.g. Y’m bo own. = I was afraid.
Y’gas bo chi nowydh. = You had a new house.
If the verb is negative “ny” replaces both “y” and “a.”
e.g. An den ny’n jevo gwreg. = The man did not have a wife.
Own ny’m bo. = I was not afraid.
Exercise 5. Translate the following into Cornish, using the imperfect of “a’m beus.”
1) The grandfather had a box. 6) I had a stool.
2) He had a house. 7) Bran had a magic cauldron.
3) Tewdar did not have a farm. 8) They did not have a cauldron.
4) We had a car. 9) She had a small box.
5) The bishop did not have a car. l0) King Arthur did not have Exeter.
Reflexive Verbs. The action of these verbs “reflects” or “bends back” to the doer, so that the
subject does something to himself.
e.g. “I wash myself.”
In Cornish the word for “self” is “om2, “ prefixed to the verb:
e.g. Govynn = to ask; om2wovynn = “to ask oneself” (which usually translates as “to
wonder.”)
As in this case, the reflexive sense of the verb is not always obvious in the normal
English translation.
We have met the following reflexive verbs so far in the course: (As the prefix “om2”
forms a single word. with the verb, the mutation number will not be shown in future.)
D.9. omguntell = to gather one’s selves together. i.e. to assemble.
D.19. omrolya = to roll oneself i.e. to enrol.
D.22. omweres = to help oneself i.e. to manage.
D.28. omsoena = to bless oneself i.e. to cross oneself.
Exercise 6. Use “gul” or “galloes” with the verb-noun to translate the following into Cornish.
1) I cannot help myself. 4) They wondered about the box.
2) We assemble at nine o’clock. 5) We have enrolled with K.D.L.
3) Tewdar crossed himself.
Skrif.
You are Tewdar’s mother. Tell what happened after leaving the house to fetch a
priest.
Dyskans naw warn ugens. Nawves dyskans
warn ugens
(“Dhe2” and “rag” with the verb-noun. Comparison of Adjectives. Combinations of “yn-
dann2” with pronouns. Negative expressions.)
Myrgh an Mer.
Tewdar a igoras y2 dhiwweus rag leverel, “Ny2 allav!” mes ny2 dheuth ger vydh yn-
mes a’y anow. Nyns esa disputya gans y2 das. Ev a2 gemmeras an 2 gyst ha mos yn-mes. Da
2
o mos yn-mes a’n chi yn ayr mygyl an gorthugher. Pandr’a2 ylli dhe2 wul? Res o kudha an 2
gyst neb le. Yth esa ow4 klywes hwath geryow y2 das-gwynn: “Gwith pub eur oll an 2 gyst
ha’n Penn!” Nyns esa fordh vydh dhe2 wodhvos gwiryonedh an 2 dra. Martesen nyns esa penn
vydh y’n 2 gyst; martesen nyns esa marnas penn ki po penn davas. Pan o flogh, y2 das-gwynn
re lavarsa dhodho nag assaya nevra igeri an 2 gyst. An Penn yn y2 gyst o pur feusik, mes
anfeusik o an Penn heb kyst po gans y2 gyst shyndys. Y5 fynna kavoes neb le rag y2 gudha.
Ena, ev a2 borthas kov a’n krowji gwag ryb fos an 2 ger. Yth esa kals kala gweli y’n krowji ha
Tewdar a2 ylli kudha an 2 gyst yn-danno.
Wosa gul hemma, ev a2 dhallathas kerdhes war-tu ha’n managhti rag kavoes y2
vamm. Yth esa benyn yowynk ow 4 tos trohag ev. Kolonn Tewdar a2 dhallathas lemmel yn
skav. Aswonnvos an 2 vowes a2 wre. Pan o flogh, ev a2 wre gwari gensi hag ev ow 4 kortos y2
das yn-mes a’n merji. Myrgh an mer o hi, ha lemmyn ny2 wre hy gweles nammenowgh rag
bos an merji y’n gwella rann a’n 2 dre, pell dhiworth chiow ha krowjiow byghan an 2
Gernowyon. Byttegyns, ev a’s gweli treweythyow dhe’n Oferenn y’n eglos managhti. Pub
torn hi a heveli dhodho tekka ha hwekka es dell heveli an torn kyns. Pup-prys hi a2 wre
minhwerthin dhodho, mes ny2 ylli kewsel gensi rag hy bos pup-prys gans hy3 thas ha’y
mamm. Lemmyn yth esa an 2 vowes hy honan ow kerdhes trohag ev ha nyns esa denvydh
gensi!
Gerva.
diwweus : lips. kala gweli : straw bedding
ny...ger vydh : no word at all. yn-danno : under it.
disputya : to argue. kolonn(f) : heart
nyns esa disputya gans: lemmel : to beat (heart)
there was no arguing with. aswonn : to know (person)
kemmeres : to take. merji : reeve’s house
ayr : air. ny...nammenowgh : not often.
mygyl : mild. gwella : best.
ki (p)keun : dog Oferenn (f) : Mass.
davas(f)deves(p) : sheep eglos managhti (f) : minster-church
kudha : to hide. torn (p) tornys : time.
fordh (f) (p) fordhow : way. heveli : to seem.
gwiryonedh : truth. tekka : more beautiful
assaya : to try. hwekka : sweeter.
nag assaya nevra : that he should never try pup-prys : always.
anfeusik : unlucky. ny....denvydh : not anyone.
2
ev a borthas kov : he remembered. minhwerthin : to smile.
(perthi kov : to remember)
Govynnadow.
1) Prag y5 fynna Tewdar leverel, “Ny 2 allav!”?

2) Pandr’a2 wrug Tewdar?
3) P’eur o an Penn anfeusik?
K.D.L. Dyskans naw warn ugens. folenn 2.
4) Ple5 hwrug ev kudha an 2 gyst?
5) Pandr’a2 wrug Tewdar wosa kudha an 2 gyst?
6) Piw esa ow4 tos trohag ev?
7) Prag na2 wre Tewdar gweles an 2 vowes nammenowgh?
8) Ple5 hwre ev hy gweles treweythyow?
9) Prag na2 ylli kewsel gensi?
10) Esa nebonan gans an 2 vowes lemmyn?
Gramasek.
“Rag” and “Dhe2” with the verb-noun.
Both “rag” and “dhe2” are used with a verb-noun to show purpose:
e.g. Tewdar a igoras y2 dhiwweus dhe2 gewsel. = Tewdar opened his lips to speak.
Ev a2 dhallathas kerdhes war-tu ha’n managhti rag kavoes y2 vamm. =
He began to walk towards the monastery in order to find his mother.
“Rag” seems to emphasise the purpose rather more than “dhe2” so that “dhe2” is probably
more commonly used.
Exercise 1. Translate the following into Cornish using either “dhe2” or “rag” with a verb-
noun.
1) He came to see his father.
2) She came to see us.
3) We opened the window to see the trees.
4) Tewdar went to the monastery to find a priest.
5) Bran went to Ireland to get a magic cauldron.
6) We opened the box to find the Head.
7) He waited to see the girl.
8) She stopped to speak to Tewdar.
9) He used to wait to play with the reeve’s daughter.
10) Tewdar hid the Head in order to keep it.
Comparison of Adjectives.
“Hi a heveli dhodho tekka ha hwekka es dell heveli an torn kyns.” -”She seemed
fairer and sweeter to him than she seemed the time before.”
“Tekka” and “hwekka” are the comparative forms of “teg” and “hweg.” The final consonant
is doubled (and hardened, or devoiced, if appropriate) and “a” is added. To form the
superlative put “an” in front. If there are two consonants, as in “yowynk” there is no
doubling, so we get “yowynka”.
e.g. teg = fair. tekka = fairer. an tekka = the fairest.
hweg = sweet. hwekka = sweeter. an hwekka = the sweetest.
bras = big. brassa = bigger. an brassa = the biggest.
pell = far. pella = farther. an pella = the farthest.
The final consonant of adjectives ending in “th” (e.g. “koth”) and “gh” (e.g. “kogh” )
also double in accordance with this rule. However the doubling is slightly abbreviated to “tth”
and “ggh” to avoid the cumbersome appearance of the complete doubling “(“thth” and
“ghgh”!).(This is an amendment to the statements in Ken George’s book “The Pronunciation
and Spelling of Revived Cornish” where it is recommended that the double form should be
spelled the same way as the single form.)
e.g. koth = old. kottha = older. an kottha = the oldest.
kogh = red. koggha = redder. an koggha = the reddest
K.D.L. Dyskans naw warn ugens. Folenn3
The pronunciation will be “koth-tha” and “kogh-gha,” and the vowel before the double
consonant will be short as indicated in the pronunciation notes.
The following adjectives in common use employ a different word to form the comparative
and superlative forms.
byghan = small. le = smaller. an lyha = the smallest.
meur = big, much. moy = bigger, more. an moyha = the biggest, most.
da = good. gwell = better. an gwella = the best.
drog = bad. gweth = worse. an gwettha = the worst.
ogas = near. nes = nearer. an nessa = the nearest.

1) Yowann is bigger than (es) Wella.
2) Peder is the biggest.
3) The girl is prettier than Tamsin.
4) Truro is nearer than Exeter.
5) The reeve is younger than Tewdar’s father.
6) Exeter is bigger than Truro.
7) London is farther than Exeter.
8) Bran is older than King Arthur.
9) Tewdar’s heart beat quicker (skaffa).
10) Exeter is smaller than London.
When a comparative or superlative adjective is used with a noun, it usually goes before it and
there is no mutation:
e.g. an tekka mowes = the prettiest girl.
pella tre = a further town.

1) London is the biggest city.
2) The oldest man is the grandfather.
3) The youngest man is Tewdar.
4) The best land is Cornwall.
5) England is a nearer country than France.
6) Mars (Meurth) is the reddest planet (planet).
7) This is the worst lesson.
8) That is the better way.
9) Bran was the oldest king.
10) Cornwall is not the smallest Celtic country.
Combination of “yn-dann2” with pronouns. Like other prepositions we have met, “yn-dann”
combines with pronouns as follows:
yn-dannov = under me. yn-dannon = under us.
yn-dannos = under you. yn-dannowgh = under you.
yn-danno = under him/it. yn-danna = under them.
yn-danni = under her/it.
K.D.L. Dyskans naw warn ugens. folenn 4.
The following exercise will help you to learn these and revise the combinations we have
already met.

1) under me. 6) to her. 11) without it. 16) without me.
2) under them. 7) to us. 12) without them. 17) to him.
3) with us. 8) on him. 13) for you (p). 18) to you.
4) in it. 9) in them. 14) under him. 19) with them.
5) for you (s). 10) for me. 15) on them. 20) on her.
Negatives. The story contains three examples of words normally used only with “ny2” in a
negative sense:
1) “Ny2 dheuth ger vydh yn-mes a’y2 anow “ = “Not a word came out of his mouth.”
“Vydh” can follow any noun in this way to mean “not at all,” but notice that “ny2” must come
before the verb also.
e.g. Ny2 allav kavoes arghans vydh. = I cannot find any money at all.
Nyns esa bugh vydh y’n pras. = There was not a single cow in the field.
2) “Nyns esa denvydh gensi.” = “There was no-one with her.”

This is really the same as (1) but in the case of “denvydh” (no one) and “travydh” (nothing)
the two words are written as one.
3) “Ny2 wre hy gweles nammenowgh = “He did not often see her.”
“Often” is “menowgh”, but “not often,” or “seldom,” is “nammenowgh” placed after the verb
with “ny2” in front of it.
e.g. Nyns en nammenowgh = We do not often go.
Ny2 gews ev Kernewek nammenowgh. = He seldom speaks Cornish.
Exercise 5, Translate into Cornish.

1) There was nothing in the box.
2) No one could find it.
3) There was no cauldron in Ireland.
4) Tewdar did not see any woman in the street.
5) Tewdar’s grandfather seldom went to church.
6) His mother could not find a priest at all.
7) There was no-one in the house.
8) The old man did not say a word.
9) He did not smile often.
10) The reeve did not have a son.
Degves dyskans warn ugens. KERNEWEK DRE LYTHER. Dyskans deg warn ugens.
Revision.
Translate the following into Cornish.
1) The old man spoke with a whisper.

2) Tewdar was working in the field.
3) Exeter was ruled by the English.
4) The Cornish had been in Exeter for many years.
5) Bran’s men had made a box for his head.
6) Tewdar was worried because the old man was dead.
7) Bran was a god of the Britons before Arthur was king.
8) The head was put in the box.
9) They were seen by the reeve.
10) It is possible to live in Exeter.
11) He went before I spoke.
12) Arthur was angry because Bran’s men had buried the head in London.
13) They saw him.
14) She loves you.
15) Bran had spoken to him.
16) Tewdar’s grandfather had died.
17) The king spoke to us.
18) They died together.
19) We shall be in Cornwall.
20) Tewdar had the head in the box.
21) Many people have enrolled with K.D.L.
22) We are going there to see the Bishop.
23) Cornish is easier (esya) than Welsh.
24) Which country (Py bro) is the best?
25) The box is under it.
26) Tewdar saw no one.
27) There is nothing to say.
28) We don’t often go to Cornwall.
29) There is no book at all about it, (yn y2 gever.)
30) They seldom write letters.
Skrif.
You are a Cornishman living in Exeter at the time of the story. You are brought before the
Reeve accused of stealing a sheep (davas (f))from one of the Saxon farmers. Say what really
happened!
Dyskans unnek warn ugens. Unnegves dyskans warn ugens
(“Awos” with “bos” and other verbs. Conditional. Imperfect Subjunctive of “gul” and “bos.”
Object before verb in simple statements. Verb-noun used as finite verb. “A2” used as Relative
Pronoun.)
An Kynsa Amm.
Ogas tewl o hi lemmyn. Y’n pols na, an 2 vowes a2 welas Tewdar. Marth bras a
omdhiskwedhas war hy enep, hag y5 feu lowena yn hy3 holonn awos hi dhe2 weles hy3 howeth
koth. Hy3 thas re2 wrussa hy henwel “Aethelflaed” war-lergh Arloedhes Mersia, Modrep an
Myghtern, ha kepar ha’n arloedhes ma, pur2 gonnyk o hi. Ny2 via pes da hy3 thas mar 4 kwrella
den hy gweles ow kewsel gans Kernow. Ytho, hi a2 dreylyas war-tu arall, ha mos bys yn
aswa yntra dew 2 ji. Hi a2 asas dhe2 goedha lien dorn war an dor ha hi ow treylya a-berth y’n
aswa. Nyns o gokki Tewdar hag ev a2 gonvedhas a-dhesempis an pratt a2 wrug Aethelflaed.
Kemmeres an lien dorn a2 wrug, ha sywya an 2 vowes y’n aswa. Wosa nebes kammow,
Aethelflaed a2 dreylyas arta, ha Tewdar a2 ylli gweles dres an tewlder. Nyns esa denvydh
arall a2 ylli aga gweles. Yth esa hi ow minhwerthin, hag y5 hworras hy diwla war y2
dhiwskoedh.
Ankevys o y das-gwynn, y2 vamm, ha’n Penn. Tewdar ynwedh a worras y2 dhiwla
war dhiwskoedh an2 vowes.
Yn-medh hi, “A2 Dewdar! Ass yw da dha2 weles. Ny2 allav nevra kewsel genes y’n
dydhyow ma. Res yw dhymm pup-prys gortos y’n chi ow4 kul ow strel. Ow 3 thas a2 vynn
orthiv omdhoen kepar hag arloedhes2 vryntin. Ny2 allav nevra gweles ow3 herens koth, a2 wre
gwari genev pan en vy mowes2 vyghan.” Ha hi ow kewsel, yth esa hy enep ow mos nes ha
nes dhe enep Tewdar. Nyns esa nerth y’n bys dhe lettya an movyans byw ma. Diwweus an
maw a2 dheuth erbynn diwweus an 2 vowes. Howl ha loer a hedhis hanter mynysenn dhe2
wortos aga3 hynsa amm.
Y’n pols na, kov a2 dhehwelis dhe’n 2 dhew y’n keth termyn. I a2 dhallathas kewsel
warbarth, ha hedhi yn unn hwerthin. Mes an hwarth eth dhe2 -ves, hag Aethelflaed a2 gewsis
kyns;
“A2 Dewdar, ny2 allav gortos moy. Pur 2 glav yw ow mamm. My res eth dhe’n
managhti rag kavoes pronter.”
Gerva.
ogas : nearly. yntra : between.
omdhiskwedhes : to appear. gasa dhe2 goedha : to drop.
lowena (f) : joy. lien dorn (p) lienyow d.) :handkerchief
awos : because. sywya : to follow.
henwel : to name, call. kamm (p) kammow : step.
war-lergh : after. tewlder : darkness.
arloedhes(f) (p) arloedhesow diwskoedh (f) : shoulders.
: lady. strel (p) strelyow : tapestry.
kepar ha (followed by noun) nerth (p) nerthow : strength.
: like. bys . world.
konnyk : clever. lettya : to prevent.
ny2 via : would not be. diwweus (f) : lips.
mar 4 kwrella den hy gweles : loer (f) : moon.
: if anyone saw her. amm (p) ammow : kiss.
pes da : pleased byw : alive
war-tu arall : the other way. bryntin : noble.
aswa (f) (p) aswaow : gap. omdhoen : to behave (oneself)
pratt (p) prattys : trick. keth . same.
ytho : so hwarth : laugh (noun)
K.D.L. Dyskans unnek warn ugens. folenn 2.
Govynnadow.
1) Fatell omglywas an 2 vowes pan 2 welas hi Tewdar?

2) Pyth o hanow an 2 vowes.
3) Prag yth o hy hanow “Aethelflaed”?
4) Prag y treylyas hi a-berth y’n aswa?
5) Pyth o an pratt a2 wrug Aethelflaed?
6) Pandr’a2 wrug Aethelflaed wosa hi dhe2 dreylya?
7) Prag na2 ylli Aethelflaed kewsel yn 5 fenowgh gans Tewdar?
8) P’eur5 tehwelis kov dhe’n 2 dhew?
9) Prag yth eth an hwarth dhe2 -ves?
10) Ple5 hwrussa Aethelflaed mos, ha prag?
Gramasek.
Awos. In dyskans 26 and 27 we saw how conjunctions such as ‘‘kyns,” “rag,” and “drefenn”
are used with the “subject - dhe2 - verb-noun construction,” and with the verb “bos”. “Awos”
is similarly used.
e.g. Y5 feu lowena yn hy3 holonn awos hi dhe2 weles hy3 howeth koth. =
There was joy in her heart because she saw her old friend.
“Rag”, “drefenn”, and “awos” all translate as “because”. Practise using all three
conjunctions in the following exercise.
1) Aethelflaed went to the monastery because she wanted to find a priest.

2) She dropped her handkerchief before she went into the opening.
3) Tewdar was going to the monastery because his father had died.
4) Aethelflaed kissed Tewdar because he was her old friend. (to kiss : amma dhe2)
The Conditional. Dyskans 26 and 28 gave the Pluperfect tense of “bos”, “gul”, “merwel”, and
“leverel”. These same forms are used for the Conditional Tense which is used in the main
clause of a conditional sentence.
e.g. Ny2 via hy3 thas pes da mar 4 kwrella den hy gweles ow kewsel gans Kernow. =
Her father would not be pleased if anyone saw her talking to a Cornishman.
A conditional sentence has two clauses and therefore two verbs. In English the main
verb is made up of “would” or “should” and the verb-noun (infinitive). The other verb is in
the clause which begins with “if.” This verb is in the past tense.
In Cornish, the main verb, as mentioned above, is in the conditional tense, and the
verb in the “if” clause is in the Imperfect Subjunctive. However, before we learn this new
tense a lot can be done by just using the words “mar 4 kwrella.” (The “w” is almost silent and
does not constitute a syllable.) “Gwrella” is 3rd. sing. imperf. subj. of “gul.” The following
examples use the conditional of the four verbs “bos,” “gul,” “merwel,” and “leverel” for the
main verb, and “mar 4 kwrella” with the verb-noun in the “if” clause. If the main clause is a
nominal sentence the particle “a 2” must be used, not “re2” the use of which is optional before
a verb in the pluperfect tense.
e.g. Ev a2 wrussa mos dhe2 Gernow mar 4 kwrella y2 gar mos kekeffrys. =
He would have gone to Cornwall if his friend had gone too.
Y5 hwrussen ni neuvya mar 4 kwrella an howl splanna. =
We would swim if the sun were to shine.
Tewdar a2 wrussa mos dhe’n managhti mar ny2 wrella metya orth Aethelflaed. =
Tewdar would have gone to the monastery if he had not met Aethelflaed.
Aethelflaed mar ny2 wrella kavoes pronter, hy mamm a2 vawrsa. =
If Aethelflaed had not found a priest, her mother would have died.
Mar ny2 wrella hy mamm merwel, Aethelflaed a2 via lowen. =
If her mother had not died, Aethelflaed would be happy.
Mar4 kwrella mos dhe2 Gernow, y’n lavarsa yn Kernewek. =
If he went to Cornwall he would say it in Cornish.
Notice that most of these Cornish sentences are open to two possible English
translations. For example, the first could be:
He would have gone to Cornwall if his friend had gone too.
OR. He would go to Cornwall if his friend went too.
The interpretation depends on the context.
Exercise 2. Using the examples as models, translate the following sentences into Cornish. If
the “if” clause has a noun subject it may be placed before or after the two words “mar 4
kwrella,” but not between them.
1) If he learned Cornish he would be a true Cornishman.

2) He would buy a fishing boat if he lived in Cornwall.
3) He would say a lot if he spoke Cornish.
4) Tewdar’s grandfather would have died if Bran had not helped him.
5) If she went to Exeter she would be happy.
6) If his father shouted, Tewdar would not say anything. (garma = to shout)
7) Bran would not have died if he had not gone to Ireland.
8) We would be happy if Tewdar’s grandfather had not died.
9) Arthur would not have been king if Bran had lived.
10) If he saw Bran he would not die.
Imperfect Subjunctive of “gul” and “bos”

gul. bos.
gwrellen gwrellen ben ben
gwrelles gwrellewgh bes bewgh
gwrella gwrellens be bens.
By using these forms in the “if” clause we can extend the range of conditional
sentences we can make.
e.g. Mar4 pen Tewdar, ny2 wrussen kewsel gans Aethelflaed. =
If I were Tewdar, I would not speak with Aethelflaed.
Y5 hwrussen mos dhe2 Garesk mar 4 kwrellen aswonnvos Aethelflaed. =
I would go to Exeter if I knew Aethelflaed.
K.D.L. Dyskans unnek warn ugens. folenn4.
1) If we went to Exeter, we would see the Cathedral. (penneglos, (f))

2) If we were tired we would not work in the field.
3) You would not say that if you were Cornish.
4) She would die if she did not go to the monastery.
5) If I saw Aethelflaed dropping her handkerchief, I would not speak to her.
6) If the Britons had not buried Bran’s Head, King Arthur would not have found it.
7) I would not say that if it were not true.
8) The king would die if the Cornish did not help him.
9) If Asser had not been a good bishop, perhaps the Cornish would not have stayed in
Exeter.
10) There would not be a monastery in Exeter if the Celts had not built it.
Object before Verb in Simple Statements. In dyskans 15 we summarised the various ways of
expressing a simple statement with and without the use of “gul”. In every case the object
came at the end, after the subject and the verb. However, if we want to emphasise a noun
object it may be placed first and followed by the particle “a 2” and then the verb, thus making
a nominal sentence but emphasising the noun object rather than the noun subject. or the verb
itself, as in the second example.
e.g. An den koth a2 welsons i = They saw the old man.
(It was the old man whom they saw.)
Gweles an den koth a2 wrussons i
They saw the old man.
(What they did was to see the old man.)
As the example shows it is not easy to convey these emphasised objects and verbs in English,
and in most cases it is better not to attempt to do so, except by the context.
Exercise 4. Translate the following into Cornish using “gul’ with the verb-noun, and putting
the verb-noun first, followed by the object, where applicable.
1) I shall go to Exeter. 6) They go to Cornwall.
2) We shall see the bishop. 7) He saw Aethelflaed.
3) You will write the letter. 8) They buried Bran’s head.
4) He learns Cornish. 9) You used to work in the field.
5) She will die. 10) Aethelflaed went to the monastery
The Verb-Noun used as a finite verb. When two or more verbs are used closely linked
together with the same subject in the same sentence, the verb-noun is often used for the
second and following verbs instead of a normal verb.
e.g. Hi a2 dreylyas war-tu arall ha mos bys yn aswa.

She turned the other way and went into an opening.
An2 dhew a2 dhallathas kewsel, ha hedhi yn unn hwerthin.

They both began to speak, and stopped with a laugh.
Exercise 5. Translate the following into Cornish, using a verb-noun for the second verb in
each case.
1) Tewdar picked up the box and went out.

2) Tewdar’s grandfather fell ill and died.
3) Aethelflaed saw Tewdar and turned.
4) They met and kissed.
5) You went in the house and spoke to him.
6) Tewdar went into the hovel and hid the head.
7) I saw you and spoke to you.
8) She opened the door and went in.
9) Bran went to Ireland and found the magic cauldron.
10) His warriors (breseloryon) cut (off) his head and took it to London.
“A2” used as a Relative Pronoun. In addition to its other uses the particle “a 2” is used as the
relative pronoun “who, “ “whom,” and “which.”
e.g. Ev a2 gonvedhas a-dhesempis an pratt a2 wrug Aethelflaed. =
He understood at once the trick which Aethelflaed played.
Nyns esa denvydh arall a2 ylli aga gweles. =
There was no-one else who could see them.
Ny2 allav nevra gweles ow 3 herens a2 wre gwari genev. =
I can never see my friends who used to play with me.
Note that the “a 2” is always followed by the verb in the relative clause.
1) I saw the girl who dropped the handkerchief.

2) Asser was a bishop who helped the Celts.
3) Arthur was the king who found Bran’s head.
4) Tewdar picked up the handkerchief which Aethelflaed dropped.
5) The Head was in the box which the grandfather put in his chest.
6) She went into the gap which she saw between the houses.
7) The man (whom) I saw was Tewdar.
8) The letter which I am reading is in Cornish.
9) The book I want (hwilav) is in the house.
10) The box which Tewdar hid was very old.
Skrif.
When Aethelflaed goes to the monastery to ask for a priest to visit her sick mother
she is interviewed by a Cornish monk who is not very fond of the English. Write the
conversation which takes place.
Dyskans dewdhek warn ugens. Dewdhegves dyskans warn
ugens.
(Summary of the verb “gul.” Indirect statement with “Subject - dhe2 - verb-noun” and “y 5. “)
An Ambos.
“Re’m tas, Aethel,” Tewdar a2 worthybis. “Ass ov vy gokki ha drog! Yth esov vy
ynwedh war an fordh dhe’n managhti. Ow3 thas-gwynn re2 wrug merwel. Ow mamm eth
dhe’n managhti rag kavoes pronter kyns ev dhe2 verwel, ha lemmyn res yw dhymm hy3
havoes ha derivas an mernans orth an managhti.”
Ena Tewdar a2 glywas lev kuv ha hweg ow4 tasleverel an seren koth, Requiescat in
pace! hag y’n tewlder ev a2 welas hy dorn gwynn ow tochya hy3 thal, hy skoedh2 gledh, hy
skoedh2 dheghow, ha’y bronn. Wor’tiwedh hi a leveris,
“Tewdar, pur2 dhrog yw genev, mes dhe2 wir, y koedh dhymm mos lemmyn.” An
maw a synsis hy dorn ha leverel,
“Aethel, my a2 vynn dha2 weles arta.” Hi a2 worthybis,
“Ny2 wonn mar 4 kyllir, mes deus omma an keth eur ma wosa unn seythun. Mar 4
kallav dos, dos a2 vynnav. Lemmyn ke dhe2 -ves kyns, ha my a2 vynn sywya wosa berr
dermyn. Y’n fordh ma denvydh ny2 wra agan gweles warbarth.”
An seythun na, pur yn kemmyskys o Tewdar. Treweythyow trist ova rag mernans y2
das-gwynn. Ev a wrussa kara an den koth yn 5 town, mes troblys ova kekeffrys yn kever an
Penn, ha geryow euthek y2 das-gwynn. Pub dydh, moy ha moy sur ova y5 fedha droglamm
euthek mar ny2 veu an Penn daskerrys y’n chi. Treweythyow lowen ova hag ev ow prederi a
Aethelflaed, mes nyns o sur y2 gares dhe2 dhos er y2 bynn y’n nos appoyntys.
Y5 das-gwynn a2 veu ynkleudhys. Pan 2 dheuth Dy’ Sul, Tewdar eth dhe’n Oferenn,
mevys y spyrys gans gwaytyans a2 weles Aethelflaed. Dhe2 wir, hi a’n gwelas y’n pellder
wosa an gonis ha minhwerthin. Pan o sur nag esa hy-3thas ow mires, hi a vovyas hy3 fenn
yn lowen rag afydhya an ambos, ha Tewdar a2 gonvedhas hi dhe2 alloes y2 weles.
Gerva.
ambos (p) ambosow : promise. Ny2 wonn : I do not know.
re’m tas! : by my father! (godhvos : to know)
kuv . kind. mar 4 kyllir : whether it is possible
dasleverel : to repeat. yn kemmyskys : mixed up.
seren : prayer for the dead. down : deep.
Requiescat in pace (Latin) : ova : he was.
May he rest in peace. droglamm : disaster.
dorn (p) dornow : hand. daskerrys : replaced.
tochya : to touch. dos er y2 bynn : to meet him.
tal (p) talyow : forehead. gwaytyans : expectation.
skoedh (f) (p) skoedhyow: pellder : distance.
shoulder. gonis : (church) service.
bronn (f) (p) bronnow: afydhya : to confirm.
breast. y5 fedha : there would be.
y koedh dhymm : I must. mevys(past partiple): excited, moved
K.D.L. Dyskans dewdhek warn ugens. folenn 2.
Govynnadow.
1) Prag y5 feu Tewdar gokki ha drog?
2) Dhe2 biw o an lev kuv ha hweg?
3) Fatell2 wrug Aethelflaed Arwoedh an 2 Grows?
4) Pandr’a2 wrug an 2 dhew ma na2 wrella denvydh aga gweles warbarth?
(What did the two do so that no one would see them together?)
5) Prag yth o Tewdar trist?
6) Prag yth o Tewdar lowen?
7) Pandr’a2 wrug Tewdar Dy’ Sul?
8) A2 welas ev Aethelflaed?
9) Fatell2 wrug Aethelflaed afydhya an ambos?
10) Pleth esa an Oferenn?
Gramasek.
Verbs. We have now practised all the tenses of the Cornish verb except the Present
Subjunctive, which we shall meet in. lesson 41. However, we have not yet had a complete
picture of all the. tenses for any one verb, so here is “gul” = “to make etc.”(including the
present subjunctive for the sake of completeness.)
“Gul” = to do/make.
Present/Future. Present/Future Subjunctive.
gwrav = I do/shall do etc. gwrylliv. (The meanings are
gwredh = You do/will do. gwrylli. often the same as
gwra = He/She does/will do. gwrello. the normal pres./fut.
gwren = We do/shall do. gwryllyn. tense, but may
gwrewgh = You do/will do. gwryllowgh. vary depending on the
gwrons = They do/will do. gwrellons. construction used.)
Imperfect. Imperfect Subjunctive.
gwren = I used to do etc. gwrellen. (See lesson 31
gwres = You used to do. gwrelles. and future lessons
gwre = He/She used to do. gwrella. for use and meanings
gwren = We used to do. gwrellen. of the Subjunctive.)
gwrewgh = You used to do. gwrellewgh.
gwrens = They used to do. gwrellens.
Past (often called “preterite”) Pluperfect/Conditional.
gwrug = I did. gwrussen = I had done/would do.
gwrussys = You did. gwrusses = You had done/would do.
gwrug = He/She did. gwrussa = He had done/would do.
gwrussyn = We did. gwrussen = We had done/would do.
gwrussowgh = You did. gwrussewgh = You had done/would do.
gwrussons = They did. gwrussens = They had done/would do.
Imperative. Past Participle.
gwra! = do! gwrys. (e.g. Gwrys yw.
gwres! = let him/her do: = It is done.)
gwren! = let us do!
gwrewgh! = do!
gwrens! = let them do:
K.D.L. Dyskans dewdhek warn ugens.
folenn 3.
You should do your best to learn these by heart. If you have difficulty, try recording them
and then play them back to yourself repeatedly. Leave a space on the recording after each
tense to give yourself time to repeat the tense again from memory. Remember the W is silent
- or almost. “Gwrav” sounds as “G-raf” with a token rounding of the lips after the G. (The
final F sound is because the V is not followed by a vowel when it is pronounced in isolation.
Exercise 1. Translate the following into Cornish in the Verbal form, i.e. preceded by Y5, Ny2,
or Mar 4 as appropriate. The example beginning with “If” will need Mar 4 with the imp.
subjunctive as explained in lesson 31.
1) I shall do. 6) If they did.
2) He used to do. 7) I did not.
3) They will make. 8) They used to do.
4) You did. 9) He did.
5) She did not. 10) Tewdar did not.
Exercise 2. Translate the following into Cornish using the appropriate form of “gul” and the
verb-noun.
e.g. He went = Y5 hwrug mos.
1) We used to go.
2) He will speak.
3) I bought.
4) They would send.
5) If she heard.
In the following five sentences, put the verb noun first and use “a 2”
e.g. You looked = Mires a2 wrussys.
6) You saw.
7) She used to eat.
8) We came.
9) I laughed.
10) He touched.
Indirect Statement with “Subject - dhe2 - verb-noun” construction.

An indirect statement occurs when someone says, hopes, thinks, believes, understands etc.
etc. that something has happened, is happening or will happen. Notice that in English the
key word is “that” although this word may be omitted as is the case in some of the exercises
below. However, there is no word for “that” in this Cornish construction.
e.g. Ev a lever ev dhe2 dhos = He says he/will come.
/is coming.
/came.
As the example shows, the tense of the subordinate verb is ambiguous and can only be
ascertained from the context. So, in the story we have:-
e.g. Tewdar a2 gonvedhas hi dhe2 alloes y2 weles. =
Tewdar understood that she would be able to see him.
This translation makes the most sense in the context of the story.
K.D.L. Dyskans dewdhek warn ugens. folenn 4.
Exercise 3. Translate the following into Cornish, using this construction. (N.B. “yn-medh”
(dysk. 13) cannot be used to introduce an indirect statement.)
1) I say that we are going to Cornwall.
2) I understand that Tewdar was going to the monastery.
3) We thought Tewdar’s grandfather would die.
4) He said that he would see Aethelflaed.
5) They know that Arthur will come again.
6) You think that you will see Tewdar’s father.
7) Aethelflaed said that she would meet Tewdar.
8) Tewdar told Aethelflaed that his grandfather was buried.
9) They thought that Bran would go to Ireland.
10) She saw that Tewdar was troubled.
Indirect statement with “Y 5” clause. A second way of expressing an indirect statement is

with a subordinate clause starting with “y 5.”
e.g. Moy ha moy sur ywa y5 fydh droglamm euthek.. =
He is more and more sure there will be a dreadful disaster.
This construction is used if there would be danger of ambiguity in the tense if the other
method were used.
Exercise 4. Using this method, translate the following into Cornish.

1) She said she was staying in Exeter.
2) I said I shall go to Cornwall.
3) We thought the men spoke English.
4) His mother knew that Tewdar loved Aethelflaed.
5) Aethelflaed thought her mother was dying.
Negative Indirect Statement. If the subordinate clause is negative, the only possibility is to
use the second of the two methods described above, but replacing “y5” with “na2.”
e.g. Ev a leveris na2 dheuth. = He said he did not come.

Ni a2 brederis nag esen yn Kernow. = We thought we were not in Cornwall.
Hi a2 wodhva nag o Tewdar gokki = She knew Tewdar was not stupid.

1) We said we were not going.
2) She thought he was not coming.
3) They know that Bran will not find the cauldron.
4) He knew his father did not put the Head back in the house.
5) I know that Tewdar will not go back to the monastery.
6) They said he was not dying.
7) He was sure Tewdar did not lose the Head.
8) Asser knew the Cornish did not want to leave Exeter.
9) We think the English do not like the Cornish.
10) I saw that Aethelflaed could not speak to Tewdar in the minster church.
Dyskans trydhek warn ugens. Trydhegves dyskans warn
ugens
(Summary of “bos.” Affirmative Indirect Statements with “bos,” noun and pronoun subjects.
Conjunctions “pan 2,” “erna2,” “may 5,” and “mar 4,” affirmative and negative.)
Tristys Aethelflaed.
Yth esa skila arbennik rag hemma. Mamm Aethelflaed o pur2 glav, ha’y3 thas o pur2
vysi. An seythun na, nyns esa denvydh dhe2 witha an 2 vowes. Res o dh’y3 thas spena meur a2
dermyn gans an Abas ha soedhogyon an Managhti. Yth esa an Myghtern Athelstan ow4 tos
dhe2 Garesk, Dy’ Sul nessa dhe ri Krer Sans dhe’n Eglos Managhti. Den a2 wre leverel bos an
krer ma Askorn Sen Chad, Abostol Mersia, hag a2 via res dhe’n Myghtern gans Aethelflaed,
Arloedhes Mersia, modrep an Myghtern. Re a’n 2 Gernowyon o pes da rag bos Chad epskop
a’n Eglos Keltek hag a’n Eglos Sowsnek ynwedh. An krer o arwoedh kres ha kerensa ynter
an Sowson ha’n 2 Gernowyon yn Karesk. Byttegyns yth esa bagas arall a2 brederi bos Askorn
Chad arwoedh gwasonieth an 2 Gernowyon gans an Sowson. Nag an eyl nag y2 gila ny2
wodhya bos krer meur kottha ha moy dhe les dhe’n 2 Geltyon yn-dann2 gals a2 gala gweli yn
krowji ryb fos an 2 ger, drefenn aga hembrenkyas dh’y2 dewlel yn-mes a’y2 ji!
Wor’tiwedh, y5 teuth gorthugher an ambos. Res o gortos erna2 goedhas an nos, ma

na wella denvydh an 2 dhew warbarth. Tewdar a2 dhrehedhas an aswa ynter an chiow pan esa
2
an howl ow sedhi. Nyns esa nagonan ena hag yth erviras pesya y fordh war-tu ha’n managhti,
hag o fordh ynwedh war-tu ha’n merji. Skon, ev a’s gwelas ow kerdhes trohag ev, ha treylya
a2 wrug heb gortos, dhe2 dhehweles dhe’n aswa. Kyns pell, Aethelflaed a2 dheuth a-berth y’n
aswa ynwedh. Hi a2 boenyas ogas dhe2 Dewdar. Byttegyns, nyns esa hi ow minhwerthin
kepar dell esa kyns. Aethelflaed a2 viras orth Tewdar ha nyns o re2 dewl dhe2 weles dagrow
yn dewlagas an 2 vowes.
“A2 Dewdar,” yn-medh hi, “Marow yw ow mamm! Trist vydh ow bywnans hebdhi.
Pur dynn yw ow 3 thas ha ny2 vydh kar dhymmo marnas ty. Pan 2 dheffo an myghtern an
2
seythun a2 dheu, ow ri dhe onan a’y2 dus a2 vynn ev. Mar nyns eus onan a2 vynno ow
demmedhi, res vydh dhymm mos ha bos managhes!”
Gerva.
tristys : sadness. nag an eyl nag y gila
skila (p) skilys : reason. : neither the one nor
the other.
arbennik : special. a2 wodhya : knew.
abas (p) abasow : abbot. (godhvos : to know)
soedhek (p) soedhogyon : official. kyns pell : before long.
nessa : next. poenya : to run.
krer (p) kreryow : relic. nyns o re2 dewl dhe2 weles
sans : holy. : it was not too dark to
see.
den : one, people. dager (p) dagrow : tear.
abostol (p) abesteli : apostle. tynn : strict.
res given. managhes (f) (p) managhesow : nun.
(ri : to give) re (pronoun) : some.
kerensa (f) : love. pan 2dheffo an myghtern: when the king
gwasonieth (f) : servitude. comes
(four syllables; gwas-on-i-eth.) a2 vynno : who may want
mos ha bos : to become
K.D.L. Dyskans trydhek warn ugens. folenn 2.
Notennow.
hag a2 veu res = which was given. “Hag” is sometimes used to strengthen the relative pronoun
particle “a2”
ma na2 wella denvydh = so that no one should see. “Gwella” is 3rd. sing. imperfect
subjunctive of “gweles = to see.” The subjunctive follows “may5” to indicate purpose. When
negative, as in this case “may5” is shortened to “ma” and followed by “na2.”
trohag ev. = towards him. This preposition is normally “troha” but g is added (as with “ha”)
when followed by a vowel.
Govynnadow.
1) Prag nag esa denvydh dhe2 witha Aethelflaed?
2) Piw esa ow 4 tos dhe2 Garesk?
3) O Athelstan Myghtern Kernow?
4) Pyth o an krer sans dres (brought) gans an myghtern?
5) Pyth o an krer y’n krowji gwag?
6) Piw a2 dhrehedhas an aswa kynsa rag an ambos?
7) Pandr’a2 wrug Tewdar?
8) O Aethelflaed lowen pan 2 dhrehedhas an aswa?.
9) Prag yth o hi trist?
10) Piw a2 wra demmedhi Aethelflaed?
Gramasek.
The verb “bos = ‘to be.” This is a little more complex than most verbs as it has long and
short forms (dysk. 12, 13, and 26) and a special future tense (dysk. 28). Here are all the
tenses including the present subjunctive, the uses of which will be explained later. Also listed
is the “habitual” imperfect tense which will be explained later.
Present Tense.
Short form. Long form. Subjunctive.
ov = I am. esov = I am. biv. (Meanings
os = You are. esos = You are. bi. depend on
yw = He/She/It is. yma, usi, eus = He/etc. is. bo. construction
on = We are. eson = We are. byn. used. Often
owgh = You are. esowgh = You are. bowgh. as normal
yns = They are. ymons, esons = They are. bons. present
tense)
Imperfect Tense.
Short form. Long form. Subjunctive.
en = I was. esen = I was. ben. (Meanings
es = You were. eses = You were. bes. as above.)
o = He/She/It was. esa = He/She/It was. be.
en = We were. esen = We were. ben.
ewgh = You were. esewgh = You were. bewgh.
ens = They were. esens = They were. bens.
Habitual Imperfect. Future Tense.

bedhen = I used to be/would be bydhav = I shall be.
bedhes = You used to be/would be. bydhydh = You will be.
bedha = He used to be/would be. bydh = He will be.
bedhen = We used to be/would be bydhyn = We shall be.
bedhewgh = You used to be/would be bydhowgh = You will be.
bedhens = They used to be/would be. bydhons = They will be.
Preterite Tense. Pluperfect/Conditional. Imperative.
beuv = I was. bien = I had been/would be.
beus = You were. bies = You had been etc. bydh! = be!
beu = He was. bia = He had been etc. bedhes ! = let him be
beun = We were. bien = We had been etc. bedhen! = let us be!
bewgh = You were. biewgh = You had been etc. bedhewgh! = be!
bons = They were. biens = They had been etc. bedhens! = let them be!
When you do the next exercise, bear in mind the following points:-
1) The present subjunctive and habitual imperfect tenses are given above for future reference,
and for the sake of completeness. They should not be used in this exercise.
2) If you start with the verb in a verbal sentence, “b” tenses take the particle “Y 5” which
mutates the b to f. Tenses starting with a vowel are preceded by “Yth,” but “Yma, “ and
.”Ymons” do not need a particle.
3) It is often possible to start with the complement which is then stressed.
e.g. Yth ov vy lowen = I am happy. OR
Lowen ov vy = I am happy.
4) The imperfect tense shows how things were over a period.
e.g. Yth esa an 2 Gernowyon ow4 triga yn Karesk. = The Cornish were living in Exeter.
5) The Preterite Tense shows an event.
e.g. Bran a2 veu ledhys = Bran was slain.
Y5 feun ni diwedhes Dy’ Sadorn = We were late on Saturday.
Exercise 1. Translate the following into Cornish using the appropriate forms of “bos” with the
correct particles and mutations in verbal sentences as in the examples above.
1) We are Cornish. 11) We shall be working.
2) They are in Cornwall. 12) Bran was buried in London.
3) He will be in Exeter tomorrow. 13) If he were English...
4) They are reading the story. 14) She was very sad.
5) She was not in the church. 15) They are not here.
6) They were happy. 16) You were in the cottage.
7) The grandfather is dead. 17) I had been his friend.
8) You are Cornish. 18) They were together.
9) I was sad. 19) Aethelflaed is not a nun.
10) Be happy! 20) She will be happy.
Indirect Statements with “bos.” In dysk. 32 we studied two ways of constructing an indirect
statement. These two methods can also be used with “bos” except that “Y 5” clauses can only
be used with the “b” tenses. The following methods have to be used if the verb “bos” in the
original statement is in the present or imperfect tenses -
1) With a Pronoun Subject. The pronoun subject becomes a possessive adjective which is
followed by the verb noun “bos” with appropriate mutation.
e.g.
Original statement: Indirect statement:
Ev o klav = He was ill. Ev a leveris y vos klav. = He said he was ill.
(Literally, “He said his being ill.”)
Yma hi yn Loundres = I a2 woer hy bos yn Loundres = They know she is in
London.
She is in London. (They know her being in London.)
Ni yw lowen. = We are happy. I a2 wel agan bos lowen = They see we are happy.
Yth eses yn Karesk = Ty a leveris dha2 vos yn Karesk =
You were in Exeter. You said you were in Exeter.
For possessive adjectives, see dysk. 14.
The tense of the indirect statement is normally the same as that of the main verb.
Exercise 2. Using this construction, translate the following into Cornish.
1) He says that he is in Exeter.

2) We saw that she was ill.
3) She was sure that she was in the monastery.
4) They said you were here.
5) I thought they were dead.
6) You said you were happy.
7) Tewdar said he was in the opening.
8) Bran said he was king.
9) I thought you were ready. (ready = parys)
10) You said you were here.
2) With a Noun Subject. In this case the noun subject follows the verb noun “bos.” The
following examples are in the story.
e.g. Den a2 wre leverel bos an krer ma Askorn Sen Chad. =
People used to say that this relic was a Bone of St Chad.
Nag an eyl nag y2 gila ny2 wodhya bos krer .... yn-dann2 gala gweli yn krowji gwag =
Neither the one nor the other knew there was a relic ....under the bed straw in an
empty cottage.
Simpler examples are:
e.g. Ev a2 woer bos an tas-gwynn marow = He knows that the grandfather is dead.
Ni a leveris bos mamm Aethelflaed klav = We said that Aethelflaed’s mother was ill.
1) Tewdar knew his father was busy.
2) He said the head was in the box.
3) We know Tewdar is Cornish.
4) He says the men are British.
5) You saw that the box was by the grandfather’s bed.
6) We think Asser is a good bishop.
7) Aethelflaed knew that Tewdar was worried.
8) I saw that Aethelflaed’s mother was ill.
9) She said that Tewdar was her friend.
10) It is said (Y leverir) that Arthur was King of the Britons.
Conjunctions “pan 2” = when, “erna2” = until, “may5” = so (that), and “mar 4” = if. These
conjunctions must be followed immediately by the verb. If there is an expressed subject, noun
or pronoun, it must follow the verb.
e.g. Hi a2 vinhwerthas pan 2 welas Tewdar. = She smiled when she saw Tewdar.
An2 dhew a2 wrug gortos erna2 goedhas an nos. = The two waited until night fell.
My a2 wra y2 wul mar 4 kallav = I will do it if I can.
Mar2 doemm o an 2 gewer mayth o Tewdar pur skwith =
The weather was so hot that Tewdar was very tired.
(“May5” becomes “mayth” when followed by a vowel, and “ma” when followed by “m” or
“n”.)
There are examples of all these four conjunctions in the story.
Exercise 4. Translate the following into Cornish. (In numbers 4, 8, and 9, “may5” is followed
by a clause showing the result of the main action, and the verb is normal indicative. This is in
contrast to the example in the second note on the story where the subjunctive is used to show
the purpose of the main action.)
1) He went when he saw his grandfather.

2) They waited until they reached the gap between the houses.
3) Tewdar will be sad if he loses the Head.
4) His father called, so Tewdar stopped.
5) I go to Cornwall when I can.
6) We shall not go if you come.
7) She will see Tewdar if she can.
8) They were so tired that they stopped.
9) The relic was so old so that the king brought it to Exeter.
10) They talked until night fell.
If the verb following the conjunction is negative:

pan 2 becomes pan na2
5
may becomes ma na2
4
mar becomes mar ny2
“erna” cannot be followed by a negative.
e.g. My a2 wra oberi gwell pan na2 dheu an rewler =
I work better when the boss does not come.
1) Aethelflaed was troubled when Tewdar did not come.

2) His grandfather died, so that Tewdar was not happy.
3) Cornish will die if we do not study the language.
4) When I am not in Cornwall I cannot speak Cornish.
5) If you do not read the letter you cannot answer it.
Skrif.
Write a conversation between the Reeve and the Abbot in which they discuss the king’s visit.
Dyskans peswardhek warn ugens. Peswardhegves dyskans warn ugens.
(Summary of “mos.” Indirect Statement with “bos,” “subject - dhe2 verb-noun” construction
and “Y5” clauses with “b” tenses. Negative Indirect Statement with “bos.”)
Molleth an Penn.
Ha’n2 vowes ow kewsel yn hy maner freth yn despit dh’y3 thristys, nyns esa saw unn
tybyans yn brys Tewdar. An tybyans eth ha bos imaj y2 das-gwynn esedhys war se gans seyth
den a-dro dhodho, mes nyns o y2 das-gwynn; Bran Vendigeit, Myghtern ha Dyw an 2
Vrythonyon ova gans y seyth breselyer!
“Gwith pub eur oll an 2 Gyst ha’n Penn!”
An wers a settyas war 2 dhiwskovarn y enev kepar ha’n klegh re wrussa settya war
2
dhiwskovarn y2 gorf pan 2 veu ynkleudhys y2 das-gwynn nans o nebes dydhyow. Ottomma an
droglamm!
“Tewdar, pandr’a hwer dhis?” Lev ownek an 2 vowes a’n gelwis a-dhesempis
dhiworth y ifarn keltek. Yth esa unn dorn war y skoedh, ha’y2 gila ow synsi y2 dhorn ev. Y5
tehwelis dhe2 vywnans an kig.
“Pandr’a hwer, Tewdar? Osta klav?”
Tewdar a2 worras y2 dhiwla war hy diwvregh. Yn-medh ev,
“Aethel, my a2 woer prag y5 ferwis dha2 vamm. Yma molleth euthek warnan.” Ena
ev a dherivis an hwedhel dien a’n Penn, an geryow ankoth a leveris y2 das-gwynn kyns ev
2
dhe2 verwel, fatell2 wrussa kudha an Penn, ha fatell2 wrussa gweles Bran y honan y’n keth
pols may5 hwrussa Aethelflaed leverel dhodho a’ n mernans a’y mamm.
Na2 ve an tewlder, Tewdar a2 wrussa gweles bos enep Aethelflaed euthek gwynn.
Byttegyns, hi a2 wodhva pyth dhe2 wul. Hi a synsis dorn deghow Tewdar ha’y2 worra war y2
dal, war y skoedh2 gledh, war y skoedh 2 dheghow, ha war y2 vronn.
“A2 Dewdar,” yn-medh hi, “Ober an jowl yw hemma. Arwoedh Krows agan Arloedh
Yesu Krist a2 wra diswul pub ober oll an jowl, ha ri dhiso y2 Gres.” Ena hi a2 worras hy
diwvregh a-dro dh’y2 gonna ha’y diwweus war y2 dhiwweus ev. Y5 feu aga nessa amm.
Gerva.
molleth (f) (p) mollothow = curse. ownek = frightened.
maner (f) (p) manerow = manner. gelwis = called.
freth = eager. kig = flesh.
imaj (p) imajys = image. diwvregh (f) = arms.
esedhys = seated. derivis = told.
se (p) seow = throne. na2 ve = but for.
Bran Vendigeit = Bran the Blessed. godhva = knew.
breselyer (p) breselyoryon = warrior. (godhvos = to know)
gwers (f) (p) gwersyow = verse. an jowl = the devil.
settya war = to attack. arloedh = lord.
diwskovarn (f) = ears. diswul = to destroy.
pandr’a hwer dhis? = konna (p) konnaow = neck.
what is the matter with you? eth ha bos = became
klogh (p) klegh = bell.
K.D.L. Dyskans peswardhek warn ugens. folenn 2.
Govynnadow.
1) Fatell2 gewsis Aethelflaed?

2) Pandr’a2 welas Tewdar yn y2 vrys y honan?
3) Pyth o an droglamm?
4) Prag yth o lev Aethelflaed ownek?
5) Prag y5 ferwis mamm Aethelflaed?
6) Prag na2 welas Tewdar enep Aethelflaed?
7) Fatell o enep Aethelflaed?
8) Pandr’a2 wrug Aethelflaed?
9) Pandr’a2 wra Arwoedh an 2 Grows (herwydh Aethelflaed)?
10) Pyth o an “ober a’n jowl”?
Gramasek.
The verb “mos” = to go. Here is another verb to memorize as far as possible, but always
check when doing written work if you are the least unsure.
Present/Future Tense. Past preterite tense.

av = I go/shall go. yth = I went.
edh = You go/will go. ythys = You went.
a = He etc. goes/will go. eth = He/She/It went.
en = We go/shall go. ethen = We went.
ewgh = You go/will go. ethewgh = You went.
ons = They go/will go. ethons = They went.
Imperfect Tense. Imperfect Subjunctive.

en = I used to go/would go. mars ellen = if I went/had gone.
es = You used to go/would go. mars elles = if you went etc.
e = He used to go/would go. mars ella = if he went etc.
en = We used to go/would go., mars ellen = if we went etc.
ewgh = You used to go/would go’. mars ellewgh = if you went etc.
ens = They used to go/would go. mars ellens = if they went etc.
Imperative. The pluperfect tense is not much used in Modern

Cornish though it is found in the old texts.
ke! = go. It is therefore omitted for the present.
es! = let him go! Use “gul” with the verb noun when the
pluperfect or conditional is needed. There is also
deun! = let us go!/come on! a little used perfect tense but you are
kewgh! = go! recommended to use “res” with the preterite to
ens. = let them go! express the perfect tense, so this also is omitted.
Present Subjunctive. Past Participle
ylliv yllyn gyllys

ylli yllowgh (Gyllys veu = He was gone)
ello ellons
Remember. (1) The particle “a2” is not used with “mos.”

(2) “Nyns” is used when followed by a vowel instead of “ny2” if the verb is
negative.
Exercise 1. Translate the following into Cornish using verbal sentence forms, i.e. beginning
with the correct particle or conjunction.
1) We went. 6) You will go. 11) We did not go.

2) I go. 7) I used to go. 12) I did not go.
3) She will go. 8) We have gone. 13) Come on!
4) They did not go. 9) They used to go. 14) Aethelflaed went.
5) Tewdar did not go. l0) They will go. 15) If Bran had gone...
Exercise 2. Translate the following into Cornish using nominal sentences, i.e. beginning with
the subject. Remember that the particle “a 2” is not used with “mos.”
1) I went. 3) She has gone. 5) Bran went.

2) They will go. 4) Arthur will not go.
Indirect statement with “bos.” The “subject - dhe2 - verb-noun” construction, described in
dysk. 32, can also be used with “bos” but it is not very common.
e.g. Hi a lever Tewdar dhe2 vos troblys. =

She says Tewdar is worried.

1) I said I was in Exeter. 4) They said he is here.
2) She was sure Tewdar would be there. 5) You thought you were in Cornwall.
3) We thought she was ill.
With the “b” tenses of “bos” only it is also possible to use a clause starting with “Y 5” as with
other verbs; see dysk. 32. The “b” tenses are the future, preterite, pluperfect and imperfect
habitual.
e.g. Ev a lever y5 fydh hi lowen. =

He says she will be happy.
Tewdar a2 brederis y5 fia gans Bran = Tewdar thought he had been with Bran.
Exercise 4. Using “Y5” clauses translate the following into Cornish.
1) Tewdar thinks Bran will be here.

2) I know I had been in the Minster Church.
3) They knew that Bran was killed by his men.
4) He thought that he had been robbed (ledrys).
5) Grandfather said that Bran had been king of the Britons.
Negative Indirect Statement with “bos.” The only construction possible is the use of the
negative particle “na2,” as with other verbs (See dysk 32.) “Na2” causes second state mutation
when followed by a “b” tense, and becomes “nag” when followed by a vowel. “Eus,” “usi”,
and “esons” are used as the present tense long forms of “bos.” (See dysk. 12, 13, and 33.)
e.g. My a leveris nag o Aethelflaed lowen. =

I said Aethelflaed was not happy.
Ni a2 wodhya nag esa an pronter y’n managhti. =

We knew the priest was not in the monastery.
My a2 woer nag usi an Penn y’n 2 Gyst.

I know the Head is not in the box.
Sur ov vy na2 vydh hi y’n chi.

I am sure she will not be in the house.
1) I said I was not there.

2) He says he will not be at home.
3) The man hoped his wife was not in Exeter.
4) We are sure that Bran was not Tewdar’s grandfather.
5) It is said (Y leverir) that Arthur was not born (dineythys) in Tintagel. (Dintagell)
Skrif.
You are Aethelflaed. Describe your meeting with Tewdar.

Dyskans pymthek warn ugens. Pymthegves dyskans warn ugens

Revision.
Translate the following into Cornish.
1) We learn because we want to speak Cornish.

2) Cornish will not die if many people learn it.
3) If Cornish were difficult people would not learn it.
4) Mighal speaks, reads and writes Cornish well.
5) They saw the man who found the Head.
6) I am sure (Sur ov vy) the Cornish want to stay in Exeter.
7) He said the King will not die.
8) Tewdar said he was not tired.
9) You will be in Cornwall tomorrow.
10) She knows he will be there.
11) He thought Bran was a god.
12) When Tewdar saw his grandfather, he was very ill.
13) Tewdar waited until Aethelflaed came.
14) It was dark so that Aethelflaed could not see Tewdar’s face.
15) Tewdar was worried when Aethelflaed did not come.
16) If we do not learn Cornish it will die.
17) Tewdar was tired so he did not go to the monastery.
18) They will go to London with Bran’s Head.
19) He went to town yesterday. (de)
20) I know Arthur is not dead.
KERNEWEK DRE LYTHER
Dyskans hwetek warn ugens Hwetegves dyskans warn ugens
(Summary of “gweles.” Verbs taking “dhe2 ” with Direct Object. Conjunctions “dell2,” and
“kettell 2.”)
Athelstan
Pub dydh oll a’n seythun na, yth esa gwesyon an mer y’n 2 dre ow4 klanhe an stretys
kyns an myghtern dhe2 dhos. Leskys via an kals a skoellyon may5 fia gorhemmynnys dhe2
Dewdar gorra an Penn. Dy’ Gwener y5 teuth kannas an myghtern dhe leverel dhe’n mer ha
dhe’n abas an myghtern dhe2 dhos Dy’ Sadorn gans bagas bras a2 bennsevigyon ha lies
souder. Dhe2 wir, yth esa gans an myghtern lu ervys byghan.
Dy Sadorn, y5 teuth an myghtern, ha’n 2 dus eth yn-mes a’ga chiow rag y2 weles, ha
garma.
Dy’ Sul yth esa keskerdh bras dre stretys an 2 dre. An myghtern, noeth y2 benn, a2
gerdhas war-lergh managh esa ow4 toen Sin an 2 Grows bras. War-lergh an myghtern, yth esa
peswar managh ow4 toen bynk, ha warnedhi, an Krer Sans, yn kyst rych ha splann.
Ena bush bras a2 bronteryon ha menegh a sywyas, rann anedha gans baneryow ow 4
tiskwedhes Maria ha’n Syns erell. An abas ha’n epskop a’n sywyas. Wor’tiwedh, y5 teuth an 2
dus lel war-lergh an keskerdh dhe’n Eglos Managhti.
Nyns esa chons dhe2 Dewdar dhe2 weles Aethelflaed. Yth esa hi gans hy3 thas y’n
eglos. Du hy gon ha trist hy enep, hi a2 wre kewsel yn kortes gans nebes pennsevigyon
yowynk, mes nyns esa spas y’n eglos dhe’n 2 Gernowyon, ha Tewdar y’ga mysk..
Wosa an oferenn, an myghtern a2 ginyewis gans an abas ha’n epskop.

“Pur2 deg yw dha eglos managhti, Arloedh Abas,” yn-medh an myghtern.
“Ro Dyw ha’n Arloedh Myghtern yw hy3 thekter,” a2 worthybis an abas, meur y
skians yn kever pennsevigyon, mes an myghtern o pur skiansek ynwedh yn- kever tus a’n par
na. Ny’s kara. Athelstan a2 dreylyas war-tu ha’n epskop. Yn-medh ev,
“A Arloedh Epskop, an 2 dus a’gas epskobeth y’n ranndir ma yw lel ha nerthek yn
kryjyans agan Arloedh Yesu Krist ha’n Eglos Katholik Sans, dell2 grysav?
“Yns, a2 Vyghtern,” a2 worthybis an Epskop. “Pur lel yw an 2 dus sowsnek dhe’n
Eglos Katholik. An 2 dus2 vrythonek yw Kristonyon2 dha ynwedh, mes perthi kov a2 wrons
a’n hen Eglos Keltek. Byttegyns, ny skonyons a2 vos dhe’n Oferenn Dy’ Sul.”
“Brythonyon?” yn-medh an myghtern, meur y2 varth. “Eus Brythonyon omma?”
Gerva
gwas (p) gwesyon : servant noeth : bare
glanhe : to clean doen : to carry
leskys : burnt Sin an 2 Grows : Processional Cross
kannas(f) (p) kannasow bynk (f) (p) bynkys : platform
: messenger rych : rich
pennsevik (p) pennsevigyon : bush (p) bushys : crowd
noble chons (p) chonsys : chance
souder(p) soudoryon : soldier gon (p) gonow : gown
lu ervys : army ro (p) rohow : gift
garma : to shout skians : knowledge
keskerdh (p) keskerdhow : skiansek : wise
procession epskobeth : diocese
ranndir : district dell2 grysav : (as) I believe
lel ; loyal (krysi : to believe)
kryjyans (f) : belief hen (always before noun) : old
skonya (a2) : to refuse (to)
K.D.L. Dyskans hwetek warn ugens folenn 2
Govynnadow
1) Piw a2 wre glanhe an stretys?
2) A2 via an Penn leskys?
3) Piw a2 dheuth gans an myghtern?
4) Pandr’a2 wrug tus an 2 dre Dy’ Sadorn?
5) Piw o hembrenkyas an keskerdh?
6) Prag na2 allas Tewdar gweles Aethelflaed?
7) Pandr’a hwarva wosa an Oferenn?
8) Fatell2 gewsis an abas dhe’n myghtern?
9) A2 garas an myghtern an abas?
10) Prag yth esa meur a2 varth gans an myghtern?
Gramasek
The verb “Gweles” = “to see:”. A number of verbs ending in “-es” follow the pattern of this
verb.
Present/Future Tense Past (preterite tense)

gwelav = I see/shall see gwelis = I saw
gwelydh = You see/will see gwelsys = You saw
gwel = He etc. sees/will see gwelas = He etc. saw
gwelyn = We see/shall see gwelsyn = We saw
gwelowgh = You see/will see gwelsowgh = You saw
gwelons = They see/will see gwelsons = They saw
Imperfect Tense Pluperfect/Conditional Tense

gwelyn = I used to see gwelsen = I had seen/would
see
gwelys = You used to see gwelses = You had seen/would see
gweli = He etc. used to see gwelsa = He etc. had seen etc
gwelyn = We used to see gwelsen = We had
seen/would see
gwelewgh = You used to see gwelsewgh = You had seen/would see
gwelens = They used to see gwelsens = They had seen/would see
Present Subjunctive Imperfect Subjunctive

gwylliv mar 4 kwellen = if I saw/had seen
gwylli mar kwelles = if you saw/had seen
gwello mar kwella = if he etc. saw/had seen
gwyllyn mar kwellen = if we saw/had seen
gwellowgh mar kwellewgh = if you saw/had seen
gwellons mar kwellens = if they saw/had seen
Imperative
gwel = see! gwelyn! = let us see!
gweles = let him see gwelewgh = see:
gwelens! = let them see!
Exercise 1. Translate the following into Cornish using the correct forms of “gweles” in verbal
sentences with the correct particles and mutations.
1) I see. 8) The man will see. 15) They would not see.
2) We saw. 9) He used not to see. 16) She did not see.
3) She used to see. 10) I would see. 17) If we saw.
4) They have seen. 11) If they saw. 18) We used to see.
5) He had seen. 12) She saw. 19) Bran did not see.
6) We would see. 13) Let us see. 20) He will see.
7) I do not see. 14) I have seen.
Verbs used with “dhe2”

“amma” (to kiss), “gorhemmynn”(to order), “gul” (to make), “leverel” (to tell) and a number
of other verbs are followed by “dhe2” before the object, though in English the object is direct.
e.g. Tewdar a ammas dhe Aethelflaed = Tewdar kissed Aethelflaed.
Y2 das a2 worhemmynnas dhe2 Dewdar skoellya an Penn.
= His father told Tewdar to get rid of the Head.
(Notice that there is no word for “to” in front of any verb-noun that follows the object.)
Exercise 2 Translate the following into Cornish.

1) Tewdar kissed Aethelflaed.
2) Bran ordered his men to carry his head to London.
3) His grandfather told Tewdar to keep the Head.
4) His father made Tewdar take the Head out of the house.
5) The abbot told the monks to carry the Holy Relic.
6) He ordered me to stay in Exeter.
7) His mother told Tewdar to go to the monastery.
8) The king ordered me to go.
9) She did not kiss me.
10) The bishop did not tell the abbot to tell the king.
If sentences of this kind are passive, the “dhe2” must be kept in a rather clumsy construction.
There is an example in the story:
e.g. Leskys via an kals a skoellyon may5 fia gorhemmynnys
dhe2 Dewdar gorra an Penn = (word for word)
Burned had been the pile of rubbish on which it had been ordered to Tewdar put the
Head.
or, in normal English:
The pile of rubbish on which Tewdar had been ordered to put the Head had been
burned.
Similar examples are:
e.g. Y5 feu gorhemmynnys dhodho gortos. = He was told to stay.
Y5 feu leverys dhymm kewsel Kernewek. = I was told to speak Cornish.
Notice that in the last example the verb becomes third person, literally “It was told to me to
speak Cornish.”
Exercise 3
1) She was kissed on the lips.
2) Tewdar was made to go to the monastery.
3) He was ordered to see the king.
4) I was told to find a priest.
5) They were ordered to go to the church.
6) The servants were told to clean the streets.
7) The Cornish were ordered to go to the Mass.
8) The men were ordered to burn the pile of rubbish.
9) Tewdar was kissed by his mother. (p. part. of “amma” is “ymmys.”)
10) Aethelflaed was made to stay at home.
Conjunction “dell2” = “as”. “Dell2” is always followed by the verb, like the conjunctions
given in dyskans 33. It often forms a parenthetical clause, and can be used instead of an
Indirect Statement construction. Look at these examples:
e.g. Aethelflaed yw lowen, dell2 grysav.
Aethelflaed is happy, (as) I believe. OR:
I believe Aethelflaed is happy.
Yma an myghtern omma, dell2 wonn =
The king is here (as) I know. OR:
I know the king is here.
An myghtern ny2 gar an abas, dell hevel =
The king does not like the abbot, apparently. (as it seems)
These “dell2” clauses are very handy and are often used.
Exercise 4. Using “dell2” clauses as in the examples, translate the following into Cornish.
1) Aethelflaed will not come, he thinks.
2) The relic is a bone of St. Chad, apparently.
3) I know Tewdar loves Aethelflaed.
4) It seems that the Head has a curse.
5) I believe you know the Bishop, Lord Abbot.
6) I hope Cornish will live.
7) The king is angry, apparently.
8) The bishop is a good man, as we know. (godhon)
9) He seems to like the Cornish.
10) The church is full, I see.
The conjunction “kettell2” = “as soon as.” This is also followed by a verb.
e.g. Kettell eth Tewdar, y5 teuth y2 vamm. =
As soon as Tewdar went, his mother came.

1) As soon as the king came, I shouted.
2) As soon as Tewdar saw Aethelflaed, he stopped.
3) Aethelflaed went to the church as soon as she heard the news.
4) As soon as Tewdar left the head in the cottage, a curse fell.
5) As soon as Aethelflaed spoke about her mother, Tewdar saw Bran.
Skrif.
You are the Bishop. Write a speech of thanks and welcome to the king.
KERNEWEK DRE LYTHER
Dyskans seytek warn ugens Seytegves dyskans warn ugens
(Summary of “dos.” Conjunctions “kyn 5” and “a-ban 2” in affirmative and negative clauses.
The adverb “nammna2”)
Tus Ifarn.
“Eus, a2 Vyghtern,” a leveris an epskop. “Niver bras anedha a2 drig yn Karesk wosa
termyn Epskop Asser. Agas tas-gwynn, Myghtern Alfred (requiescat in pace) a2 wrug y gar
Asser, Epskop Karesk. Kembrek ova ha kar an 2 Vrythonyon.”
Nyns o pes da an myghtern, dell heveli. An epskop o den kolonnek, ha ganso kerensa
kristyon orth y2 bobel oll, ha Sowson ha Kernowyon. Marth o ganso bos serrys an myghtern
yn kever an 2 Gernowyon. Dres ogas ha kansblydhen, nyns esa bresel gans an 2 Gernowyon.
An epskop da ny2 vynna saw kres dhe2 besya bys vykken.
Byttegyns, an abas ny2 gara an 2 Gernowyon. Yth esa nebes menegh 2 gernewek yn y2
vanaghti. An 2 dus ma a2 vynna pup-prys tevi aga gols hir war-lergh, kepar ha’n 2 venegh 2
geltek y’n oesow koth. I a2 grodhvola pub blydhen dhe2 Bask, ow leverel nag o an seythun na
ewn dhe’n goel na.
“Eus,” yn-medh an abas, “yma lies Brython yn Karesk ha lies managh kernewek y’n
managhti.”
Ev a hwilas neptra dhe leverel rag kabla an 2 Gernowyon. Ena, ev a2 borthas kov a’n
hwedhel koth derivys orto nans o dewgens blydhen gans den re2 wrussa omladh erbynn an 2
Dhanogyon pan omsettsons war 2 Garesk. Den a’n 2 Gernowyon re2 wrussa treghi an penn
dhiworth Danek marow. Y2 worra yn kyst re2 wrussa hag ena leverel dhe lies Kernow y2 vos
penn neb dyw keltek - neb dyw pagan. An hwedhel ma a2 dherivis an abas yn fordh pur sad.
Mar4 teffa Bran y honan rag dibenna an abas, pur lowen via an epskop.
Hag ev ow klywes an hwedhel, moy ha moy serrys eth an myghtern. Wor’tiwedh, ev
a2 dreylyas troha’n epskop.
“Kristonyon2 dha yns dhe2 wir, dha2 Vrythonyon, a Arloedh Epskop!” yn-medh ev.
“Nag yns, dell2 hevel! Tus pagan, tus an jowl, tus ifarn yns i”
Gerva.
kolonnek = good-hearted omladh = to fight
kansblydhen (f) = century erbynn = against
bresel (p) breselyow = war Danek (p) Danogyon = Dane
ny2...saw = only omsettya war 2 = to attack
bys vykken = for ever pagan = pagan
gols = hair sad = serious
Pask = Easter mar 4 teffa = if...had come
hwilas = to look for eth = became
neptra = something gis (p) gisyow = custom, fashion
kabla = to blame ewn = correct, right
goel (p) goelyow = feast, festival
Govynnadow
1) Piw o tas-gwynn Athelstan?
2) Prag nag o an myghtern pes da?
3) Py par den o an epskop?
4) Prag na2 gara an abas an 2 Gernowyon?
5) Pyth o an gis koth a’n 2 venegh 2 geltek?
6) P’eur klywas an abas an hwedhel yn kever an penn?
7) Piw o an den a’n 2 Gernowyon y’n hwedhel?
8) Piw o an dyw keltek?
K.D.L. Dyskans seytek warn ugens folenn 2.
9) Prag yth o an myghtern serrys?

10) Prag y krys Athelstan bos an 2 Gernowyon “tus ifarn”?
Gramasek.
The verb “dos” = “to come”
Present/Future Tense Past (Preterite) Tense
dov = I come/shall come deuth = I came
deudh = You come/will come deuthys = You came
deu = He etc. comes/will come deuth = He/She/It came
deun = We come/shall come deuthen = We came
dewgh = You come/ will come deuthewgh = You came
dons = They come/will come deuthons= They came
den = I used to come/came dothyen = I had come/would come

des = You used to come/came dothyes = You had come/would
do = He used to come/came dothya = He had come/would come
den = We used to come/came dothyen = We had come/would come
dewgh = You used to come/came dothyewgh = You had come/would
dens = They used to come/came dothyens = They had come/would

dyffiv mar 4 teffen = if I came/had come
dyffi mar teffes = if you came/had come
deffo mar teffa = if he came/had come
dyffyn mar teffen = if we came/had come
dyffowgh mar teffewgh = if you came/had come
deffons mar teffens = if they came/had come
Imperative
deun! = let us come! (come on!)
deus! = come! dewgh! = come!
des! = let him come dens! = let them come!
As with “mos” (see dysk. 34) “dos” has a little used perfect tense which is omitted here.
Exercise 1. Translate the following into Cornish using the correct form of “dos” in verbal
sentences with the correct particle and mutation.
1) I came. 8) We have come 15) I used to come.
2) He comes. 9) You would come. 16) If they did not come.
3) They come. 10) They had come. 17) Come!
4) We used to come. 11) If we came. 18) Let him come.
5) They used not to come. 12) He did not come. 19) He had come.
6) She came. 13) They will come. 20) She would not come
7) They came. 14 ) You will not come.
Conjunctions “kyn 5” (although) and “a-ban 2” (since). Like the conjunctions studied in
dyskansow 27, 33, and 36, these are always followed by the verb. “Kyn 5” becomes ‘kynth”
when followed by a vowel, or “h”:
e.g. Kyn5 ferwis an tas-gwynn, an molleth a2 wortas. =

Although the grandfather died, the curse remained.
K.D.L. Dyskans seytek warn ugens folenn 3.
Tewdar re bia ow4 konis a-ban 2 dhrehevis an howl. =

Tewdar had been working since the sun rose.

1) Tewdar lived in Exeter although he was Cornish.
2) Since the abbot had spoken about the head, the king had been angry.
3) Although Tewdar saw Aethelflaed, he could not speak with her.
4) Since Asser was bishop, the Cornish had lived in Exeter.
5) Although he was a friend of King Alfred, he was a Celt.
“Nammna2” = “nearly.” This adverb always precedes the verb it goes with. It becomes
“nammnag” before vowels in parts of “bos” and “mos.”
e.g. Nammna2 goedhas ev. = He nearly fell.
Nammna2 grysis an hwedhel gokki. = I nearly believed the silly story.

1) She almost wept. (oelas)
2) We nearly saw the king.
3) The bishop nearly left Exeter.
4) The sun almost shone.
5) He nearly lost the Head.
Conjunctions with a negative verb. “Kyn5” and “a-ban 2” both take “na2” as the negative
particle before the verb. (The adverb “nammna” is not used with a negative verb.)
e.g. Kyn nag eth dhe2 Gernow, y5 hwelas y2 gowetha. =
Although he did not go to Cornwall, he saw his friends.

1) Although the abbot did not tell the truth, the king was angry.
2) Since the Cornish cannot stay in Exeter, they will go to Cornwall.
3) Since the abbot did not like the Cornish, he wanted to blame them.
4) Although we cannot stay in Cornwall, we will go there.
5) Since Cornish is not difficult, many people will learn it.
Skrif.
Do you think stories based on Cornish history are likely to encourage people to study the
language, history, and culture of Cornwall?
KERNEWEK DRE LYTHER
Dyskans etek warn ugens Etegves dyskans warn ugens
(Summary of “glanhe” (to clean). Conjunctions with infixed object pronouns. Indirect
Statement with “Future in the Past.”)
Souder Sowsnek
Euver o dhe’n epskop assaya y hebaskhe. Yn-medh ev dhe’n myghtern,
“Hwedhel pur2 goth yw, heb sel2 wir, a2 vyghtern. An 2 Gernowyon yw Kristonyon
lel, ha sojets da agas braster. Mars eus gwiryonedh vydh y’n hwedhel, an den yw marow
lemmyn, heb mar, ha denvydh ny2 woer travydh y’n dydhyow ma a’n penn ma.”
Mes an myghtern nyns esa ow4 koslowes. Athelstan re2 dhegemmersa omrians
myghternedh an 2 Vrythonyon nans o naw blydhen, hag omma yth esa Brythonyon ow triga
kepar ha Sowson, ha praktisya kryjyans pagan kekeffrys!
An nos na, yth esa Tewdar a’y2 worwedh war y2 gala gweli kales. Yn berr dermyn y5
fedha an howl ow4 trehevel. Ny2 ylli Tewdar koska. Troblys ova yn y enev. Ny2 wodhya mar 4
kwre gweles Aethelflaed arta. Martesen mos dhe2 -ves a2 wrussa gans onan a’n 2 bennsevigyon
a’n myghtern. Yn y2 golonn, ev a2 wodhya hi dh’y2 gara y honan, kepar dell y’s kara ev, hy
honan. Yn despit dhe’n Grows gwrys war y2 gorf gans Aethelflaed, Tewdar a synsi yn y enev
galloes an Penn. Ny2 ylli y2 asa y’n krowji yn-dann an kala gweli. Res porres o y2 dhaskavoes
ha’y2 gudha neb le y’n chi le ma na’n gwella y2 das. Pub eur oll, hag ev y’n krowji, Tewdar a
synsi poes molleth an Penn warnodho ev, war Aethelflaed, war y2 deylu, ha war an 2 ger2
dhien.
Hag ev ow prederi y’n fordh ma, ev a2 glywas tros koynt y’n pellder. An tros a dheuth
yn nes ha Tewdar a aswonnis y2 vos tros tus ow kerdhes. Ny2 ylli konvedhes pyth esa ow
koedha. An tros re2 wrussa dos bys y’n chi pan 2 dhifunas y2 das. Mos dhe’n daras a2 wrug
sywys gans Tewdar. Y’n pols na, yth esa garm ughel ha’n tros a hedhis. Tas Tewdar a igoras
an daras ha kavoes a-dheragdho souder sowsnek, kledha yn y2 dhorn!
Gerva
euver = useless ny2 wodhya mar 4) = (he did not know
hebaskhe = to soothe kwre gweles ) (whether he would
sel (f) (p) selyow = basis (see
Kristyon (p) Kristonyon = Christian y honan/hy honan = alone
sojet (p) sojets = subject synsi = to feel
braster = majesty galloes = power
omrians = surrender daskavoes = to recover
praktisya = to practise kerdhes = to march
y5 fedha an howl) = (the sun would koedha = to happen
ow4 trehevel ) (be rising difuna = to wake up
garm (f) (p) garmow = shout
poes (p) poesow = weight
Govynnadow
1) Fatell assayas an epskop hebaskhe an myghtern?
2) Pyth yw an hwedhel kampoellys gans an epskop?
3) Prag yth o an myghtern serrys?
4) Py par gweli esa dhe2 Dewdar?
5) Prag na2 ylli Tewdar koska?
6) Ple5 fynna Tewdar kudha an Penn?
7) Pandr’a2 glywas Tewdar?
8) Piw eth kynsa dhe’n daras?
9) Piw esa a-dherag an daras?
10) Pyth esa yn dorn an Sows?
K.D.L. Dyskans etek warn ugens folenn 2
Gramasek
The verb “glanhe” (to clean) There are a number of verbs like “glanhe” ending in “-he” and
derived from adjectives. “Hebaskhe” (to soothe) occurs in the story, and “glanhe” is a model
verb for all of this type. Here are some common examples:
berrhe = to shorten/become short
hirhe = to lengthen/ become long
toemmhe = to heat/get hot
yeynhe = to make/become cold
yaghhe = to get better/make better (in health)
kothhe = to grow old
unnverhe = to agree

glanhav = I clean/shall clean glanhis = I cleaned
glanhydh = You clean/will clean glanhasys = You cleaned
glanha = He cleans/will clean glanhas = He cleaned
glanhyn = We clean/shall clean glanhasyn = we cleaned
glanhowgh = You clean/will clean glanhasowgh = You cleaned
glanhons = They clean/will clean glanhasons = They cleaned
glanhyn = I used to clean etc. glanhasen = I had cleaned etc.
glanhys = You used to clean glanhases = You had cleaned
glanhi = He used to clean glanhasa = He had cleaned
glanhyn = We used to clean glanhasen = We had cleaned
glanhewgh = You used to clean glanhasewgh = You had cleaned
glanhens = They used to clean glanhasens = They had cleaned
Present subjunctive Imperfect Subjunctive
glanhahiv mar 4 klanhahen = if I cleaned etc.
glanhahi mar klanhahes = if you cleaned
glanhaho mar klanhaha = if he cleaned
glanhahyn mar klanhahen = if we cleaned
glanhahowgh mar klanhahewgh = if you cleaned
glanhahons mar klanhahens = if they cleaned
Past Participle glanhes: e.g. glanhes yw = it is cleaned
(This is the only verb type with p.p. in “-hes.” Others end in “-ys.” or “-yes”)
Imperative
glanhyn! = let us clean!
glanha! = clean! glanhewgh! = clean!
glanhes! = let him clean, glanhens! = let them clean:
When the stem ends in “h” as with “yaghhe” and “kothhe” there is a double “h” throughout.

1) Yowann cleaned his car.
2) The bishop will not soothe the king.
3) The sun heated the house.
4) Tewdar’s grandfather will not get better.
5) He has grown old.
K.D.L. Dyskans etek warn ugens folenn 3.
6) We agree.
7) The wind chills the monastery.
8) Smoking will shorten our life.
9) The days grow long in summer.
10) Clean the car for me, please!
Conjunctions followed by verbs with object pronouns.

We saw in dyskans 27 how object pronouns are infixed between the verb and its particle.
When such verbs and infixed pronoun objects are preceded by a conjunction, the following
adjustments take place:
1) “Mar4”(if) becomes “mara” and is followed immediately by the infixed pronoun and verb.
e.g. Mara’n gwelav, y kewsav ganso. = If I see him, I speak to him.
2) “May5”(so that) becomes “ma” and is followed immediately by the infixed pronoun and
verb.
e.g. Mar2 doemm o ma’n gesis dhe2 goedha = It was so hot that I dropped it.
3) “Erna2” (until) and “nammna” (nearly) are also followed directly by the infixed pronoun
and verb.
e.g. Gortos a2 wrug erna’s gwelis = I waited until I saw her.
Nammna’n ledhis = I nearly killed him.
4) Other conjunctions are followed by the verbal particle “y5” and then the infixed pronoun
and verb.
e.g. Pan y’n gwelav, y kewsav ganso = When I see him, I speak to him.
Kyn y’m gwelas, ny2 gewsis genev = Although he saw me, he did not speak to me.

1) When I found him, I took him to the Reeve.
2) As soon as we heard you we came to meet you.
3) Although I know you, I cannot help you.
4) I do the job like you do it.
5) He doesn’t know how they do it.
6) Since he knows you, surely he will help you.
7) I will send you where you will see them.
8) If you love me, come with me.
9) If we read it, it will help us to learn the language.
10) Tewdar nearly lost it.(lost = kollas)
Indirect Statement with “Future in the Past.” In the sentence “He said he would come.”
“would come” indicates an action which was in the future at the time the statement was made.
What he said was, in fact, “I will come.”
In this kind of sentence, where no condition is stated or implied, the
pluperfect/conditional tense is not used in the “y 5” clause. We simply use the imperfect, so the
Cornish becomes the equivalent of “He said he was coming.”
e.g. Ev a leveris y5 to. = He said he was coming/would come.
If the verb “to be” is used in the indirect statement a special form of the imperfect called the
“habitual imperfect” is used. This goes as follows:
K.D.L. Dyskans etek warn ugens folenn 4
bedhen = I was/used to be bedhen = We were/used to be

bedhes = You were/used to be bedhewgh = You were/used to be
bedha = He was/used to be bedhens = They were/used to be
Thus, in the story:

“Yn berr dermyn y5 fedha an howl ow 4 trehevel.” = “In a short time the sun would be
rising.”
(showing Tewdar’s thought at the time)
(It is possible to use the “subject - dhe2 - verb-noun” construction also if the clause is
affirmative.)
Exercise 3. Translate the following into Cornish, using “y 5” or negative “na2” clauses with
the imperfect tense.
1) He said he would not come.
2) They thought the grandfather would die.
3) Tewdar knew he would find the Head.
4) The abbot knew the king would be angry.
5) We said that the soldiers would come.
6) Tewdar was sure a curse would fall on Exeter.
7) The girl said she would be in the church.
8) They said they would not shout when the king came.
9) I said I would like to learn Cornish.
10) We knew Cornish would not die.
Skrif.
Continue the story!

KERNEWEK DRE LYTHER
Dyskans nownsek warn ugens. Nownsegves dyskans warn
ugens
(Summary of “mynnes.” Present participle with “orth” and object-pronoun. Compound

Prepositions.)
Fo
“Hemm yw hembrenkyas an 2 Gernowyon!” Tewdar a aswonnis lev an abas. An
souder a dhrehevis y2 gledha rag gweskel y2 das, mes kyns an kledha dhe2 goedha, ev a sesyas
diwskoedh y2 das rag y2 denna war-dhelergh ha’n kledha a2 goedhas war-tu ha’n dor. Tewdar
a settyas dalghenn yn garthow hir ryb an daras ha’y2 bychya yn enep an souder, meur y2 varth.
Ev a2 goedhas war-dhelergh gans garm euthek hag y’n keth pols Tewdar a2 boenyas yn-mes
a’n chi a-berth y’n aswa ynter an chiow, ha mes a2 wel an soudoryon. Poenya a2 wrug heb lett
bys pan 2 dheuth dhe2 volgh yn fos an 2 ger, hag yth esa ev y’n gwelyow. Lemmyn yth esa tros
euthek war y lergh, mes dh’y2 varth meur, denvydh ny2 wrussa y sywya. Ny2 gonvedhas mann
prag yth omsettsa an souder war y2 das, na pandr’a wre an soudoryon, mes nyns esa marnas
unn tybyans ganso, dhe dretha an avon hag omgudha y’n gwylvos. Yn gwella prys, nyns esa
meur a2 dhowr y’n avon hag ev a’n trethas heb kaletter. Wor’tiwedh, hedhi a2 wrug ha mires
orth an 2 ger. Yth esa mog ow4 trehevel dhiworth kwartron an 2 Gernowyon, ha flammow
treweythyow. Tewdar a2 ylli klywes hwath garmow euthek.
Hag ev ow mires, yet2 vras an 2 ger a2 veu igerys, ha bush bras a2 dus a2 dheuth yn-mes
a’n sita. Gwel euthek dres eghenn o. Tus koth, tus yowynk, benynes gans babanes, benynes
koth, tus kloppek, fleghes2 vyghan, tus gans goliow, tus ow skoellya goes, re ow kerdhes, re
ow poenya, an fros ma a2 wrug y fordh war-tu ha Tewdar. Ena yth esa diwedh dhe’n liv a2
Gernowyon, ha Tewdar a2 welas an yet ow tegea. War-lergh an 2 Gernowyon 2 dhiarv, yth esa
lies souder sowsnek gans gywow orth aga3 figa ha’ga herdhya. Treweythyow neb den a2 wre
koedha dhe’n dor goliys yn 5 trog gans gyw onan an soudoryon. Yth esa an soudoryon ow 4
karma mollothow euthek, hag yn-mysk an mollothow, “Kewgh dhe2-ves! Kewgh dhe2
Gernow! Kewgh dres an Tamer heb hedhi!”
Gerva
gweskel = to strike dres eghenn = exceedingly
sesya = to seize baban (p) babanes = baby
tenna = to pull kloppek = lame
war-dhelergh = backwards goli (p) goliow = wound
war-tu ha = towards skoellya = to shed
settya dalghenn yn = to grab fros (p) frosow = torrent
garthow (p) garthowyow = ox-goad liv (p) livow = flood
pychya = to thrust diarv = unarmed
lett = delay gyw (p) gywow = spear
bys pan 2 = until (+ verb) piga = to prod, goad
bolgh (p) bolghow = breach herdhya = to push, shove
war y lergh = behind him sawya = to save
ny ... mann = not at all arv (f) (p) arvow = weapon
tretha = to cross (water) fo = flight, retreat
gwylvos = forest land goes = blood
Govynnadow
1) Fatell2 wodhva Tewdar bos an abas ow kewsel?
2) Fatell sawyas Tewdar bywnans y2 das?
3) Pandr’a hwarva dhe’n souder sowsnek?
4) Pleth eth Tewdar?
5) Prag yth omsettyas an souder war 2 das Tewdar?
6) Prag nag o kales tretha an avon?
K.D.L. Dyskans nownsek warn ugens folenn 2
7) Pandr’a2 welas Tewdar pan hedhis?

8) Pandr’a2 wrug an soudoryon sowsnek?
9) Esa arvow dhe’n 2 Gernowyon?
10) Pandr’a2 armas an soudoryon dhe’n 2 Gernowyon?
Gramasek
The verb “mynnes” (to wish/want). This verb is followed by a verb-noun, showing “to
want/wish/be willing etc. to do something ”
e.g. My a2 vynn dyski Kernewek = I want to learn Cornish.
It is not normally followed by a noun object.
e.g. My a vynn kavoes karr nowydh = I want a new car.
mynnav = I wish/want mynnis = I wished/wanted
mynnydh = You wish/want mynnsys = You wished/wanted
mynn = He wishes/wants mynnas = He wished/wanted
mynnyn = We wish/want mynnsyn = We
wished/wanted
mynnowgh = You wish/want mynnsowgh = You wished/wanted
mynnons = They wish/want mynnsons = They wished/wanted
mynnen = I was wanting etc. mynnsen = I had wanted/would want
mynnes = You were wanting etc. mynnses = You had wanted
etc
mynna = He was wanting etc. mynnsa = He had wanted etc.
mynnen = We were wanting mynnsen = We had wanted etc.
mynnewgh = You were wanting mynnsewgh = You had wanted etc
mynnens = They were wanting mynnsens = They had wanted etc.

mynniv mar mynnen = if I wanted/had wanted
mynni mar mynnes = if you wanted/had wanted
mynno mar mynna = if he wanted/had wanted
mynnyn mar mynnen = if we wanted/had
wanted
mynnowgh mar mynnewgh = if you wanted/had wanted
mynnons mar mynnens = if they wanted/bad wanted
(Imperatives not in use)
1) We want to go home.
2) Tomorrow I shall want to go out.
3) The Cornish wanted to stay in Exeter.
4) The king wanted to give the Holy Relic to the minster church.
5) If they wanted to go, the English would not prevent them.
6) Bran wanted to get the cauldron.
7) I do not wish to leave Exeter.
8) Do you want to stay with Tewdar?
9) We would stay if we could.
10) Tewdar wanted to save his father.
Present Participle with Object Pronouns. If the present participle has a pronoun object,
instead of using “ow4 + verb-noun” (dyskans 11), “orth” is used followed by the possessive
adjective as object, followed by the verb-noun:
K.D.L. Dyskans nownsek warn ugens folenn 3.
e.g. Yth esa lies souder sowsnek gans gywow orth aga3 figa ha’ga herdhya, =
There were many English soldiers with spears prodding them and shoving them.
An Sowson a omsettyas war an chiow kernewek, orth aga leski heb tregeredh. =
The English attacked the Cornish houses, burning them without pity.
Exercise 2. Translate the following into Cornish using a present participle in the appropriate
construction.
1) As Tewdar struck him, the soldier fell backwards.

2) While they were looking for him, he went away.
3) Tewdar seized his father, pulling him backwards.
4) We are looking for him.
5) The soldiers pushed the Cornish, prodding them with their spears.
Compound prepositions. A number of prepositions consisting of two words, but sometimes

written as one when followed by a noun, are divided when they govern a pronoun which is
inserted between the two parts in the form of the corresponding possessive adjective.
e.g. Yth esa tros euthek war y lergh. =

There was a frightful noise behind him.
These prepositions are as follows:
war-lergh = after, behind

erbynn = against (er + pynn) (mos erbynn = to meet)
yn kever = with regard to, about
yn kyrghynn = around
yn le = instead of
yn-mysk = among
e.g. war agan lergh = after us

yn hy3 hever = about her
y’ga mysk = among them
er aga3 fynn = against them
1) After them
2) Against us
3) About her
4) Instead of you
5) Around him
6) Among them
7) After me
8) Against her
9) About us
10) I want to meet you
Skrif
Write a letter of protest from the King of Cornwall to Athelstan to protest about the expulsion
of the Cornish from Exeter.
KERNEWEK DRE LYTHER
Dyskans dewgens Dewgensves dyskans
Revision
Translate the following into Cornish;-
1) We saw the king ordering the soldiers to go to the Cornish quarter.
2) They were told to leave the city.
3) We believe the bishop was a good man.
4) As soon as the abbot spoke, the king got (eth ha bos) angry.
5) Although I was coming to see him, he was not in the house.
6) Since we have come in the car, we are not tired.
7) The box was nearly burned with the rubbish.
8) I shall clean the house tomorrow.
9) In spring the days lengthen.
10) Tewdar’s grandfather has grown old.
11) Let us clean the city.
12) If we see it, we shall give it to the reeve.
13) She nearly lost it.
14) We knew he would die.
15) They said the king would be coming.
16) You wanted to stay at home
17) If he wanted to see Aethelflaed, he would go to the church on Sunday.
18) Seeing her in the darkness, he wanted to kiss her.
19) As the soldiers burned the houses, the Cornish met Tewdar by the river.
20) Tewdar’s father was in the middle of the English soldiers.

Dyskans onan ha dewgens Kernewek dre Lyther Kynsa dyskans ha dewgens
(Summary of “godhvos.” Present subjunctive with “erna2, pan 2, kettell2,” etc. Verb-noun as
object of verb. “Rag” and “Dhe2” with verb-noun to express purpose. “Mar 2/maga 5. .. .
.avel/dell2” = as.....as.”
Hembrenkyas Nowydh
“Na2 drest nevra dhe lavar den!”
Wor’tiwedh, ha pur lent, Tewdar a2 gonvedhas falsuri an myghtern sowsnek. Hag ev
ow tos dhe Garesk gans ro Krer Sans, Athelstan ny2 vynnas marnas chasya an 2 Vrythonyon
4
yn-mes a’n 2 ger.

Yth esa an 2 dus2 voghosek ow4 tos war-tu ha’n avon. Tewdar a aswonnis maw orth
penn an keskerdh. Ev a2 dremenas an avon hag yth esa marth meur ganso ow 4 kweles
Tewdar.
“Res yw kavoes fordh war-tu ha Lannstefan,” yn-medh ev dhe’n maw. Tewdar ny2
wrussa mos mar 2 bell avel an avon Tamer, mes y2 das a2 wre kewsel treweythyow yn kever
managhti keltek Lannstefan esa dres an Tamer.
“Fatell?” a2 wovynnas an maw.
“Ke troha’n howlsedhes, a-dhiworth an avon Esk,” a2 worthybis Tewdar. Yn gwella
prys an maw ny2 dhisputyas, hag ev eth dhe2 -ves.
Tewdar ny2 wodhya pyth dhe2 wul. Hwilas y2 das ha’y2 vamm a2 wrug. Skon moy a2
dus a dremenas an avon ha sywya an kynsa maw. Ena y5 teuth bagas a2 dus a aswonni
2
Tewdar yn 5 ta.
“A2 Dewdar,” yn-medhons i, meur aga anken, “Marow yw dha2 das ha’th 5 vamm.
Nyns eus dhyn hembrenkyas vydh lemmyn, marnas ty!”
“Gwith pub eur oll an 2 gyst ha’n Penn!”
Y2 das re2 glywsa molleth an Penn rag ev dh’y2 dhannvon dhe2 -ves!
Nyns esa termyn dhodho dhe2 gyni. An 2 bobel re’n dewissa hembrenkyas yn le y2 das.
“Kewgh dhe Lannstefan. Kewgh troha’n howlsedhes,” yn-medh ev.” My a2 wra
gortos erna2 dheffo an 2 dus erell.”
Gerva
falsuri : foul play klywes : to feel, experience
ny2......marnas : only kyni : to lament
boghosek : poor dewis : to choose, elect
mar 2 bell avel : as far as (erna2 dheffo : until the other
2
Lannstefan : Launceston an dus erell people come)
a-dhiworth : away from anken (p) ankenyow : distress
Govynnadow
1) A2 wreta tybi (think) an myghtern dhe2 dhos dhe2 Garesk dhe2 jasya an 2 Gernowyon
yn-mes a’n 2 ger?
2) Prag yth o an 2 Gernowyon “tus2 voghosek”?
3) Prag y5 tannvonas Tewdar an 2 Gernowyon dhe Lannstefan?
4) Fatell2 wodhya Tewdar yn kever an managhti yn Lannstefan?
5) A2 ylli Tewdar kavoes y2 das ha’y2 vamm?
6) Piw a2 dherivis orth Tewdar yn kever y2 das ha’y2 vamm?
7) Pyth a hwarva dhedha?
8) Fatell2 wrug y2 das “klywes molleth an Penn”?
9) Piw a2 veu hembrenkyas nowydh an 2 Gernowyon?
10) Prag y5 hwrug Tewdar gortos?
K.D.L. Dyskans onan ha dewgens Folenn.2
Gramasek
The verb “godhvos” = “to know.” In part this verb is a compound of “bos.” The verb
“godhvos” means to know facts, as compared with “aswonn” which we met in lesson 29, and
which means to know a person or a place. Like “bos”, “godhvos” has a separate future tense.
(see dysk 28 & 33)
Present Past (Preterite) Tense

gonn = I know/shall know godhvev = I knew
godhes = You know/will know godhves = You knew
goer = He knows/will know godhva = He etc. knew
godhon = We know/shall know godhven = We knew
godhowgh = You know/will know godhvewgh = You knew
godhons = They know/will know godhvons = They knew
godhyen = I used to know/knew godhvien = I had known etc

godhyes = You used to know etc. godhvies = You had known etc.
godhya = He used to know etc. godhvia = He had known etc.
godhyen = We used to know etc. godhvien = We had known etc.
godhyewgh = You used to know etc. godhviewgh = You had known etc.
godhyens = They used to know godhviens = They had known etc.
godhviv (See grammar section mar 4 kodhven = if I knew/had known

godhvi for use of present mar kodhves = if you knew etc.
godhvo subjunctive) mar kodhve = if he knew etc.
godhvyn mar kodhven = if we knew etc.
godhvowgh mar kodhvewgh = if you knew etc.
godhvons mar kodhvens = if they knew etc.
Future Tense Imperative

godhvydhav = I shall know
godhvydhydh = You will know godhvydh = know!
godhvydh = He will know godhvydhes = let him/her know!
godbvydhyn = We shall know godhvydhyn = let us know!
godhvydhowgh = You will know godhvydhewgh = know!
godhvydhons = They will know godhvydhens = let them know!
Past Participle. godhvedhys = known (e.g. godhvedhys yw = it is known)
Exercise 1. Translate the following into Cornish using verbal sentences where possible.
1) I know. 8) You would know. 15) We had known.

2) We used to know. 9) Tewdar knew. 16) I shall know.
3) She knew. 10) Let them know. 17) They used to know.
4) If I knew. 11) It is known. 18) If you knew.
5) He will know. 12) We shall know. 19) We know.
6) They had known. 13) She has known. 20) Do you know?
7) I have known. 14) He knows.
K.D.L. Dyskans onan ha dewgens F.3
Present subjunctive with conjunctions. The present subjunctive is used after conjunctions such
as “pan 2,” “erna2,” “and “kettell2,” to show an indefinite future action, i.e. an event which
may, or may not take place:
e.g. My a2 vynn gortos erna2 dheffo an 2 dus erell = I shall wait until the other people
come.
(It is not certain that they will come! “Deffo” is the 3rd. sing. pres. subj. of “dos” and was
given in dysk. 37.)
Mos a2 wrav pan 2 dheffons. = I shall go when they come.
Pan 2 wodhviv an gorthyp, lowen vydhav. = When I know the answer, I shall be
happy.
Mos dhe2 -ves a2 wrons kettell2 dhyffiv. = They will go away as soon as I come.
1) We shall speak Cornish when we know it.

2) I shall stay until you come.
3) Tewdar will wait until Aethelflaed comes.
4) They will study Cornish until they know it well.
5) We shall go as soon as they come.
6) You will be happy when you know the language.
7) Wait until I come.
8) When you know the words you will sing better.
9) As soon as they come we can start work.
10) When we know why the king drove the Cornish away, we shall understand the story.
Verb-Noun as the Object of a Verb. A number of verbs can take a verb-noun as an object:
e.g. Athelstan ny2 vynnas marnas chasya an2 Vrythonyon yn-mes a’n2 ger.
Athelstan only wanted to drive the Britons out of the city.
Tewdar a assayas sawya y2 das. = Tewdar tried to save his father.
Notice that in this kind of sentence the English particle “to” is not translated into Cornish.
Exercise 3. Translate the following sentences into Cornish.
1) The Cornish tried to cross the river.

2) They wanted to escape.
3) We hope to see you.
4) She likes to help people.
5) He is trying to speak Cornish.
6) Tewdar decided to wait.
7) I expect to see you.
8) We would like to go.
9) The bishop tried to help the Cornish.
10) They began to leave the city.
(to escape = diank; to expect = gwaytya.)
K.D.L. Dyskans onan ha dewgens F.4
“Rag” and “dhe2” with verb-noun to express Purpose. (Take care to distinguish this
construction from the previous one in which purpose is not shown.)
e.g. An souder a2 dhrehevis y2 gledha rag gweskel y2 das. =

The soldier raised his sword to strike his father.
An Sowson eth dhe leski chiow an 2 Gernowyon. =

The English went to burn the houses of the Cornish.
Ni a2 dheuth dhe2 weles an myghtern. = We came to see the king.
In the last two examples, and in similar sentences using “come” and “go” in English, it is
possible to translate as:
e.g. “The English went and burned the houses of the Cornish.”
but the construction in Cornish is still the same, i.e. verb + dhe2 + verb-noun.
Exercise 4. If purpose is shown, it is usually possible to insert “in order” before the “to” in the
English sentence. Translate the following into Cornish, with or without “rag” or “dhe2,”
bearing this in mind.
1) We study to learn Cornish.

2) We want to learn Cornish.
3) The king decided to drive the Cornish out of Exeter.
4) The bishop tried to soothe him.
5) Tewdar ran away to escape.
6) Athelstan came to Exeter to give a bone of St. Chad to the monastery.
7) Tewdar’s father went and opened the door.
8) The soldier tried to kill him.
9) We learn Cornish to save the language.
10) He opened the door to see who was there.
Mar2/Maga5.....avel/dell2 = as.....as.
e.g. Tewdar ny2 wrussa mos mar 2 bell avel an Avon Tamer. =
Tewdar had not been as far as the River Tamar.
Mos a2 wra mar skon dell2 dheffons. =

He will go as quickly as they come.
“Avel” is used followed by a noun as in the first example, and “dell2” is used when followed
by a verb, as in the second.
“Avel” combines with pronouns as follows;
avelov = as me avelon = as us
avelos = as you avelowgh = as you
avello = as him avella = as them
avelli = as her
Both “mar2” and “maga5” are used for the first “as,” though perhaps “mar 2” is commoner.
“Maga5” is used particularly in the phrase “maga5 ta” which can mean “as well” or “also” as
in English.
K.D.L. Dyskans onan ha dewgens folenn 5
1) They went as far as the river.

2) It is as easy as Cornish.
3) The box was as big as a man’s head.
4) Coffee should be (a2 dal bos) as black as the devil (an jowl),
as hot as hell, and as sweet as love.
5) Tewdar is not as old as you are.
6) The Cornish are not as poor as you think.
7) Work as long as you like.
8) They walked as far as they could.
9) The Reeve was as sad as the Bishop.
10) Aethelflaed was sad as well.
KERNEWEK DRE LYTHER
Dyskans dew ha dewgens Nessa dyskans ha
dewgens
(Summary of “galloes.” Subjunctive with superlatives. Verb-Noun as subject of

sentence.)
Troha Lannstefan
An2 Gernowyon a2 gerdhas dres an jydh. Re anedha ny2 ylli pesya. Res o aga
gasa dhe2 bowes po dhe2 verwel. An 2 dus oll o pur2 gemmyskys. Nyns esa marnas
Tewdar a2 gonvedhsa an droglamm a2 goedhsa warnedha. Y5 fia ragown ganso hag ev
a’y2 worwedh difun war y 2 weli. Sur ova drogober y2 das ow4 tannvon an Penn dhe2 -
ves dhe2 wul droglamm moy es mernans mamm Aethelflaed. Bran y honan re rosa
dhodho gwarnyans yn gwersyow a2 via kewsys gans y 2 das-gwynn.
Ytho, Tewdar eth ha bos hembrenkyas an fowesigyon dhidre. Leverel dhe2
bub den a2 wrug bos res mos war-tu ha Lannstefan. Ena an2 venegh 2 dha a2 wre aga
gweres ow kavoes trevow.
Ha’n howl ow sedhi, drehedhes treveglos2 vras lowr a2 wrussons. Yth esa
govenek dhedha i dhe2 alloes gortos dres an nos yn chiow an2 dre, mes tus a2 dheuth er
aga3 fynn gans lorghow ha keun. Wor’tiwedh an2 Gernowyon a2 wrug gortos yn koes
rag spena an nos gwella gallens. Aga studh anfeusik a2 dhros arta dhe2 vrys Tewdar
nerth molleth an Penn. Apert ova dhodho. An fowesigyon2 voghosek ny2 wrens nevra
drehedhes Lannstefan ha’n Penn hwath yn-dann an kala gweli y’n krowji yn Karesk.
Res porres o dhodho dehweles dhe2 Garesk rag y2 gavoes. Mes fatell2 ylli gasa an 2
bobel? Nyns esa hembrenkyas dhedha. Nyns esa fordh dhe styrya dhedha prag y5
fynna mos arta dhe2 Garesk. Kristonyon o an2 dus ma. Ny yllens konvedhes travydh
a’n molleth an Penn..
Gerva
ragown = presentiment lorgh (p) lorghow = staff
difun = awake gwella gallens = as best
drogober = evil deed they could
ytho = so studh (p) studhyow = state
mos ha bos = to become a2 dhros = brought
fowesik (p) fowesigyon = refugee (dri = to bring)
didre = homeless apert = obvious
treveglos, (f) = (large) village styrya = to explain
(p) trevow eglos fordh (f) (p) fordhow = way
govenek = hope
Govynnadow
1) Prag na2 ylli an 2 dus oll pesya war an fordh dhe Lannstefan?
2) Yw tas Tewdar dhe2 gabla rag mernans mamm Aethelflaed?
3) Fatell2 wrug Bran ri gwarnyans?
4) Py eur y 5 trehedhons i an 2 dreveglos?
5) Pandr’a2 wrug an 2 dus a’n2 dreveglos?
6) Ple 5 hwrug an 2 Gernowyon spena an nos?
7) Prag na2 wre an 2 Gernowyon drehedhes Lannstefan?
8) Prag na2 vynna Tewdar gasa an 2 bobel?
K.D.L. Dyskans dew ha dewgens folenn 2.
9) Prag na2 ylli styrya dhedha prag y 5 fynna dehweles dhe2 Garesk?
10) Pandr’a2 wrussta jy gul yn y le?
Gramasek
The verb “galloes” = “to be able.” “Can” and “could” supply most of the tenses of
this verb in English, but sometimes longer forms, using the verb “to be” and “able”
have to be used:
e.g. “I am able” = “I can.” but “I shall be able” has no short form.
Present/Future Tense Present Subjunctive Tense

gallav = I can/shall be able pan2 ylliv = when I can
gyllydh= You can etc. pan ylli = when you can
gyll = He/She/It can etc. pan allo = when he can
gyllyn = We can etc. pan yllyn = when we can
gyllowgh = You can etc. pan yllowgh = when you can
gyllons = They can etc. pan allons = when they can
Past (Preterite) Tense Pluperfect/Conditional Tense

gyllis = I could gallsen = I had been/would be able
gyllsys = You could gallses = You..... ditto
gallas = He/She/It could gallsa = He/She/It..... ditto
gyllsyn = We could gallsen = We......... ditto
gyllsowgh = You could. gallsewgh = You..... ditto
gallsons = They could gallsens = They..... ditto
Imperfect Tense. Imperfect Subjunctive Tense.

gyllyn = I could/used to be able mar4 kallen = if I could/had been able
gyllys = You could etc mar kalles = if you could etc.
gylli = He/She/It could etc. mar kalla = if he/she/it could etc.
gyllyn = We could etc. . mar kallen = if we could etc.
gyllewgh = You could etc. mar kallewgh = if you could etc.
gyllens = They could etc. mar kallens = if they could etc.
This verb does not have an imperative or present participle.
Exercise 1. Translate the following into Cornish using the verb “galloes. “
1) I can. 11) We were able.

2) They cannot. 12) You could.
3) He could. 13) If they had been able.
4) We would be able. 14) She could.
5) If I could. 15) They could.
6) When we can. 16) When they can.
7) They will be able. 17) I shall be able.
K.D.L. Dyskans dew ha dewgens folenn 3
8) She had not been able. 18) You can.

9) You would not be able. 19) She cannot.
10) I could. 20) If you could.
Subjunctive with a superlative. Clauses such as:
“the best I can,” or, “as well as I can.”
are expressed by a superlative adjective used as an adverb, and the verb is in the
subjunctive. (See dyskans 29 for superlative adjectives.)
e.g. Gwella gylliv = The best I can, or, As well as I can

Skaffa gylli = As fast as you can
Skonna galla = As soon as he could
The “an” which usually precedes a superlative is omitted, and the verb has no particle
and so is not mutated. In a clause such as “The best story (that) I know,” the
superlative adjective comes first (see dyskans 29) and the verb is in the subjunctive
with relative particle a2.
e.g. An ughella menydh a2 wylliv = The highest hill I see
An gwetha ober a2 vo = The worst job there is
1) The prettiest girl I see.

2) As fast as I can.
3) The longest story there is.
4) As well as they could.
5) As fast as you can.
6) As quick as he could.
7) As near as you can.
8) As far as you see.
9) As well as he could.
10) The biggest man we see.
The Verb-Noun as the Subject of a sentence. In English, the verb form ending in “-
ing” is often used as a verb-noun, and as such can be the subject of a sentence:
e.g. “Learning Cornish is fun.” “Smoking is bad.”
In Cornish the normal verb-noun is used, but the complement often comes first.
e.g. “Gwari yw dyski Kernewek.” “Drog yw megi.”
A similar situation arises in sentences starting with “Res yw,” “Drog yw,” etc. The
verb-noun which follows these phrases is the subject of the sentence:
K.D.L. Dyskans dew ha dewgens Folenn 4
e.g. Da yw genev dha2 weles = To see you is good with me.

= I am pleased to see you.
Note that the English particle “to” is omitted in Cornish.

It is important to distinguish this kind of sentence from one like:
Pes da ov dhe ‘th 5 weles.
Although it means virtually the same thing, here the verb-noun “gweles” is not the
subject of the sentence. This can be tested by trying to put it first in the English
translation. Doing so will not make much sense! In fact, it depends on “pes da” - “I
am pleased to see you.” For this reason “dhe2” comes before the verb-noun. Use this
transposition test to help you do the following exercise.
1) We are pleased to learn Cornish.

2) It is a good thing to learn Cornish.
3) Learning Cornish will save the language.
4) Tewdar was angry to see the house burning.
5) It was bad to attack the Cornish.
6) The king was bad to attack the Cornish.
7) It was sad to see the poor people leaving Exeter.
8) The king was glad to see them going.
9) The Cornish will be glad to reach Launceston.
10) It will be difficult to find houses for them.
KERNEWEK DRE LYTHER
Dyskans tri ha dewgens Tressa dyskans ha dewgens
(Summary of “Leverel.” Subjunctive with “may5” showing purpose.)
Tan.
Arta, yth esa Tewdar a’y 2 worwedh difun, war an dor yeyn ha glyb. Wor’tiwedh, y5
teuth dhodho tybyans. Ternos, derivas a2 wre orth an 2 bobel ev dhe fistena y honan dhe
Lannstefan. Ev a2 wre derivas orth an 2 venegh 2 dha yn kever tebel studh an 2 Gernowyon, ha
pareusi gweres dhedha a2 yllens. Tewdar a2 wre kavoes dew 2 dhen po tri rag hembronkya an
bagas dhe Lannstefan. Hemma ervirys, Tewdar a2 goskas.
Tybyans da a hevelis dhe’n 2 bobel, Tewdar dhe2 vos kyns dhe Lannstefan rag pareusi
an managhti.
Tewdar a2 asas an 2 Gernowyon rag mos war-tu ha Lannstefan mes skonna galla,
treylya yn kylgh a2 wrug rag dehweles dhe2 Garesk.
Aethelflaed a2 dhifunas yn hy chambour y’n merji. Moredhek o hi drefenn mernans

hy mamm ha drefenn hy3 thas dh’y gwitha pup-prys hy honan, heb kerens na kowetha. Rag
hemma hy lowena pan 2 welas Tewdar. Troblys o hi rag na2 wodhya p’eur hwre hi y2 weles
arta. Ervirys o gensi mos dhe’n aswa an keth eur, an keth nos an seythun a2 dho. Martesen
Tewdar a2 wre dos ynwedh.
A-dhesempis hi a2 glywas mog. Tan o peryll heb hedhi yn trev a2 jiow gwrys gans
prenn ha kala. Aethelflaed a sevis rag kavoes hy3 thas.
“Eus tan?” a2 wovynnas.
Marth ha trobel bras yth esa gans an mer drefenn gwrians tromm an myghtern. Ev a2
gara tas Tewdar ha meur a’n 2 Gernowyon. Ny2 wodhya fatell2 ylli gorthybi. Ny2 ylli leverel
an gwir dhe Aethelflaed heb hokya. Wor’tiwedh yn-medh ev,
“Eus, war-tu ha’n kwartron kernewek, dell hevel. Nyns yw an 2 dus na war lowr yn
kever tan.”
Gerva
ternos = the next day klywes = to smell
fistena = to hurry peryll = danger
tebel studh = evil state gwrys = made
pareusi = to prepare (past part. of “gul” = “to make”)
gweres = to help prenn = timber
kylgh (p) kylghyow = circle kala = straw
moredhek = melancholy trobel = worry
lowena = joy gwrians = action
hokya = to hesitate tromm = sudden
war lowr = careful enough tybi = to think
(Besides meaning “to hear”, “klywes” means “to perceive with the other senses,” so here
equals “to smell.”)
Govynnadow
1) Prag yth esa Tewdar a’y2 worwedh difun?

2) Pyth o tybyans Tewdar?
3) Pandr’a2 wrug wosa gasa an 2 Gernowyon?
4) Prag yth o Aethelflaed moredhek?
5) Pandr’a2 wrug Aethelflaed ervira?
6) Prag yth o tan peryll bras yn Karesk?
K.D.L. Dyskans tri ha dewgens folenn 2
7) Pandr’a2 wrug an mer tybi yn kever gwrians an myghtern?

8) A2 ylli ev gorthybi Aethelflaed yn es?
9) Fatell2 worthybis ev?
10) A2 dherivis ev an gwir orth Aethelflaed?
Gramasek
The verb “leverel” “to say.” This is a guide for a number of verbs ending in “-el.”

lavarav = I say/shall say pan leverriv = when I say
leverydh = You say/will say pan leverri = when you say
lever = He says/will say pan lavarro = when he says
leveryn = We say/shall say pan leverryn = when we say
leverowgh = You say/will say pan leverrowgh = when you say
leverons = They say/will say pan lavarrons = when they say

leveris = I said lavarsen = I had said/would say
leversys = You said lavarses = You had
said/would say
leveris = He said lavarsa = He had said/would say
leversyn = We said lavarsen = We had said/would say
leversowgh = You said lavarsewgh = You had said/would say
lavarsons = They said lavarsens = They had said/would say
Imperfect Tense Imperfect Subjunctive Tense

leveryn = I used to say mar lavarren = if I said/had said
leverys = You used to say mar lavarres = if you said/had said
leveri = He used to say mar lavarra = if he said/had said
leveryn = We used to say mar lavarren = if we said/had said
leverewgh = You used to say mar lavarrewgh = if you said/had said
leverens = They used to say mar lavarrens = if they said/had said
Imperative Past Participle

lavar = say leverys = said
leveres = let him/her say (leverys veu = it was said)
leveryn = let us say
leverewgh = say
leverens = let them say
Exercise 1. Translate into Cornish using verbal sentences.
1) We say. 11) I do not say.

2) He said. 12) They would say.
3) They used to say. 13) I have said.
4) I shall say. 14) She will say.
5) She would say. 15) I said.
6) If they said. 16) You would say.
7) When I say. 17) If he had said.
8) Say! 18) When they say.
9) You will say. 19) They say.
K.D.L. Dyskans tri ha dewgens folenn 3
10) He had said. 20) He did not say.
Subjunctive with “may5” to show purpose. The most obvious way of showing purpose is to
use “dhe2” or “rag” with a verb noun (Dysk. 29) and this corresponds closely to the English
way. However, this is not possible if the purpose is a negative one or if two subjects are
involved, one for the main verb and one for the purpose. In such cases “may5” + subjunctive
is used:
e.g. Tewdar a2 dhehwelas dhe2 Garesk ma na2 wrella kelli an Penn. =

Tewdar returned to Exeter so that he would not lose the Head.
Tewdar eth dhe Lannstefan may hwrella an venegh gweres an 2 Gernowyon. =
Tewdar went to Launceston so that the monks would help the Cornish.
The verb indicating the purpose, and following “may5” is imperfect subjunctive if the main
verb is in past tense, and present subjunctive if the main verb is present/future tense.
1) The king drove the Cornish out of Exeter so that there would not be any pagans there.
2) He brought the Holy Relic so that there would be peace and love.
3) Tewdar went towards Launceston so that the Cornish would not know he was going to
Exeter.
4) He slept so that he would not be tired in the morning.
5) We learn Cornish so that the language may succeed.
KERNEWEK DRE LYTHER
Dyskans peswar ha dewgens Peswara dyskans ha dewgens
(Summary of “previ.” Subjunctive with Indefinite Subject. “Lying, Sitting, Standing.”)
Droglamm
“An kwartron kernewek!” a2 armas Aethelflaed. Poenya yn-mes a’n chi a2 wrug kyns
hy thas dhe2 alloes hy lettya. Hi a2 gavas bush bras ogas dhe’n kwartron kernewek. Yth esa
3
Sowson ow hwilas aga3 herens ha’ga hentrevogyon2 gernewek. Oela a2 wre meur anedha.
Euthek o an gwel a-dheragdha. Diswrys yn 5 tien o re a’n chiow. Yth esa meur anedha ow
leski hwath. Yth esa nebes korfow a’ga gorwedh war an dor. Aethelflaed a hwilas tyller chi
Tewdar. Nyns esa saw kals prenn ow megi.
Sorr ha kas erbynn myghtern an Sowson ha’y soudoryon a lenwis kolonn Aethelflaed.
Lies den re lavarsa dhedhi an myghtern dhe2 jasya an 2 Gernowyon yn-mes a2 Garesk ha dres
an avon Tamer, mes ny2 wodhya prag y5 hwrussa yndella.
Ha hi a’y sav ena, y5 teuth dh’y brys kov an gorthugher y’n aswa nans o nebes
dydhyow pan 2 wrussa Tewdar leverel dhedhi hwedhel an Penn. Sowses ha Kristones kynth o
hi, ha kyn na2 wodhya travydh yn kever an henhwedhlow keltek ha’n kryjyansow a’n 2
dhrewydhyon, yth esa gans Aethelflaed own byw a2 vollothow. Nyns esa denvydh na2 bortha
own a2 vollothow. Tewdar re lavarsa dhedhi an molleth dhe2 goedha drefenn y2 das dhe2
dhannvon an Penn yn-mes a’n chi. Lemmyn ny2 ylli dehweles an Penn dhe’n chi rag bos an
chi diswrys. Y’n pols na, Aethelflaed a2 wodhva pandra dhe2 wul. Res o porres kavoes an
Penn, sywya an 2 Gernowyon war-tu ha Lannstefan, kavoes Tewdar, ha ri an Penn dhodho.
Martesen Tewdar re bia ledhys. Ny2 vern; rag kerensa Tewdar, doen an Penn dhe’n 2
Gernowyon a2 wre. Kerensa? Ha mamm Aethelflaed marow yth esa edhomm bras dhedhi a
nebonan dhe2 gara ha bos kerys ganso. Piw gwell es Tewdar, kar hy flogholeth? Gwynn hy
bys lemmyn mar 4 pe Tewdar hwath yn 5 fyw ha mar 4 kalla hi y2 gavoes!
Gerva
oela = to weep Kristones = Christian (f.)
gwel = sight henhwedhel
diswrys = destroyed (p) henhwedhlow = legend
sorr = anger byw = lively, active
kas = hatred na2 bortha own = who was not afraid
lenwel = to fill y’n pols na = at that moment
a’y sav = standing ny2 vern = it doesn’t matter
Sowses = English woman doen = to carry
edhomm = need
flogholeth = childhood
Govynnadow
1) Prag y5 harmas Aethelflaed, “An kwartron kernewek!”?

2) Fatell eth Aethelflaed yn-mes a’n chi?
3) Pleth eth hi?
4) Prag yth esa an Sowson owth oela?
5) Esa chi Tewdar a’y sav?
6) Pandr’a2 wrug Aethelflaed tybi yn kever an myghtern?
7) Prag y5 hwrussa an myghtern chasya an 2 Gernowyon yn-mes a’n 2 ger?
8) Pandr’a2 wrug Aethelflaed?
9) Prag y kavas hi an Penn?
10) Prag y kara Aethelflaed Tewdar?
K.D.L. Dyskans peswar ha dewgens folenn 2
Gramasek
The verb “previ” = “to prove.” This is a guide verb for a number of verbs ending in “-i.”
provav = I prove/shall prove pan 2 breffiv = when I prove

prevydh = You prove etc. pan breffi = when you prove
prev = He/She/It proves etc pan broffo = when he proves
prevyn = We prove etc. pan breffyn = when we prove
prevowgh = You prove etc. pan breffowgh = when you prove
prevons = They prove etc. pan broffons = when they prove

previs = I proved provsen = I had proved/would prove
prevsys = You proved provses = You had proved etc.
provas = He etc. proved provsa = He had proved etc.
prevsyn = We proved provsen = We had proved etc.
prevsowgh = You proved provsewgh = You had proved etc.
provsons = They proved provsens = They had proved etc.
Imperfect Tense Imperfect Subjunctive Tense

prevyn = I used to prove mar proffen = if I proved/had proved
prevys = You used to prove mar proffes = if you proved etc.
previ = He used to prove mar proffa = if he proved etc.
prevyn = We used to prove mar proffen = if we proved etc.
prevewgh = You used to prove mar proffewgh = if you proved etc.
prevens = They used to prove. mar proffens = if they proved etc.

prov = prove. prevys.
preves = let him/her prove. (prevys yw = it is proved.)
prevyn = let us prove.
prevewgh = prove.
prevens = let them prove.
Exercise 1. Translate the following into Cornish, using verbal sentences.

1) We prove. 11) We had proved.
2) He proved. 12) They would prove.
3) You will prove. 13) He used to prove.
4) I used to prove. 14) She will prove.
5) When they prove. 15) It would prove.
6) Let us prove. 16) He will not prove.
7) She did not prove. 17) They have proved.
8) If he proved. 18) They had proved.
9) You prove. 19) We shall prove.
10) If we proved. 20) It was proved.
K.D.L. Dyskans peswar ha dewgens folenn 3
Subjunctive with an indefinite subject. When a clause follows a relative pronoun (dysk. 31)
which refers to a negative, indefinite or unspecified subject, the verb in the clause is
subjunctive:
e.g. Nyns esa denvydh a2 wodhve pleth esa an Penn. =

There was no-one who knew where the Head was.
My a2 vynn kavoes den a2 ello dhe2 Gernow. =

I want to find a man who is going to Cornwall.
Eus nebonan na2 vynno dyski Kernewek? =

Is there anyone who does not want to learn Cornish?
(“na2” is used instead of the “a 2” explained in dysk. 31 when the verb is negative, and so is
equivalent to “who.....not”)
1) I am looking for someone who will help me (= “to help me”)

2) There is no-one who can go.
3) Where is there a man who will come with me?
4) We want to find a school that teaches Cornish.
5) Is there a train which comes before two o’clock?
Lying, sitting and standing. These English present participles are not usually expressed with
“ow4” and the verb noun (dysk 11), but with the corresponding nouns “gorwedh”, “esedh”,
and “sav” preceded by “a” and a possessive which shows the person referred to:
e.g. Yth esa nebes korfow a’ga gorwedh war an dor. =

There were some bodies lying on the ground.
Ha hi a’y sav ena, y5 teuth dh’y brys kov an gorthugher y’n aswa.. =
As she was standing there, there came to her mind the memory of the evening in the
opening.
My a2 wortas a’m esedh war an skavell. =

I waited, sitting on the stool.
See Notennow Kernewek for comments about this construction.
1) Tewdar’s father was lying on the ground.

2) We were sitting on the ground.
3) Tewdar was standing, waiting for the other Cornish people.
4) I was lying in bed when I heard a noise.
5) The king, sitting next to the abbot, was very angry.
N.B. Long forms of “bos” are used with these expressions.
Skrif
Ty yw Aethelflaed a’th sav a-dherag an chiow ow leski a’n 2 Gernowyon. Mes ervira
gul neppyth ken a2 wreta. Pandr’a2 wreta?
(ken = different)
KERNEWEK DRE LYTHER
Dyskans pymp ha dewgens Pympes dyskans ha dewgens
Revision.
1) We knew that the king would drive out the Cornish when he came to Exeter.
2) The people will wait until a new leader comes.
3) As soon as he comes, they will walk to Cornwall.
4) Tewdar wanted to wait until all the people came.
5) The soldier was as brave (hardh) as Tewdar.
6) I can go to Cornwall when I get a new car.
7) Go as soon as you can. (See dysk. 34)
8) The Cornish must leave Exeter.
9) They will be glad to reach Launceston.
10) Learning Cornish is not difficult.
11) If he said that the king would be angry.
12) He said it so that the king would drive out the Cornish.
13) Aethelflaed followed the Cornish so that the curse of the Head
would not fall upon them.
14) We shall tell (use “leverel dhe2”) the people so that they
can escape. (diank)
15) Aethelflaed hurried so that her father could not stop her.
16) We shall prove that Cornish is alive.
17) I cannot find anyone who knows what was in the box.
18) Aethelflaed was lying awake.
19) The soldier was standing in front of the door.
20) The king was sitting with the bishop and the abbot.
Dyskans hwegh ha dewgens. Hweghves dyskans ha dewgens.
(Summary of “doen.” Dual parts of the body. “Na2” with negative relative clauses.)
Aethelflaed a2 gyv an Penn.
An2 vowes a2 wodhya bos an Penn yn krowji ogas dhe fos an 2 ger. Martesen an
krowji re bia leskys. Hi a2 boenyas dres stret ynter an chiow sowsnek ha terroes an chiow
kernewek troha’n fos. Orth penn an stret yth esa krowji. Igor o an daras. Aethelflaed eth a-
ji. Nyns esa denvydh, mes hi a2 welas kals gwel kala. Ow lemmel hy3 holonn, hi a2 dhrehevis
rann2 vras an kala ha diskudha kyst2 bedrek na2 alla igeri. Ownek o hi dh’y3 hemmeres.
Omsoena a2 wrug ha kemmeres an 2 gyst yn hy diwla. Hi re2 waytsa poester meur, mes
drehevel an 2 gyst heb kaletter a2 ylli.
Ny2 vynna dehweles tre rag own na2 alla mos arta yn-mes mara’s gwella hy3 thas.
Ytho, Aethelflaed eth yn-mes a’n 2 ger der an keth bolgh y’n fos may5 hwrussa Tewdar
mos nebes ouryow kyns, ow4 toen an 2 gyst yn hy diwla. Nebonan re lavarsa dhe Aethelflaed
an2 Gernowyon dhe sywya an fordh war-tu ha Lannstefan yn Kernow. Hi re2 wrussa mos dhe
Lannstefan kyns gans hy3 thas, ha godhvos y2 vos pell lowr. Kyns, hi eth war 2 balfray, mes
lemmyn war hy dewdroes. Kyns pell, hi eth erbynn re a’n 2 dus na2 ylli pesya war an fordh.
Yth esa benyn gans baban byghan orth an 2 vronn. Aethelflaed a2 dhug an baban ha’n 2 gyst
mildir po dew, mes klav o an 2 vamm ha pur lent, kynth esa Aethelflaed ow4 toen an flogh.
Wor’tiwedh res o dhe Aethelflaed hy gasa hy honan. Yth esa den koth ow kerdhes pur lent a2
dherivis orth Aethelflaed bos Tewdar yn 5 fyw, mes marow y2 das ha’y2 vamm. Yth esa
lowena yn kolonn Aethelflaed ha hi a2 asas an den koth dhe2 gerdhes gwella galla. Pan sedhas
an howl ha’n tewlder ow koedha, Aethelflaed a2 gavas krowji ryb an fordh hag ynno kals a2
gala glan lowr. Hi a2 worras hy3 hapa war an kala. Attes o hi kepar dell esa yn hy chambour
y’n merji.
Gerva.
terroes = ruin(s) palfray = palfrey.
igor = open. dewdroes = feet.
gwel kala = straw. na2 ylli = who could not.
lemmel = to beat. mildir (p) mildiryow = mile.
gwaytya = to expect. kapa (f) (p) kapys = cape.
poester = weight. pedrek = square.
drehevel = to raise. der (usually = through.
followed by vowel)
Govynnadow.
1) O leskys an krowji hag ynno an Penn?

2) Pleth esa an krowji?
3) Prag yth esa kolonn Aethelflaed ow lemmel?
4) Prag yth omsoenas Aethelflaed?
5) Esa meur a2 boester dhe’n 2 gyst?
6) Fatell aswonnis Aethelflaed an fordh dhe Lannstefan?
7) Fatell2 weresas Aethelflaed an 2 venyn gans an baban?
8) Piw a ros derivadow yn kever Tewdar dhe Aethelflaed? (derivadow = information)
9) Prag yth esa lowena yn kolonn Aethelflaed?
10) Ple koskas Aethelflaed?
K.D.L. Dyskans hwegh ha dewgens. folenn 2.
Gramasek.
The verb “doen” = “to carry.”
Present/Future Tense. Present Subjunctive Tense.
degav = I carry/shall carry. pan 2 dhykkiv = when I carry.
degedh = You carry/will carry. pan dhykki = when you carry.
deg = He/She/It carries etc. pan dhokko = when he carries.
degon = We carry/shall carry. pan dhykkyn = when we carry.
degowgh = You carry/will carry. pan dhykkowgh = when you carry.
degons = They carry/will carry. pan dhokkons = when they carry.
Past (Preterite) Tense. Pluperfect/Conditional Tense.

dug = I carried. degsen = I had carried/would carry
duges = You carried. degses = You had carried etc.
dug = He/She/It carried. degsa = He had carried etc.
dugon = We carried. degsen = We had carried etc.
dugowgh = You carried. degsewgh = You had carried etc.
dugons = They carried. degsens = They had carried etc.

degyn = I used to carry. mar 4 tekken = if I carried/had c.
degys = You used to carry. mar tekkes = if you carried etc.
degi = He used to carry. mar tekka = if he carried etc.
degyn = We used to carry. mar tekken = if we carried etc.
degewgh = You used to carry. mar tekkewgh = if you carried etc.
degens = They used to carry. mar tekkens = if they carried etc.

dog = carry! degys
deges = let him/her carry! (degys yns = they are carried.)
degyn = let us carry!
degewgh = carry!
degens = let them carry!
Exercise 1. Translate the following in Cornish using verbal sentences.

1) I shall carry. 11) You will carry.
2) He carries. 12) We are carrying.
3) He used to carry. 13) They used to carry.
4) If he carried.. 14) She had carried.
5) They were carried. 15) If you carried..
6) Until you carry. 16) Until they carry.
7) Carry! 17) You used to carry.
8) I had carried. 18) You carried.
9) She would carry. 19) She used to carry.
10) He carried. 20) They carry.
K.D.L. Dyskans hwegh ha dewgens. folenn 3.
Parts of the body. You will have realised that many parts of the body come in pairs, and that
Cornish makes this fact clear:
e.g. diwla = (two) hands.
Here is a fairly complete list:
diwskovarn = ears. diwvronn = breasts. diwvogh = cheeks.
dewlagas = eyes. diwglun = hips. diwwen =
heels.
dewfrik = nostrils. diwgell = testicles.
diwweus = lips. diwvordhos = thighs.
diwskoedh = shoulders diwbedrenn = buttocks
diwvregh = arms. dewlin = knees.
diwla = hands. diwarr = legs.
dewelin = elbows. dewufern = ankles.
dewgonna bregh = wrists. dewdroes = feet.
Exercise 2. Look through the course and find ten sentences using one of these words, or make
up examples of your own.
“Na2” with negative relative clauses.

Hi a2 dhiskudhas kyst2 bedrek na2 alla igeri = She discovered a square box which she could
not open.
We noticed in dysk. 44 that “na2” is used as a relative pronoun (= who, which, that) when the
verb following is negative. Here are more examples:
e.g. An venyn na2 ylli fistena a2 dhegi baban. =
The woman who could not hurry was carrying a baby.
Aethelflaed a2 dhrehevis an 2 gyst nag o poes =

Aethelflaed picked up the box which was not heavy.
Notice that in these two examples the subject of the “na2” clause is definite, so the verb is
indicative, not subjunctive.
In the following exercise, use the subjunctive if the subject is indefinite, as shown in dysk. 44,
and the normal indicative if the subject is definite, as shown above. If you do not know the
correct form of the verb you need, use “gul” with the verb-noun. (See dysk 32.) The verb
“gul” is given in full in dysk 32.

1) That is a book which I have not read.
2) I want to read a story that will not bore me. (to bore = skwitha)
3) We are looking for the man who has not done his job.
4) Is there anyone (whom) you do not know?
5) That is the man I don’t want to see.
6) Truro is a town I have not seen.
7) I would like to see that paper which you are not reading.
8) Which (pyneyl) don’t you want?
9) There is nobody I don’t like.
10) I like a lesson that is not too difficult.
Skrif.
Skrif keskows (conversation) yntra dew 2 dhen a2 dhisput yn kever chiow hav yn Kernow.
(chiow hav = Holiday homes)
Dyskans seyth ha dewgens. Seythves dyskans ha dewgens.
(Summary of “kara.” “Dhe2.. . . . .. . .dhe2” with comparatives.)
Dasjunys
Koska yn 5 ta a2 wrug, hag ughel y’n ebrenn yth esa an howl pan 2 dhifunas hi. Yth esa
hi ow4 talleth hy3 herdh troha Lannstefan pan 2 welas den yowynk ow kerdhes troha Karesk.
Tewdar ova!
Own molleth an Penn, fydh yn Arwoedh an 2 Grows, nerth benyn ow kara re skoedhsa
enev ha korf Aethelflaed bys y’n pols na. Mes pan 2 welas Tewdar noeth y2 gorf bys y’n kres
drefenn toemmder an howl, hi a2 glywas krevder hy giow dhe skoellya dhe2-ves. Gans
kaletter poenya a2 wrug troha’y3 har ha tewlel hy diwvregh a-dro dh’y2 gonna. Tewdar a’s
dalghennas kyns hi dhe2 goedha ow klamdera. Ev a2 glywas diwla medhel Aethelflaed war y2
dhiwskoedh, ha’y dywvronn yowynk dres hy3 fows danow erbynn y2 gorf, kyns ev dhe2 dhoen
an2 vowes a-berth y’n krowji ha’y gorra war an kala. Kyns pell, yagh o hi arta, ha Tewdar a
ros dhedhi dhe2 dhybri hag eva. Dhe2 wir, ny2 wrussa hi dybri a-ban 2 wrussa gasa Karesk, hag
yth esa nown euthek gensi. Wor’tiwedh, hi a2 ylli klerhe dhodho fatell2 wrussa kavoes an 2
“gyst” ha’y dri dhiworth Karesk. Own a’s tevo a leverel an “Penn.” Tewdar a2 welas an 2 gyst,
lowena ha gras yn y2 golonn. Derivas orth Aethelflaed a2 wrug ev dhe2 dhehweles dhe2
Garesk rag kavoes an 2 gyst. Ena yn-medh ev,
“Gwynn ow bys, lemmyn, Aethelflaed. Ny2 allav godhvos dhis gras lowr a’th
kolonnekter ha’th kuvder orth agan sywya ha’n Penn genes jy. Lemmyn an molleth a2 wra
mos dhe2-ves.” Mes yn y2 golonn, godhvos a2 wrug bos Aethelflaed hy honan moy dhe les
dhodho es an Penn, feusik po anfeusik kyn 5 fe!
Gerva.
kerdh (p) kerdhow = walk. tanow = thin.

fydh (f) = faith. yagh = well (in health)
nerth = strength. klerhe = to explain.
skoedhya = to support. gras = gratitude.
drefenn = because of. gwynn ow bys = I am happy.
klywes = to feel. godhvos gras dhe2 = to be grateful to
krevder = strength. kolonnekter = bravery.
tewlel = to throw. kuvder = kindness.
klamdera = to faint. dhe les = important.
medhel = soft. dasjunys = reunited.
pows (f) (p) powsyow = dress. giowenn (f) (coll) giow = nerve,
dalghenna = to seize.
Govynnadow
1) Py eur y5 tifunas Aethelflaed?

2) P’eur5 hwelas hi Tewdar?
3) Pandr’a2 wrug Aethelflaed pan 2 welas Tewdar?
4) Fatell o Tewdar?
5) Fatell o an 2 gewer?
6) Prag y’s dalghennas Tewdar?
7) Prag y klamderas Aethelflaed?
8) Prag y’s tevo Aethelflaed own a leverel “An Penn.”?
9) Fatell omglywas Tewdar pan 2 welas an 2 gyst?
10) Pyneyl o moy dhe les dhe2 Dewdar, Aethelflaed po an Penn? (pyneyl = which)
K.D.L. Dyskans seyth ha dewgens. folenn 2.
Gramasek.
The verb “kara” = “to love/like.”
Present/Future Tense. Present Subjunctive Tense.
karav = I love/shall love. erna2 gyrriv = until I love.

kerydh = You love etc. erna gyrri = until you love.
kar = He/She/It loves etc. erna garro = until he loves.
keryn = We love etc. erna gyrryn = until we love.
kerowgh = You love etc. erna gyrrowgh = until you love.
karons = They love etc. erna garrons = until they love.
keris = I loved. karsen = I had loved/would love.

kersys = You loved. karses = You had loved etc.
karas = He/She/It loved. karsa = He had loved etc.
kersyn = We loved. karsen = We had loved etc.
kersowgh = You loved. karsewgh = You had loved etc.
karsons = They loved, karsens = They had loved etc
karen = I used to love. mar karren = if I loved/had loved

kares = You used to love. mar karres = if you loved etc.
kara = He used to love. mar karra = if he loved etc.
karen = We used to love. mar karren = if we loved etc.
karewgh = You used to love. mar karrewgh = if you loved etc.
karens They used to love. mar karrens = if they loved etc.
kar = love! kerys = loved.

kares = let him/her love! (kerys ova = he was loved)
keryn = let us love!
kerewgh = love!
karens = let them love!
Exercise 1. Translate the following into Cornish using verbal sentences.
1) We love. 8) If you loved. 15) They are loved.

2) He used to love. 9) Until I love. 16) When you love.
3) I have loved. 10) They loved. 17) We would love.
4) She would love. 11) So that you will love. 18) Let us love.
5) They will love. 12) If we loved. 19) I was loving.
6) He does not love. 13) I love. 20) We had loved.
7) You had loved. 14) She has loved.
K.D.L. Dyskans seyth ha dew ens. folenn 3.
“Dhe2........dhe2” with comparatives. “Dhe2” is placed before a comparative adjective (or

adjective used as adverb) in sentences such as the following:
e.g. Dhe esya an ober, dhe skaffa ni a’n gwra =

The easier the work, the quicker we do it.
Dhe2 voy galloesek an jynn, dhe skaffa yth a an karr-tan.

The more powerful the engine, the quicker the car goes.
(Wella Brown describes this as “parallel increase” in “A Grammar of Modern Cornish.”)
1) The slower you work, the longer the time which is necessary.
2) The bigger the cake, the more you get.
3) The more you talk, the more you learn.
4) The more we are together, the merrier we shall be.
5) The longer Tewdar watched, the worse the fires became.
Skrif.
Fatell2 yll Radyo Kernow gweres tus a2 vynno dyski Kernewek?

Dyskans eth ha dewgens. Ethves dyskans ha dewgens.
(Summary of “a’m beus.” “Ha” and prepositions with possessives. Suffixed pronouns.)
Gwydhvosenn ha Gwydhenn know.
“Gwynn ow bys ynwedh, a2 Dewdar,” yn-medh Aethelflaed. “Pan2 welis dha2 ji yn

Karesk oll distruys, ny2 wodhyen mars es byw po marow. Lemmyn my re’th kavas, hag yma
genen dha2 gyst ynwedh.” Yth esa neb dout hwath yn hy brys mars esa penn y’n gyst po nyns
esa, mes gwynn o bys Tewdar, hag Aethelflaed a’n karas. Y’n bys nyns esa moy a2 vern. Hi
a2 worras hy3 hapa war an kala hag yn-medh hi,
“Deus omma war an 2 gapa genev.” Gorwedha warbarth war an kala a2 wrussons,
diwvregh an eyl a-dro dh’y 2 gila, kepar ha’n 2 wydhvosenn ha’n 2 wydhenn know y’n hwedhel
Tristan.
Tewdar a ammas dhe Aethelflaed. Aga3 thressa amm ova.
Niver hudel yw tri. Yma tri3 Ferson y’n Drynses Sans. Yma teyr linenn yn gwers Tas-
gwynn Tewdar. An tressa amm o kepar hag ambos ynter an 2 dhew. Gortos ena a’ga gorwedh
a2 wrussons ha’n howl ow4 trehevel troha’n prykk ughella. Yth esa ammow moy ha
profyansow kerensa heb 2 worfenn, mar hweg o enev ha korf an eyl dh’y2 gila. Ankevys o an 2
gerens2 varow, mamm Aethelflaed, tas ha mamm Tewdar. Ankevys o an 2 Gernowyon war an
fordh dhe Lannstefan. Ankevys o gwersyow Tas-gwynn Tewdar ha molleth an Penn. Oll o
ankevys marnas aga3 herensa. Wor’tiwedh Aethelflaed a2 dhiskudhas hy3 thekter dhe2
Dewdar, mes godhvos a2 wrug ev nag o hwath an termyn ewn.
Gerva.
gwydhvosenn (f) = honeysuckle. profyans = offering.
gwydhenn know (f) = hazel tree. heb 2 worfenn = endless.
distruys = destroyed. (gorfenn = end)
(distrui = to destroy) kerens = parents.
An2 Drynses Sans = The Holy Trinity. (p1. of “kar” = near relative)
linenn (f) (p) linennow = line. diskudha = to reveal.
prykk ughella = highest point.
(“Heb” mutates “d” and “g” only in certain fixed expressions. Other examples are “heb
dhout” = “no doubt,” and “heb wow” = “without a lie.”
Govynnadow.
1) Prag yth o Aethelflaed gwynnvys? (gwynnvys = happy)

2) Pandr’a2 dybis (thought) Aethelflaed pan welas chi Tewdar distruys?
3) Mar4 pes jy Aethelflaed, a2 wrussesta krysi bos Penn Bran y’n 2 gyst?
4) Prag yth o Tewdar lowen?
5) Prag yth o an tressa amm dhe les dres eghenn?
K.D.L. Dyskans eth ha dewgens. folenn 2.
Gramasek.
The verb “a’m beus”: “have.” This verb has occurred several times in the course and we had
a quick look at the imperfect tense in Dyskans 28. It has no verb-noun form and “a’m beus”
is actually the first person singular of the present tense, meaning “I have.” It is the form used
when preceded by a subject or object, i.e. in a nominal sentence. In a verbal sentence the “a”
becomes “y” as is usual. Like the verb “bos” from which it is derived, it has a separate future
tense and a separate habitual imperfect tense. Following “Cornish Simplified” the verb tables
below give the forms with the particle “a” which is replaced by “y” in verbal sentences as
explained above and by “ny” for the negative.
Unlike other verbs, the form changes for each person in both nominal and verbal
sentences.
Present Tense. Past(Preterite)Tense.

a’m beus = I have. a’m beu =I had.
a’th eus = You have. a’ feu = You had.
a’n jeves = He/It has. a’n jeva = He/It had.
a’s teves = She/It has. a’s teva = She/It had.
a’gan beus = We have. a’gan beu = We had.
a’gas beus = You have. a’gas beu = You had.
a’s teves = They have a’s teva = They had.
Future Tense. Present Subjunctive Tense.

a’m bydh = I shall have. erna’m bo = until I have.
a’ fydh = You will have. erna’ fo = until you have
a’n jevydh = He/It will have. erna’n jeffo = until he/it has.
a’s tevydh = She/It will have. erna’s teffo = until she/it h s.
a’gan bydh = We shall have. erna’gan bo = until we have.
a’gas bydh = You will have. erna’gas bo = until you have.
a’s tevydh = They will have. erna’s teffo = until they have.
Imperfect Tense. Habitual Imperfect Tense.

a’m bo = I had/was having. a’m bedha = I used to have.
a’th o = You had etc. a’ fedha = You used to have.
a’n jevo = He/It had etc. a’n jevedha = He/It used to have.
a’s tevo = She/It had etc. a’s tevedha = She/It used to
have.
a’gan bo = We had etc. a’ gan bedha = We used to have.
a’gas bo = You had etc. a’gas bedha = You used to have.
a’s tevo = They had etc. a’s tevedha = They used to have
Pluperfect/Conditional Tense. Imperfect Subjunctive Tense.

a’m bia = I had had/would have. mara’m be = if I had.
a’ fia = You had had etc. mara’ fe = if you had.
a’n jevia = He/It had had etc. mara’n jeffa = if he/it had.
a’s tevia = She/It had had etc. mara’s teffa = if she/it had.
a’gan bia = We had had etc. mara’gan be = if we had.
a’gas bia = You had had etc. mara’gas be = if you had.
a’s tevia = They had had etc. mara’s teffa = if they had.
K.D.L. Dyskans eth ha dewgens. folenn 3
In the following exercise, most of the examples are simple affirmative statements and
should be translated as nominal sentences, putting the subject, whether noun or pronoun in
front of the verb form given in the tables. In the negative examples, replace “a” with “ny2”
e.g. ny’m beus = I have not.
The pronoun subject may precede the “ny” to emphasise it. The examples beginning with
“if” and “until” will be exactly as in the verb table.

1) We have. 8) The Cornish have. 15) We shall have.
2) They will have. 9) You did not have. 16) They did not have
3) Tewdar had. 10) I would have. 17) She did not have.
4) I used to have. 11) If they had. 18) If I had.
5) If you had. 12) The bishop will not have. 19) Until we have.
6) We were having. 13) You would have. 20) You will have.
7) She would have. 14) Until he has.
Combination of “ha” and some prepositions with possessives. We have seen many examples
throughout the course of how ‘‘ha,” “a,” “dhe,” and “yn” combine with possessives. Here is a
complete list.
and (ha) of/from (a) to (dhe) in (yn)
my ha’m, ha’w 3 a’m, a’w 3 dhe’m y’m (With “yn”,

your ha’th 5 a’th5 dhe’th 5 y’th5 the full forms
his ha’y2 a’y2 dh’y2 yn y2 are also in
her ha’y3 a’y3 dh’y3 yn hy3 use.
e.g. “yn ow” =
our ha’gan a’gan dh’agan y’gan “in my”)
your ha’gas a’gas dh’agas y’gas
their ha’ga3 a’ ga3 dh’aga3 y’ga3
e.g. ha’ga3 thas = and their father.

yn hy chi = in her house.

1) and my father. 8) to my wife. 15) from our house.
2) from your friend. 9) and his shop. 16) in your mouth.
3) to his son 10) to your daughter. 17) and your brother.
4) in your house. 11) from our father. 18) in my bed.
5) and our dog. 12) in her garden. 19) to their mother.
6) in their town. 13) and his book. 20) and her dress.
7) from his farm. 14) to my sister.
Dyskans eth ha dewgens. folenn 4.
Emphatic Suffixed Pronouns. These are “vy, jy, ev, hi, ni, hwi, i.” They are used to add
emphasis to other personal pronouns, expressed or not. They may be added to:
1) Verbs to emphasise an infixed object;

e.g. An den a’m gwel vy = The man sees me.
2) Verbs, especially in questions to emphasise or clarify the subject:
e.g. A2 wra ev mos a-vorow? = Will he go tomorrow?
(The normal way to emphasise the subject in a simple statement is to use a nominal sentence:
e.g. Ev a2 wra mos a-vorow = He will go tomorrow.)
3) A verb noun used with “gul” or other auxiliary verb to emphasise the object pronoun:
e.g. Ni a 2 wra hy gweres hi = We are helping her.
4) Pronouns combined with a preposition:
e.g. Ev a2 gews orto ev = He speaks to him.
5) A noun to emphasise the person who possesses the thing named:
e.g. Gwynn ow bys vy ynwedh = White my world too.

= I am happy too.
Exercise 3. Translate the following into Cornish, using the appropriate form of a suffixed
pronoun to emphasise the word underlined.
1) I want to see you tomorrow.

2) What is he doing?
3) Don’t go to Truro with her.
4) I saw them at the Gorsedd.
5) We shall find her some day.
6) That is my book.
7) They will send you.
8) I shall not go without them.
9) Help us today, please.
10) They are doing it for us.
Skrif.
Dha2 gar (po dha2 wreg/wour) a2 dyb dha2 vos nebes gokki dhe2 dhyski Kernewek. Skrif
keskows (conversation) may5 tyskwedhydh prag y’n dyskydh.
Dyskans naw ha dewgens. Nawves dyskans ha dewgans.
(Summary of “tyli.” Prepositions with relative pronouns.)
Lannstefan ha Lowena.
Nyns o res lemmyn dhe2 Dewdar dehweles dhe2 Garesk rag kavoes an Penn. Yn 5
hwir, yth esa owth omwovynn mars esa ow4 tehweles rag kavoes an Penn po rag kavoes
Aethelflaed. Y’n gwella prys, y’n jevo an 2 dhew! Mes lemmyn yth heveli dhodho kepar ha
pan 2 ve an Penn le bysi ages Aethelflaed. Martesen offrynn kerensa gwrys gans Aethelflaed
re2 lanhasa molleth an Penn.
I a2 gerdhas an 2 dhew skaffa gallens war-tu ha Lannstefan. Towl Tewdar o sywya an 2
Gernowyon ha’ga3 thremena dres an nos heb bos gwelys gansa. Y’n fordh ma, drehedhes
Lannstefan a2 wrens, kepar dell lavarsa Tewdar dhedha. Ena i a2 ylli pysi gweres a’n 2 venegh 2
gernewek.
Ervirys veu gans Tewdar hag Aethelflaed govynn orth an Abas a Lannstefan mar
mynna aga demmedhi skonna galla. Yth esa own gans Aethelflaed na2 dhannvonna hy3 thas
tus dh’y3 havoes, ha rag henna hi a2 dreylyas hy hanow dhe hanow kernewek - Lowena -
hanow meurgerys gans Tewdar.
Tremena an 2 Gernowyon dres an nos heb kaletter a2 wrussons, ha wosa dew 2 dhydh, i
2
a dhrehedhas Managhti Lannstefan.
An Abas a2 dhannvonas lu a2 dus rag gweres an 2 Gernowyon, ha’n jydh a sywyas o
dydh demmedhyans Tewdar ha Lowena. Benyn 2 dha an 2 dre a ros pows nowydh dhe Lowena,
hag yn gwella prys, nyns esa denvydh a2 wodhya bos Lowena myrgh mer Karesk, yn despit
dh’y thon sowsnek! An Abas a2 gavas chi dhedha war onan a’n tiryow a’n managhti. An nos
na, nyns esa travydh dhe lettya unyans Tewdar ha Lowena, korf hag enev.
Ha’n Penn? Neb hendhyskyas, neb dydh, a2 wra kavoes yn Lannstefan remenant kyst
prenn, hag ynno krogen den!
Gerva.
offrynn (p) offrynnow = offering. demmedhyans = wedding.

towl (p) towlow = plan. lu (p) luyow = crowd.
tremena = to pass ton (p) tonyow = accent.
pysi = to beg, request. hendhyskyas = archaeologist
demmedhi = to marry. remenant = remains.
meurgerys = much loved. krogen (f) (p) kregyn. = skull.
paper (p) paperyow = paper. unyans = union
Govynnadow.
1) Prag y5 hwrug Tewdar dehweles dhe2 Garesk?

2) Pandr’a2 wrussa glanhe molleth an Penn?
3) Fatell2 gerdhas Tewdar hag Aethelflaed war-tu ha Lannstefan?
4) Prag y5 fynna Tewdar tremena an 2 Gernowyon heb bos gwelys?
5) Pandr’a2 wovynnas Tewdar hag Aethelflaed orth an Abas?
6) Prag y treylyas Aethelflaed hy hanow?
7) A2 gerydh hy hanow nowydh?
8) Fatell2 weresas an Abas an 2 Gernowyon?
9) Prag y ros an venyn pows nowydh dhe Lowena?
10) Pandr’a2 wra leverel an paperyow nowydh pan 2 gaffo an hendhyskyas an 2 gyst hag ynni
an Penn?
K.D.L. Dyskans naw ha dewgens. folenn 2.
Gramasek
The verb “tyli” = “to pay.” This is a useful verb. Beside the basic meaning of “to pay” it also
means “to be worth,” in the sense of:
e.g. Ober a2 dal y2 wul a2 dal y2 wul yn 5 ta.

A job worth doing is worth doing well.
It can also be used to translate “ought” or “must.”
e.g. (present) My a2 dal mos = I ought to/must go.

(pluperf.) My a2 dalvia mos = I ought to have gone.
There is a separate future tense which has the endings of “bos” as do the pluperfect and
imperfect subjunctive tenses.
Present Tense. Present Subjunctive Tense.

talav = I pay. pan 2 dylliv = when I pay.
tylydh = You pay. pan dylli = when you pay.
tal = He/She/It pays. pan dallo = when he pays.
tylyn = We pay. pan dyllyn = when we pay.
tylowgh = You pay. pan dyllowgh = when you pay.
talons = They pay pan dallons = when they pay.

telen = I used to pay. mar talfen = if I paid.
teles = You used to pay. mar talfes = if you paid.
tela = He used to pay. mar talfa = if he paid.
telen = We used to pay. mar talfen = if we paid.
telewgh = You used to pay. mar talfewgh if you paid.
telens = They used to pay. mar talfens = if they paid.

tylis = I paid. talvien = I had paid/would pay.
tylsys = You paid. talvies = You had paid etc.
tylis = He paid. talvia = He had paid etc.
tylsyn = We paid. talvien = We had paid etc.
tylsowgh = You paid. talviewgh = You had paid etc.
talsons = They paid. talviens = They had paid etc.
Future Tense. Imperative.

talvydhav = I shall pay.
talvydhydh = You will pay. tal = pay.
talvydh = He will pay. teles = let him/her pay.
talvydhyn = We shall pay. telen = let us pay.
talvydhowgh = You will pay. telewgh = pay.
talvydhons = They will pay. telens = let them pay.
Past Participle tylys = paid (Tylys yw = It is paid.)
(N.B. The usual word for “pay for” is “prena” (= “to buy”))

1) I pay. 8) You would pay. 15) I shall pay.
2) It is worth reading. 9) I ought not to go. 16) You must eat.
3) We have paid. 10) It is worth seeing. 17) The bill is paid
4) We must work. 11) She would pay. (bill = reken)
5) He will pay. 12) If I paid. 18) Let him pay.
6) They ought to go. 13) When they pay. 19) He has paid.
7) She used to pay. 14) They used to pay. 20) I paid for the beer.
Prepositions followed by “whom.” Sentences such as “The man to whom I spoke, stood up,”
or, in more colloquial English, “The man I spoke to stood up.” can be expressed in Cornish in
three ways:
e.g. 1) An den a2 gewsis vy orto a sevis.

(The man whom I spoke to him stood up.)
2) An den orto y kewsis vy a sevis.
(The man to whom I spoke stood up.)
3) An den may kewsis vy (orto) a sevis.
(The man to whom I spoke (to him) stood up.)
Here is another example:

e.g. The girl at whom I looked went away.
(The girl I looked at went away.)
1) An2 vowes a viris orti eth dhe2-ves.

(The girl whom I looked at her went away.)
2) An2 vowes orti y5 firis eth dhe2-ves.
(The girl at her I looked went away.)
3) An2 vowes may5 firis (orti) eth dhe2-ves.
(The girl at whom I looked (at her) went away.
In (1) “a 2” is used as a relative pronoun and is reinforced by the preposition combined with an
agreeing pronoun and following the verb.
In (2) the relative pronoun is omitted completely and is replaced by a personal pronoun
combined with the preposition before the verb.
In (3) “may5” acts as a relative pronoun. The preposition combined with a reinforcing
agreeing pronoun after the verb is optional.
Exercise 2. Translate each of the following sentences into Cornish three times using each of
the methods shown above.
1) The men I work with work hard.

2) The man Aethelflaed spoke to was Tewdar.
3) The Cornish I talk to love Cornwall.
4) The friend I go out with speaks Cornish.
5) The boys Yowann plays with love football.
Prepositions followed by “which.” To translate phrases such as “with which,” “on which,”
“in which,” “through which,” we use “may5”:
e.g. Ni a2 welas an chi may triga y2 das

We saw the house in which his father lived.
(or; “....the house his father lived in.”)
Yth esa toll may5 teuth logosenn (anodho).=

There was a hole from which a mouse came.
(or: “....a mouse came out of.”)
Hi a2 gavas moes mayth esa botell (warnedhi) =

She found a table on which there was a bottle.
The combined preposition and pronoun may be added if necessary for emphasis or
clarification.
1) Tewdar hid the box in which was the Head.

2) I know the town you are going to.
3) This is the book with which we learn Cornish.
4) That is the river which they crossed over.
5) I know a bank (bankenn) where the wild thyme (tim gwyls) grows.
6) Aethelflaed found the cottage where the box was.
7) She found the opening through which Tewdar had left the city.
8) Tewdar did not know the road along which they were going.
9) This is the spear with which his father was killed.
10) That is the bed of straw on which Aethelflaed slept.
Skrif.
Konsel an sita a2 vynn dyllo (publish) istori Karesk. Skrif neppyth ragdho yn kever pellheans
(expulsion) an 2 Gernowyon.
Dyskans hanterkans. Degves dyskans ha dewgens.
Revision.
1) Aethelflaed spoke with a laugh.

2) Tewdar returned to Exeter because he wanted to get the Head.
3) The Head was hidden in a cottage which was not burned.
4) Aethelflaed found the Head before Tewdar returned.
5) She carried it in her hands.
6) The Head was hidden under some straw in the nearest cottage,
7) The Cornish fled because King Athelstan drove them out of Exeter.
8) If they had not gone, he would have killed them.
9) The Cornish left Exeter and walked to Launceston.
10) Aethelflaed helped a woman who was carrying a baby.
11) She said that her husband had been killed.
12) We know that she could not reach Launceston.
13) We are learning Cornish because we are Cornish.
14) If you were here, we could learn Cornish together.
15) When they left Exeter, they went to Launceston.
16) It is said that the king was angry.
17) Tewdar kissed Aethelflaed three times.
18) As soon as she saw the box, Aethelflaed took it in her hands.
19) Although you did not come, you wrote me a letter.
20) When we saw him, he was angry.
21) He saw the English soldier striking his father.
22) When they reach Launceston, the Cornish will be happy.
23) They wanted to ask the Abbot for help.
24) He is not as big as you.
25) They will be glad to reach Cornwall.
26) Tewdar returned to Exeter so that the Head could be saved.
27) Is there a Cornishman who will not learn Cornish?
28) The more we work, the quicker we learn.
29) The king and his soldiers drove the Cornish from their home with their spears.
30) The boy he spoke to went on to Launceston where there was a Cornish
monastery.
Skrif.
Pyth yw dha2 dybyansow yn kever an les (advantages) ha’n anles

(disadvantages) a2 dhyski Kernewek “dre lyther!”?
Internet Edition – 07.09.05 Gerva Kynsa dhe Dressa Gradh
www.kdlcornish.freeserve.co.uk/dyllansow
Preface
The KDL “Gerva Kensa ha Nessa Grath” was first published in 1986 in Unified
Cornish to provide a quick reference for KDL students to the vocabulary in the first
two KDL courses, and the first and second grade examination papers from 1983
onwards. It was also intended as a low cost initial word list for inquirers and
beginners, not sufficiently committed to invest in the Morton Nance Dictionary.
It was reissued in Kernewek Kemmyn, in 1989 and covered the words used in
the KDL 1st and 2nd/3rd grade courses, and 1st and 2nd grade exam papers from
1983 onwards (from 1988 a new 2nd grade exam. was introduced so that the old 2nd
grade standard became third grade, and this 3rd grade is the one covered in the
Gerva).
It was updated again in 1994 as new dictionaries in Kernewek Kemmyn became

available and to include words found in more recent examination papers.
This version has now been transferred to computer disk which has made
further updating much easier and made it possible to insert words from the 1996 to the
2000 examination papers, but papers for 1990-95 have been omitted as they were not
in the early versions of the Gerva nor are they currently used in the KDL courses.
The Gerva is based on the gervaow provided with the lessons and past exam.
papers which form the KDL courses so that some words used only in examples in the
courses, not in the reading passages, may not be found here.
Each entry has a reference showing the KDL lesson or past paper in which it is
found. In some cases, where the word is used differently, it is entered more than once
with the appropriate references. A number such as 25 refers to Lesson 25, and a
number such as 3/89 indicates the 1989 third grade paper. To avoid confusion all such
papers are referred to as “third grade” as that is the standard they now represent,
though before 1988 they were actually second grade papers.
Phrases consisting of several words are listed under all the main words in the
phrase. When this is not the first word, the word under which it is indexed is printed in
large, bold type. A fairly long phrase may therefore appear several times in the Gerva
under the various initial letters.
KDL students are warned that the Gerva is not intended to replace the one
they are recommended to make for themselves in the introduction to the KDL course.
Examination papers ranging over a considerable number of years make it clear that as
a whole they cover a wide range of vocabulary and the student cannot expect to know
all the words shown. It makes it clear also that there is really no such thing as “1st,
2nd or 3rd grade” vocabulary. Almost any word may appear at any grade. The best
way of preparing for written exams. is to read as much Cornish as possible making
your own vocabulary of new words. The exercise of translation and re-translation as
recommended in the KDL courses is also of great value.
1
We were most grateful to Dr David Balhatchet for checking through the
original Gerva and providing corrections without number! His sad death earlier this
year means that such help has not been available for this new edition.
Ray Edwards
Mis Kevardhu, 2001
The present website version has been updated to 2005.

Ray Edwards
Mis Est, 2005
2
A
A
a2 (6) = vocative particle (0! or not translated)
2
a-ban (26) = since
abas (p) abasow (33) = abbot
Aberfal (17) = Falmouth
Aberplymm (1/96) = Plymouth
a-berth yn (4) = inside
a-berth y’n (14) = into the
a-bervedh (26) = inside
abostol (p) abesteli (33) = apostle
a-denewen (3/96) = aside
a-dhelergh (3/00) = back, rear
a-dherag (14) = in front of
a-dhesempis (28) = immediately
a-dhiworth (41) = away from
a-dhistowgh (3/00) = immediately
adhvesi (3/88) = to ripen
a-dro dhe (18) = around
a-dryv (1//87) = behind
a-dryv dhymm yn klos (3/00) = close behind me
a fydhya (32) = to confirm
aga3 (3) = their
aga gul (11) = to do them
a’ga esedh (l4) = sitting
a’ga sav (24) = standing
agan (7) = our
ages (26) = than
a-gynsow (3/04) = lately, recently
a-hys (26) = along
a-ji (26) = indoors
alargh (p) elergh (1/05) = swan
Alban (1/05) = Scotland
Albanek (1/02) = Scots
alena (19) = from there
yn-dann alhwedh (3/84) = locked up
alhwedha (3/84) = to lock
ny allav (6) = I cannot
ty dhe alloes (6) = that you can
2
ny allsons (1/83) = they could not
Almaynek (13) = German
als (f) (p) alsyow (17) = cliff
alusener (p) alusenoryon (28) = almoner
3
A
amal (p) emlow (3/02) = edge, border

amanenn (21) = butter
amari (p) amaris (1/84) = cupboard
ambos (p) ambosow (32) = promise
aneth (p) anethow (3/02) = adventure
anfeusik (29) = unlucky
anken (p) ankenyow (41) = distress
ankevi (19) = to forget
2
na wra ankevi (19) = don’t forget!
ankombrynsi (3/87) = embarrassment
ankoth (31) = strange
amal (p) emlow (3/96) = edge
amm (p) ammow (31) = kiss
amontya (3/84) = to count
an eyl ... y ben (3/97) = the one ... the other
(used only when both parties are feminine)
a ny2 wodhesta? (13) = don’t you know?
a’n jevo own (28) = was afraid
a’n par na (14) = like that
anella (3/04) = to breathe
anella poes (3/96) = to breathe deeply
annedh (f) (p) annedhow (24) = dwelling
annia (16) = to annoy
anodho (8) = of it
2
war y anow (28) = on his lips
apert (42) = obvious
apposyans (13) = examination
arall (p) erell (12) = other
arbennik (21) = special
ardhynyek (3/01) = seductive
argel (f) (p) argelow (3/84) = secret place
arghans (1/02) = silver
arghans (21) = money
arghantti (p) arghanttiow (1/87) = bank
na2 wra argya (11) = don’t quarrel!
arloedh (43) = lord
arloedhes (f) (p) arloedhesow (31) = lady
arnowydh (22) = modern
arta (7) = again
arv (f) (p) arvow (39) = weapon
Arvow Kernow (1/05) = the Arms of Cornwall
arveth (3/99) = to employ
arvor (3/01) = coast
arwoedh (p) arwoedhyow (14) = sign
arwoedha (19) = to signal
askell-dro (f) (1/02) = helicopter
askorrys (3/05) = produced
ass ova skwith! (26) = how tired he was!
4
A
ass yw dydh lowen! (12) = what a happy day it is!

ass yw gwel brav! (24) = what a fine sight it is!
assay (p) assays (3/85) = attempt
assaya (29) = to try
nag assaya nevra (29) = that he should never try
assoylya (26) = to shrive
aswa (f) (p) aswaow (31) = gap
aswonn (3/85) = to know, recognise
aswonnvos (29) = to know (person)
aswonnys (3/98) = recognised
attendya (3/00) = to notice
attes (14) = comfortably
a-ugh (16) = above
aval (p) avalow (13) = apple
avan (23) = raspberries
a-varr (3/00) = early
avel (7) = as
ha ganso Kernewek avel mammyeth (7) = with Cornish as his mother tongue
mar2 bell avel (41) = as far as
a-ves (3/04) = away, outside
avisya (3/86) = to advise, call
avon (f) (p) avonyow (24) = river
a-vorow (11) = tomorrow
poran a-woeles (3/84) = just below
awos (31) = because
a-wosa (1/98) = later
awtoures (f) (3/01) = author (f)
a’y esedh (26) = sitting
a’y sav (44) = standing
a’y worwedh (26) = lying
ayr (29) = air
B
baban (p) babanes (39) = baby
bagas (9) = group
bagel (f) (p) baglow (3/85) = shepherd’s crook
bakken (21) = bacon
bal (p) balyow (3/05) = mine
den bal (p) tus bal (1/86) = miner
baner (p) baneryow (24) = banner
baner (p) baneryow (3/05) = flag
sevel yn-bann (3/85) = to stand up
banna (p) bannaghow (3/02) = a drop
5
B
bara (21) = bread

baramanenn (1/04) = sandwich
bardh (p) berdh (24) = bard (male)
Bardh Meur (24) = Grand Bard
bardhes (f) bardhesow (24) = bard (female)
bardhonieth (f) (3/02) = poetry
bargen-tir (p) bargenyow-tir (28) = farm
an barth dheghow (3/01) = the south side
barv (f) (p) barvow (1/99) = beard
bath (p) bathow (3/88) = coin
bay (p) bayow (3/86) = kiss
bedh (p) bedhow (3/97) = grave
bedha (3/00) = to dare
bedhewgh war (1/96) = be careful
begh (p) beghyow (3/88) = burden
2
mar bell avel (41) = as far as
galwenn bellgewser (3/00) = telephone call
an eyl dh’y ben (3/03) = as “an eyl dh’y gila” but replacing two feminine
nouns
berr (1/83) = short
pols berr (1/87) = a short while
2
berr dermyn (22) = a short time
my re beu (12) = I have been
re bia (26) = had been
blas (3/88) = scent
bleujenn (f) (p) bleujennow (13) = flower
blew (collective) (1/04) = hair
bleydh (p) bleydhi (3/85) = wolf
bloedh (3) = years old
blydhen (f) (p) blydhynyow (24) = year
boes (18) = food
prys boes (3/88) = meal
boesti (p) boestiow (3/01) = restaurant
boghosek (41) = poor
boghosogneth (3/89) = poverty
bolgh (p) bolghow (39) = breach
bond-ros felsys (1/87) = punctured tyre
2
ev a borthas kov (29) = he remembered
(perthi kov = to remember)
2
na bortha own (44) = who was not afraid
bos (12) = to be
bos mab ha myrgh genowgh hwi (7) = that you have a son and daughter
drefenn bos Kembro an epskop da na (26 ) = because that good bishop was a
Welshman
mos ha bos (42) = to become
rag bos (22) = because there is
rag ow bos (27) = because I am
6
B
Bosvenegh (1/97) = Bodmin

botas (c) (1/01) = boots
bownder (f) (p) bownderyow (3/03) = lane
Bran Vendigeit (34) = Bran the Blessed
bras (12) = large
brassa (26) = bigger
braster (38) = majesty
brastir (p) brastiryow (3/98) = continent
brav (3/97) = fine, excellent
bre (f) (p) breow (24) = hill
2
a breder (7) = think
(prederi = to think)
bregh (f) (p) breghow (dual) diwvregh (1/97) = arm
an2 brenoryon (8) = the customers
bresel (p) breselyow (37) = war
breselyer(p) breselyoryon (34) = warrior
Breten2 Veur (f) (1) = Great Britain
Breten2 Vyghan (f) (2) = Brittany
Ynys Breten (27) = the Island of Britain
Bretonek (2) = Breton
breus (f) (3/8) = judgment
bri (27) = renown
brini (p) (1/02) = crows
brithel (p) brithyli (1/97) = mackerel
bro (f) (1) = country
broder (p) breder (22) = brother
bronn (p) bronnow (24) = hill
bronn (f) (p) bronnow (32) = breast
bryntin (31) = noble
brys (p) brysyow (28) = mind
Brythonek (3/99) = Brittonic
Brythonyon (27) = Britons
bugel (p) bugeledh (3/85) = shepherd
bugh (f) (p) bughes (1/98) = cow
bush (f) (p) bushys (36) = crowd
bynk(f) (p) bynkys (36) = platform
bydh war (19) = be careful
byghan (4) = small
byghan lowr (9) = fairly small
2
dos er y bynn (32) = to meet him
bys (31) = world
bys troes (p) bysyes troes (3/96) = toe
bys vykken (37) = for ever
bys yn (8) = until
bys yn (18) = as far as
oll an bys (11) = everybody
pyth an bys (3/89) = worldly wealth
7
B
bysi (9) = busy

bysi (26) = important
bysyes -troes (3/84) = toes
bythkweth (1/85 ) = ever
byttegyns (2) = however
byw (1/83) = alive
byw (44) = lively, active
bywa (26) = to live
bywnans (12) = life
Ch
chambour (p) chambours (22) = bedroom
chaplen (p)chaplens (3/85) = chaplain
cher (3/03) = state of mind
chi (p) chiow (4) = house
chi nessa (12) = next door
choklet (1/04) = chocolate
chons (p) chonsyow (12) = chance
chymbla (p) chymblys (22) = chimney
D
da (1/87) = good
da lowr (1/99) = very well
da yw genev (7) = I am glad
megys da (3/84) = well brought up
myttin da! (11) = good morning!
pys da (1/83) = pleased
yn poynt da (9) = very well
dadhla (3/04) = to argue
daffar (3/87) = provisions
dager (p) dagrow (33) = tear
dall (16) = blind
dalleth (14) = to begin
dallethores (f) (13) = beginner (f)
dallethoryon (13) = beginners
danek (21) = Danish
Danek (p) Danogyon (37) = Dane
settya dalghenn yn (39) = to grab
8
D
dalghenna (47) = to seize

yn-dann2 (1/83) = under
yn-danno (29) = under it
dans (p) dens (3/85) = tooth
gloes dans (1/87) = toothache
dar! (11) = rubbish!
daras (p) darasow (14) = door
dh’y daras (19) = to her door
darbari (3/88) = to prepare
dargan (f) (1/85) = forecast, prediction
das (f) (p) deys (3/85) = stack
dasjunys (47) = reunited
daskavoes (38) = to recover
daskorrys (32) = replaced
dasleverel (32) = to repeat
dasserghyans (3/04) = resurrection
dassonas (3/85) = echoed
(dasseni = to echo)
davas (f) (p) deves (1/04) = sheep
neb deg (13) = about ten
degea (9) = to close
deges (9) = closed
degys (3/05) = carried
(doen: to carry)
deghow (1/87) = right (hand)
dehweles (28) = to return
a2 wra dehweles (8) = return,
kepar dell2 (7) = as, like
(followed by verb)
kepar dell eus mab ha myrgh genen ni (7) =
as we (too) have a son and daughter
demmedhi (49) = to marry
demmedhyans (49) = wedding
den (p) tus (1) = man
den (33) = one, people
den a vri (3/98) = famous man
den bal (1/86) = miner
den jentyl (3/84) = gentleman
4
mar kwrella den hy gweles (3l) = if anyone saw her
den lagha (1/97) = lawyer
pub den oll (18) = everybody
dendil (3/88) = to earn
medhyk dens (1/87) = dentist
ny denvydh (29) = not anyone
nyns eus denvydh (7) = there is no-one
der (usually used before vowel) (46) = through
derivas (3/97) = report
9
D
derivas orth (16) = to inform

derivis (34) = told
2
berr dermyn (22) = short time (also written as one word)
desedhys (3/05) = situated
(desedha: to situate)
desempis (3/89) = immediately
deskrifa (2/03) = to describe
yn despit dhe2 (16) = in spite of
deun yn rag! (14) = come on!
devar (3/85) = duty
devedhyans (3/99) = origin
devedhyans (3/98) = arrival
devedhys (1/86) = (having) come (past participle of “dos”)
devnydh (8) = use
devnydhys (3/99) = used
(devnydhya = to use)
2
dew (8) = two (with masc. noun)
dewbries (3/99) = married couple
dewdhek (3) = twelve
dewdhorn (d) (3/02 = hands
dewdroes (46) = feet
dewlagas (16) = eyes
(lagas = eye)
2
yn despit dhe (16) = in spite of
devar (3/04) = duty
dew2 vargh (8) = 2 cv car
dewis (41) = to choose, elect
2
nyns o re dewl dhe weles (33) = it was not too dark to see
dewynnya (3/05) = to glitter, shine
dha (pronounce as Eng the) (6) = your
dha2 vos pyskador (7) = that you are a fisherman
2
pur dha (8) = very well
2
a dhannvon (4) = sends
dhe2 (pron. as Eng the) (2) = to
An Dhargan a Verdhin (3/98) = The Prophesy of Merlin
meur ras dhe Dhyw y hwonn (3/00) = I am very thankful to God
dhe les (7) = interesting
dhe les (7) = important
dhe naw eur (9) = at nine o’clock
dh’y2 worfenna (14) = to finish it
a-dro dhe2 (18) = around
2
ha mos dhe goska (8) = and go to sleep
2
kyns i dhe dhehweles (8) = before they return
ty dhe2 alloes (6) = that you can
2
dhe wir (13) = indeed, really
dhedha (3) = with them
yma dhedha (3) = they have
dhedhi (3) = with her
10
D
yma dhedhi (3) = she has

2
erna dheffo an dus erell (41) = until the other people come
re2 dhegemmeras (6) = have received
an barth dheghow (3/01) = the south side
2
ev a dhellos (3/97) = he published
(dyllo = to publish)
dhe’n lyha (3/98) = at least
2
an seythun a dheu (14) = the coming week
a2 dheuth (16) = came
(dos = to come)
ottomma pyth a dhevis! (3/85) = this is excellent!
dhe-woeles (3/98) = down
dhe-woeles (3/03) = at the bottom
dhis (6) = to you
gonn meur ras dhis a’th lyther (7) = thank you very much for your letter
pandr’a hwer dhis? (34) = what is the matter with you?
dhiso yn lel (6) = yours sincerely
eur dhiwedhes (8) = a late hour
2
kyns y vos re dhiwedhes (26) = before it is too late
dhiworth (6) = from
dhodho (3) = with him
res yw dhodho (11) = he has to
yma dhodho (3) = he has
y5 feu leverys dhodho (11) = he was told
kyns an Sowson dhe2 dhos (27) = before the Saxons came
a2 dhros (42) = brought
(dri = to bring)
ow leverel dhymm neppyth (7) = telling me something
res yw dhymm (14) = I must
skrif dhymm (6) = write to me
y koedh dhymm (32) = I must
2
a dhysk (7) = learn, teach
(dyski = to learn/teach)
2
yma nebes teyluyow a dhysk Kernewek (7) = there are some families that teach
Cornish
di (3/84) = there
dyagon (3/99) = deacon
diank (3/85) = to escape
nyns eus diank (3/97) = there is no escaping
(diank = to escape)
diarv (39) = unarmed
ma’n dibennens i (27) = that they should behead him
diberth (3/84) = to separate
diberth (1/99) = to leave
11
D
diblans (3/99) = distinct

dibowes (3/86) = restless
didhan (3/84) = amusement,
didhanus (3/03) = amusing
didheurek (3/05) = interesting
didre (42) = homeless
diek (11) = lazy
dien (17) = whole
megi difennys (14) = no smoking
difeudhi (16) = to put out
diffrans (3/01) = different (NB. spelt dyffrans in Gerlyver Kres)
difun (42) = awake
difuna (38) = to wake up
dihaval (3/99) = different
dillas (3/88) = clothing
diner (p) dinerow (21) = penny
dinerenn (f) (p) dinerennow (3/89) = penny
dineythys (399) = born
diogel (27) = safe
diskudha (48) = to reveal
diskudha (3/03) = to discover, uncover, reveal, disclose
diskwedhes (13) = to show
dismygi (3/98) = sort out
dismygi (3/02) = to guess, find out
disprevi (3/86) = to disprove
disputya (29) = to argue
nyns esa disputya gans (29) = there was no arguing with
distowgh (3/97) = suddenly
distowgh (1/04) = immediately, suddenly
distruys (48) = destroyed
(distrui = to destroy)
diswrys (44) = destroyed
(diswul = to destroy)
divarow (26) = immortal
divroys (3/98) = exiled
(Verbow Kernewek suggests divroyys)
diw eur (2) = two o’clock
diwedh (1/99) = end
diwedhes (3/97) = late
diwedhyn (3/84) = unbending
diwettha (19) = later
diwla (24) = hands
diwostyth (3/86) = disobedient
diwotti (9) = pub
diwros (f) (p) diwrosow (1/86) = bicycle
diwrosa: (1/05) = to cycle
diwskoedh (f) (31) = shoulders
diwskovarn (f) (34) = ears
diwvregh (f) (34) = arms
12
D
diwwews (f) (29 = lips

diwysek (3/85) = earnest, serious
diyskynna (1/87) = to descend, get down/out
doen (36) = to carry
domhwelys (3/85) = upset
dons (p) donsyow (1/85) = dance
donsya (24) = to dance
dor (23) = ground
dorn (p) dornow (32) = hand
lien dorn (31) = handkerchief
dornas (3/86) = handful
2
dos y’n pow gans nerth (3/86) = to invade
re2 wrussa dos (26) = had come
dout (p) doutys (3/00) = doubt, fear
down (32) = deep
dowr (p) dowrow (18) = water
dre2 gov (24) = by heart
ev a’n godhya dre2 gov (27) = he knew it by heart
dre lyther (2) = by letter
drefenn (47) = because of
drefenn (23) = because
drefenn an teylu dhe vos dhe2 ves (23) = because the family has gone away
drefenn bos Kembro an epskop da na (26) = because that good bishop was a
Welshman
dregynn (3/86) = mischief
drehedhes (11) = to reach
drehevel (22) = to build
drehevel (26) = to rise
drehevel (46) = to raise
drehevyans (p) drehevyansow (3/04) = building
dres (11) = during
dres (18) = across
dres eghenn (39) = exceedingly
drewydh (p) drewydhyon (28) = druid
dreys (3/96) = brambles
2
a drig (1) = lives
war unn dro (3/85) = once upon a time
2
a-dro dhe (18) = around
drog (1/97) = bad
drog pes (1/83) = cross
drog yw genev (16) = I am sorry
droglamm (32) = disaster
drogober (42) = evil deed
drolla (p) drollaow (3/02) = tale, story
2
meur dros (1/84) = noisy
2
An Drynses Sans (48) = The Holy Trinity
du (24) = black
13
D
Mis Du (24) = November

dug (27) = carried
(doen = to carry)
dur (3/05) = steel
durdadhis (3/84) = good day
2
an dus (9) = the people
2 2
bagas a dus (9) = group of people
rag dybri (9) = to eat
dydh (p) dydhyow (12) = day
(an jydh (special mutation) (12) = the day)
ass yw dydh lowen! (12) = what a happy day it is!
py dydh? (9) = what day?
dyegrys (3/00) = frightened
dyenn (1/83) = cream
dyenn-howl (1/96) = sun cream
dyenn rew (18) = ice cream
dyerbynna (3/00) = to meet
dy’goel (p) dy’goelyow (1/02) = holiday
dy’gweyth (9) = (on) a weekday
dyller (p) dylloryon (3/01) = publisher
dyowlek (28) = devilish
dyskador (9) = teacher
dyskans (p) dyskansow (14) = lesson
dyskans (3/85) = moral
dyski (1) = to learn
dyskybel (p) dyskyblon (3/89) = pupil
dyskys (3/98) = learned
Dyw (27) = God
E
ebrenn (f) (24) = sky
Mis Ebryl (23) = April
Edenva (f) (1/02) = Eden Project
edhen (f) (p) ydhyn (1/05) = bird
edhomm (p) edhommow (1/01) = need, want
edhomm (44) = need
koedha yn edrek (3/85) = to be remorseful/penitent
eghenn(f) (23) = kind, sort
dres eghenn (39) = exceedingly
eglos (f) (p) eglosyow (24) = church
eglos managhti (f) (29) = minster-church
elin (p) elinyow (3/84) = corner
14
E
elvenn (f) (p) elvennow (3/99) = element

yth en (17) = we go
(mos = to go)
ena (8) = there
enep (p) enebow (26) = face
enep (p) enebow (3/96) = surface
enev (p) enevow (26) = soul
enowys (3/04) = lit up (past participle of enowi- to light up)
ens i (18) = they were
ensampel (p) -low, -lys (3/98) = example
enyval (p) enyvales (3/85) = animal
epskop (p) epskobow (26) = bishop
Welshman
epskobeth (36) = diocese
2
erbynn (17) = against
mos erbynn (28) = to meet
erbynn unnek eur (14) = by eleven o’clock
erell (11) = other (plural)
ergh (23) = snow
2
erghi dhe (3/85) = to order
erna2 (26) = until
2 2
erow (f) (p) erewi (3/99) = acre
ervin (c) ervinenn (s) ervinennow(p) (1/03 = turnips
ervira (19) = to decide
lu ervys (36) = army
esa (12) = was
esa (16) = was/were
nyns esa maner vydh (28) = there was no way
nyns esa saw (21) = there was only
a’ga esedh (14) = sitting
a’y esedh (26) = sitting
esedha (18) = to sit
esedhys (34) = seated
esel (1) = member
esel (p) eseli (3/96) = limb
eskar (p) eskerens (3/86) = enemy
yth eson ni (12) = we are
esosta ow sevel? (11) = are you getting up?
yth esov vy (12) = I am
fatell esowgh hwi ow spena? (12) = How are you spending?
Essa (1/02) = Saltash
Mis Est (23) = August
estewlel (3/00) = to throw out
15
E
estrenes (f) (3/05) = stranger

esya (3/98) = easier
(es = easy)
eth (19) = went
(mos = to go)
eth (37) = became
res eth (8) = has gone
eur2 dhiwedhes (8) = a late hour
diw eur (9) = at two o’clock
erbynn unnek eur (14) = by eleven o’clock
pub eur oll (12) = all the time
pub eur oll (27) = always
pymp eur (9) = five o’clock
unn eur (9) = one o’clock
y’n eur ma (7) = at the present time
y’n eur na (14) = at that time
euryor (1/84) = clock, watch
eus koffi? (11) = is there any coffee?
eus passyes (12) = which has passed
kepar dell eus mab ha myrgh genen ni (7) = as we (too) have a son and daughter
ma nag eus (22) = so there is not
ma nag eus megi (14) = so there is no smoking
nyns eus denvydh (7) = there is no one
(diank = to escape)
nyns eus nevra (24) = there is never
nyns eus saw (14) = there is only
nyns eus travydh (16) = there is nothing
y’n termyn eus passyes (27) = in time gone by
euthek (14) = frightful
euver (38) = useless
ev (1) = he
ev a dhe2 glass (1) = he goes to a class
eva (14) = to drink
my a garsa eva (8) = I would like to drink
ewn (1/87) = correct, right
ewnter (p) ewntres (1/02) = uncle
an eyl dh’y ben 3/03 = as “an eyl dh’y gila” but replacing two feminine
nouns
2
an eyl, y gila (3/87) = the one, the other
2
nag an eyl, nag y gila (33) = neither the one nor the other
eyndo-europek (3/98) = Indo-European
16
F
F
yn fals (3/85) = treacherously
falsuri (41) = foul play
fatla genes? (9) = how are you?
fatla genowgh? (14) = how are you?
fatell2 dhysk Yowann? (l) = how does Yowann learn?
fatell esowgh hwi ow spena? (12) = how are you spending?
fatell o (26) = how it was/would be
fatell o an gwel (3/98) = what the view was like
fav (23) = beans
5
y fedha (32) = there would be
y5 fedha an howl ow4 trehevel (38) = the sun would be rising
bond-ros (f) felsys (1/87) = punctured -tyre
fenester (f) (p) fenestri (16) = window
fenten (f) (p) fentynyow (3/98) = source
fenten (f) (p) fentynyow (3/97) = fountain, well
fest (1/01) = very
fethus (3/02) = beautiful
y5 feu ynkleudhys (27) = it was buried
feusik (29) = lucky
fia (3/85) = to flee, escape
fia dhe’n fo (3/85) = to take flight
fin (3/88) = elegant
fistena (1/86) = to hurry
flamm nowydh (22) = brand new
fleghes (6) = children
ha’n fleghes y’n skol (9) = while the children are at school
fleghik (22) = little child
fler (p) fleryow## (3/00) = bad smell
flogholeth (44) = childhood
flour (3/00) = deck
fo (39) = flight, retreat
folenn (f) (p) folennow (3/77) = page
folhwerthin (3/88) = to giggle
foenek(f) (p) foenegow (3/85) = hay-field
fordh (f) (p) fordhow (14) = journey
fordh (f) (p) fordhow (29) = way
fosow (f) (4) = walls
fow (f) (p) fowys (3/85) = cave, den
fowesik, fowesigyon (42 ) = refugee
Fowydh (1/03) = Fowey
17
F
fresk (3/02) = fresh

freth (34) = eager
fros (p) frosow (39) = torrent
gwydh frutys (23) = fruit trees
Frynkek (2) = French
Frynkek (2) = French (language)
fur (1/97) = wise
furv (f) (p) furvow (3/99) = furvow
fusta (3/88) = to thresh
fydh (f) (47) = faith
y5 fydh (23) = there will be
y5 fydh (24) = he will be
fyski (3/00) = to hurry
yn fyw (3/00) = alive
G
gwella gallens (42) = as best they could
galloes (38) = power
galow (24) = call
galwenn bellgewser (3/00) = telephone call
ganow (p) ganowow (1/01) = mouth
ganow (p) ganowow (28) = mouth
gans (2) = with, by
y kara; a2 gara (18) = used to like; liked
garm (f) (p) garmow (38) = shout
garma (1/99) = to shout
garow (1/05) = harsh, rough
garr (f) (dual) diwarr (1/05) = leg
my a2 garsa eva (8) = I would like to drink
gasa (26) = to allow, let
gasa (3/97) = to leave
gasa dhe2 goedha (31) = to drop
2
a wre gasa (18) = used to leave
2
gas ev dhe goska (11) = let him sleep
gav dhymm (3/85) = forgive/pardon/excuse me
gaver (f) (p) gever (1/85) = goat
gell (1/97) = brown
gelwel (24) = to call
gelwel (3/84) = to invite
gelwis (34) = called
genen (7) = with us
18
G
kepar dell eus mab ha myrgh genen ni (7) = as we (too) have a son and daughter
genes (7) = with you
fatla genes? (9) = how are you?
gwell yw genev (14) = I prefer
yma genev (6) = I have
genowgh hwi (7) = with you
fatla genowgh? (14) = how are you?
Mis Genver (23) = January
genys (3/99) = born
ger (p) geryow (24) = word
ny dheuth ger vydh (29) = no word at all came
gesys (21) = left
(gasa = to leave)
2
yn y gever (11) = about him
a2 gews (1) = speaks
2
ny gews (2) = does not speak
2
an eyl, y gila (3/87) = each other
2
nag an eyl nag y gila (33) = neither the one nor the other
giowenn (f) (coll) giow (47) = nerve
gis (p) gisyow (37) = custom, fashion
gis (p) gisyow (3/01) = fashion, custom, manner, style
glanhe (36) = to clean
glann (f) (p) glannow (3/01) = bank
glas (24) = blue
glas (1/97) = blue/green
2
ev a dhe glas (1) = he goes to a class
glaw (1/05) = rain
glawlenn (f) (p) glawlennow (1/97) = umbrella
glesin (p) glesinyow (23) = lawn
gloes dans (1/87) = toothache
glow (22) = coal
glyb (1/98) = wet
gnas (f) (27) = nature
godhva (34) = knew
(godhvos = to know)
2
godhvos gras dhe (47) = to be grateful to
godhya (27) = knew
ev a’n godhya dre gov (27) = he knew it by heart
godolgh (3/96) = small hill
godrev (f) (p) godrevi (3/88) = small farm
gasa dhe2 goedha (31) = to drop
goedh (f) (p) goedhow(p) (1/04) = goose
goel (p) goelyow (37) = feast, festival
goelya (18) = to sail
19
G
goelyas (3/84) = to keep watch

goen (f) (p) goenyow (24) = down
goera (3/85) = hay
goes (39) = blood
yv dha2 goffi (11) = drink your coffee
gogoska (3/00) = to have a nap
gokki (1/98) = silly
golghi (1/01) = to wash
goli (p) goliow (39) = wound
goliys veu (27) = he was wounded
2
my re gollas (11) = I have lost
(kelli = to lose)
golow (p) golowys (1/05) = light
golowji (p) golowjiow (1/97) = lighthouse
gols (37) = hair
golusek (3/99) = wealthy
gon (p) gonow (36) = gown
gonis (26) = to work
gonis (32) = (church) service
gonis (3/88) = to sow
gonys (3/88) = sown
gonysyas (p) gonysysi (3/05) = workman
gorfenna (3/99) = end
gorhel (p) gorholyon (3/00) = ship
2
gorhemmynn (dhe ) (27) = to order
gorhemmynnadow (7) = greetings
gorra (14) = to put
gorra (3/85) = to drive
gorsav (p) gorsavow (14) = station
Gorsedh (f) (24) = Gorsedd (An assembly of bards)
Mis Gortheren (23) = July
gorthugher (8) = evening
Gorthugher da (8) = Good evening
gorthybi (24) = to answer
gortos (1/84) = to wait (for)
gorvarghas (f) (p) gorvarghasow (21) = supermarket
gorwel (p) gorwelyow (3/02)) = horizon
a2 goska (22) = used to sleep
(koska = to sleep)
gas ev dhe goska (11) = let him sleep
2
goslowes orth (3/05) = to listen to
gour (p) gwer (1/05) = man, husband
2
dre gov (24) = by heart
2
ev a’n godhya dre gov (27) = he knew it by heart
gov (p) govyon (1/97) = blacksmith
gover (p) goverow (3/05) = stream
20
G
ny gowsons saw (6) = (they) only speak

kynsa gradh (13) = first grade
gras (47) = gratitude
godhvos gras dhe (47) = to be grateful to
graghell (f) (3/01) = pile
grevys (3/88) = afflicted
(grevya = to afflict)
Grew (3/98) = Greek
grommya (3/00) = to growl
growynnek (3/97) = gravelly
2
Sin an Grows (36) = ProcessionaI Cross
2
dell grysav (36) = (as) I believe
(krysi = to believe)
gul (7) = to do
gul kanstellow (13) = basket making
gwag (8) = empty
gwandra (3/00) = to wander
gwann (1/97) = weak
prena gwara (21) = to go shopping
gwari (17) = to play
gwariek (3/84) = playful
gwariell (f) (p) gwariellow (3/03) = toy
gwariva (f) (p) gwarivaow (22) = playing field
gwas (p) gwesyon (1/04) = servant, fellow
gwas (p) gwesyon (36) = servant
gwaska (3/01) = to press
gwasonieth (f) (33) = servitude
Gwav (17) = winter
gwaya (3/00) = to move
gwaynya (1/97) = win
gwaytya (46) = to expect
gwaytyans (32) = expectation
gweder (p) gwedrow (19) = mirror
gweder (3/96) = glass
gwedhwes (f) (p) gwedhwesow (3/99) = widow
gwedrenn (f) (p) gwedrennow (13) = drinking glass
fatell o an gwel (3/98) = what the view was like
gwel (p) gwelyow (24) = field
gwel (44) = sight
gwel kala (46) = straw
gweles (1/98) = to see
4
mar kwrella den hy gweles (31) = if anyone saw her
ny2 wodhya mar4 kwre gweles (38) = he did not know whether he would see
gweli (p) gweliow (1/89) = bed
kala gweli (29) = straw bedding
2
gwell y jer (3/88) = bright and cheerful (lit. better his demeanour)
gwella (29) = best
21
G
gwella gallens (42) = as best they could

yn gwella prys (14) = fortunately
gwels (1/05) = grass
Dy’ Gwener (9) = Friday
Gwenton (17) = Spring
gweres (28) = to help
gwern (3/05) = marsh
gwernek (3/05) = marshy
gwers (f) (p) gwersyow (34) = verse
gwerther-lyvrow (3) = bookseller
gwerthji (39) = shop
gwerthjior (3/89) = shopkeeper
gweskel (39) = to strike
gwesti (p) gwestiow (3/02) = guest house
gweythres (p) gweythresow (3/86) = handiwork
gweythres (p) gweythresow (3/00) = deed
gweythva (p) gweythvaow (3/05) = factory
gwin (29} = wine
gwir (p) gwiryow (3/05) = truth
gwiryonedh (29) = truth
gwiryow moenek (3/99) = mineral rights
gwiska (3/84) = to put on clothes
gwitha (27) = to keep
gwitha (3/00) = to guard
gwithyades (f) (3/84) = guardian (f)
gwithyas kres (3/00) = police man
gwlanek (p) gwlanogow (1/05) = woolly jersey
gwiw (3/05) = suitable
gwra hedhi! (19) = stop!
gwra magla! (19) = change gear!
gwra mires! (19) = look!
gwreg (f) (3) = wife
gwregel (3/01) = feminine
gwreydh (collective) (3/99) = roots
gwrer (3/01) = one does (present impersonal of gul)
gwrians (43) = action
“Gwrians an Bys” (14) = “The Creation of the World” (a Cornish Miracle Play)
gwrys (43) = made
(past part “gul” = to make)
gwydh (23) = trees
gwydh frutys (23) = fruit trees
Gwydhelek (3/99) = Gaelic
gwydhenn (f) (col) gwydh (1/99) = tree
gwydhenn know (f) (48) = hazel tree
gwydhvosenn (f) (48) = honeysuckle
gwyls (3/01) = wild
gwylvos (39) = forest land
gwynn (16) = white
gwynn ow bys (47) = I am happy
22
G
Mis Gwynngala (23) = September

gwyns (23) = wind
gwynsek (1/98) = windy
gwyrdh (24) = green
gyki (3/81) = to peep
a2 gynsa prys (22) = for the first time
yn y 2 gyrghyn (3/85) = round himself
hi a2 gyv (23) = she gets
(kavoes = to get/find)
gyw (p) gywow (39) = spear
H
ha (3) = and
ha’n (6) = and the
ha’n fleghes yn skol (9) = while the children are at school
2
ha’y (2) = and his
wor’tu ha (26) = towards
hag ev y honan (28) = as he was alone
hag ynni an penn (28) = in which the head (was)
hal (f) (p) halow (24) = moor
hanaf (p) hanafow (13) = cup
haneth (1/85) = tonight
hanow (3) = name
hansel (p) hanselyow (1/88) = breakfast
hanter (21) = half
hanter-kans (21) = fifty
hartha (3/85) = to bark
has (23) = seeds
Hav (17) = summer
haval dhe2 (3/85) = similar to
haval orth (3/98) = similar to
(haval dhe is the better form to use. It occurs 19 times in the old texts; haval orth does
not occur at all)
havi (23) = to go on holiday
havyas (p) havysi (17) = holiday-maker
heb (16) = without
heb mar (7) = of course
heb neb mar (3/84) = without any doubt
heb 2 worfenn (48) = endless
(gorfenn = end)
hebaskhe (38) = to soothe
hebdho (22) = without it
hedhi (14) = to stop
23
H
gwra hedhi! (19) = stop!

hedhyw (11) = today
Mis Hedra (23) = October
hegas (3/00) = hateful
hel (p) helyow (1/85) = hall
helder (27) = hospitality
helergh (3/84) = late
helgh (3/84) = chase
hembrenkyas (p) hembrenkysi (26) = leader
hemma (f) homma (13) = this
hen 2 (always before noun) (36) = old
hendhyskans (3/97) = archaeology
hendhyskyas (p) hendhyskisi (49) = archaeologist
henhwedhel (p) henhwedhlow (44) = legend
henys (f) (3/89) = old age
henna (f) honna (13) = that
rag henna (12) = therefore
henwel (31) = to name, call
henwyn (11) = names
henyeth (f) (p) henyethow (3/98) = ancient language
herdhya (39) = to push, shove
herwydh (11) = according to
heveli (29) = to seem
hevlyna (1/84) = this year
heyl (p) heylyow (18) = estuary
heylynn (p) heylynnow (3/03) = creek
hi (3) = she
hi a2 gyv (23) = she finds
(kavoes = to find)
hi a ober (3) = she works
hir (11) = long
hir (1/86) = tall
hogh (p) hoghes (1/96) = pig
hokya (43) = to hesitate
hoelan (21) = salt
holya (2/00) = to follow
hemma (f) homma (13) = this
hirneth (f) (3/03) = long time
hy honan (22) = her own
hy honan (27) = herself/itself
ow honan (26) = myself
y honan (8) = himself
y honan/hy honan (38) = alone
henna (f) honna (13) = that
horn (p) hern (1/05) = iron
hornell (f) (p) hornellow (1/04) = iron (tool)
hos (p) heyji (1/04) = duck
howl (1/97) = sun
24
H
Y5 fedha an howl ow4 trehevel (38) = the sun would be rising

howldrevel (3/98) = east
howlleskys (1/96) = sun burned
an howlsedhes (18) = the west
howlsplann (1/01) = sunshine, sunlight
howlyek (1/88) = sunny
hudel (27) = magic
hunros (p) hunrosow (1/04) = dream, vision
hunrosa (3/03) = to dream
hwans (p) hwansow (1/97) = wish, desire
hware (1/05) = at once, straight on, thereupon
hwarth (31) = laugh (noun)
hwarth (3/05) = laughter
hwarvos (1/01) = to happen
hwath (13) = still
hwarfedhys (1/87) = happened
(past part hwarvos = to happen)
re hwarva (28) = has happened
hwarvos (27) = to happen
hwedhel (p) hwedhlow (26) = story
hweg (17) = pleasant
hweghkorn (2) = hexagon
hwegynn (p) hwegynnow (1/04) = sweet
hwekka (29) = sweeter
hwel (p) hwelyow (28) = work, job
5
y hwelens (18) = they used to see
hwerik (f) (p) hwerigow (3/84) = little sister
hwerthin (13) = to laugh
hwerow (1/05) = bitter
Mis Hwevrer (23) = February
hwilas (37) = to look for
hwilas (1/05) = to try, seek, look for
yn hwir (1/96) = really
hwithra (1/02) = investigate, research
hwoer (f) (p) hwerydh (1/02) = sister
hwyppya (3/84) = to whip
hwyski (1/02) = whisky
hwystra (16) = to whisper
hwytha (14) = to blow
hwithra (1/02) = to examine
3
hy (poss adj) (3) = her
hy honan (22) = her own
hy honan (27) = herself/itself
y honan/hy honan (38) = alone
Hykka (13) = boy’s name (Richard)
25
H
y5 hyllens (18) = they could

hyns (p) hynsyow (3/01) = path, road
pleg hyns (3/84) = bend (in road)
hyns-horn (3/98) = railway
lies hys (3/96) = many lengths
I
i (3) = they
2
Ifarn (28) = Hell
imaj (p) imajys (34) = image
igeri (18) = to open
igerys (past part. used as adj) (3/97) = open
igor (46) = open
ilow (1/84) = music
is- (prefix) (3/99) = under-, assistant-
isel (27) = low, quiet
Iwerdhon (27) = Ireland
Iwerdhonek (1/02) = Irish
J
den jentyl (p) tus jentyl (3/84 ) = gentleman
gwell y2 jer (3/88) = bright and cheerful (lit better his demeanour)
ny’n jevo (28) = did not have
Jori (13) = boy’s name (George)
an jowl (34) = the devil
junya (3/84) = to join
justis (p) justisyow (3/99) = magistrate
jynn- ebrenn (p) jynnow-ebrenn (1/02) = aeroplane
jynn skrifa (13) = typing
jynnji (p) jynnjiow (1/97) = engine house
jynn-tenna (p) jynnow-tenna (1/04) = tractor
26
K
K
kabli (37) = to blame
mata kabynn (3/00) = cabin mate
kador (f) (p) kadoryow (1/83) = chair
kador-treth (3/96) = beach-chair
kador-vregh (f) (p) kadoryow-bregh (1/97) = arm chair
kala (43) = straw
gwel kala (46) = straw
kala gweli (29) = straw bedding
kales (12) = hard
kaletter (17) = difficulty
kals (28) = pile
kalter (f) (p) kalteryow (1/04) = kettle
kalter (f) (p) kalteryow (27) = cauldron
kamm (16) = wrong
kamm (p) kammow (31) = step
kammdybi (3/97) = to be mistaken
kammwrians (3/88) = misdeed
kana (1/04) = to sing
kannas (f) (p) kannasow (36) = messenger
kans kansrann (3/00) = a hundred per cent
kansblydhen (37) = century
kanstell (f) (p) kanstellow (13) = basket
gul kanstellow (13) = basket making
kapa (f) (p) kapys (46) = cape
kar (2) = friend
kara (7) = to love/like
y kara (18) = liked, used to like
kares (f) (3/00) = girl-friend
Karesk (26) = Exeter
karetys (singulative, karetysenn) (1/05) = carrots
karn (p) karnow (3/84) = hoof
karn (p) karnow (1/04) = rock pile, cairn
karnek (3/96) = rocky
karrek (f) kerrek(p) (1/02) = rock (“karregi” is an alternative plural form)
karr-tan (8) = motor-car
karr (p) kerri (1/05) = car
karrji (p) karrjiow (1/87) = garage
y karsen (7) = I would like
kas (3/04) = instance, case
kas (44) = hatred
kasadow (3/00) = hateful
27
K
Kastell Penndynas (18) = Pendennis Castle

kath (f) (p) kathes (1/04) = cat
kavoes (14) = (to) find
kay (p) kays, kayow (1/84) = (station) platform
kay (p) kays, kayow (3/84) = quay
ke (p) keow (l/87) = hedge, wall
keffrys (3/99) = also
keffrys ha (3/99) = as well as
kegin (f) (p) keginow (22) = kitchen
keher (p) keherow (3/00) = muscle
kehaval (3/99) = similar
keheveli (3/88) = to compare
kekeffrys (14) = also
kelmys (3/00) = tied up
kelorn (p) kelornow (1/86) = bucket
Keltek (1) = Celtic
kellys (11) = lost
Kembra (24) = Wales
Kernbrek (9) = Welsh
Welshman
kemmer! (28) = take! (imperative)
kemmeres (12) = to catch
kemmeres (29) = to take
2
a veu kemmerys (27) = was taken
kemmyn (8) = ordinary
kemmyn (3/99) = common
kemmys (3/97) = so much, as much
yn kemmyskys (32) = mixed up
kenderow (p) kenderwi) (1/05) = cousin
kentrevek (p) kentrevogyon (28) = neighbour
kenwerth (3/96) = trade
kenys (24) = sung
keniver (3/04) = so many, as many
kepar dell2 (7) = as, like (followed by verb)
kepar dell eus mab ha myrgh genen ni (7) = as we (too) have a son and daughter)
kepar ha (31) like (followed by noun)
2
kepar ha pan wrella nebonan merwel (28) = as if someone died
ker (6) = dear
ker (f) (p) keryow (26) = fortified city
kerdh (p) kerdhow (47) = walk
kerdhes (17) = to walk
kerdhes (38) = to march
kerens (48) = parents
(pl of kar = near relative)
kerensa (f) (33) = love
Kernewek (1) = Cornish
2
yma nebes teyluyow a dhysk Kernewek (7) = there are a few families that teach
28
K
Cornish
Kowethas an Yeth Kernewek (1) = Cornish Language Fellowship
Kernow (1) = Cornwall, Cornishman
park kerri (18) = car park
kerri-kreslu (3/97) = police cars
kert (p) kertys or kertow (1/05) = lorry
kerthow talvosek (3/00) = valuables
keskerdh (p) keskerdhow (36) = procession
keskernowyon (3/98) = fellow Cornishmen
keskewsel (12) = to converse
keskows (p) keskowsow (3/98) = conversation
keskusulya = to advise, counsel together
kessedhek (p) kessedhogow (3/04) = committee
mall o gans an kessedhek (3/97) = the committee was eager
kesskrifa (4) = to correspond
kesskrifer (2) = pen friend, correspondent
kessydhyans (3/86) = punishment
kesunya (3/89) = to join
keth (31) = same
an keth popti (3/97) = the baker’s shop itself
2
kettell (3/97) = as soon as
y’n kettermyn (3/88) = at the same time
keur (p) keuryow (1/87) = choir
keus (21) = cheese
Mis Kevardhu (23) = December
yn kever (9) = in respect of
kevnisenn (f) kevnis (c) (1/01) = spider
kevoethek (1/99) = powerful
kevrenn (f) (p) kevrennow (3/98) = connection
kevrin (f) (p) kevrinyow (3/03) = mystery, secret
y kevyn (3/02) = we find, we get
(kavoes = to find, get)
kevys (1/02) = found (p. part. of kavoes)
kevywi (1/01) = party
kewar (3/88) = correct
kewer (f) (1/05) = weather
kewsel (6) = to speak
ow kewsel (12) = talking
kewsys (24) = spoken
keyn (p) keynow (3/02) = back
ki (p) keun (1/04) = dog
kig (21) = meat
kig (34) = flesh
kiger (p) kigoryon (1/85 = butcher
kilometer (7) = kilometre
klamdera (47) = to faint
klappya (3/05) = to chat
29
K
klav (19) = ill

klavekord (3/84) = clavichord
klavji (p) klavjiow (1/86) = hospital
klavjiores (f) (p) klavjioresow (1/03) = nurse
kledh (1/87) = left (hand)
kledh (1/02) = north
kledh-barth (3/99) = north
kledha (p) kledhedhyow (24) = sword
kleger (p) klegerow (3/96) = cliff
kler (3/98) = clear
klerhe (47) = to explain
kleves (p) klevesow (1/01) = illness, disease
kleves rudh (3/84) = measles
klokk (p) klokkys, klokkow (1/89) = clock
kloppek (39) = lame
klywes (16) = to hear
klywes (41) = to feel, experience
klywes (43) = to smell
klyw! (1/03) = hear!
knouk (1/83) = knock
knoukya orth (1/88) = to knock on/at
gwydhenn know (f) (48) = hazel tree
kocha (14) = carriage
y’n kocha ma (16) = in this carriage
koedha (23) = to fall
koedha (38) = to happen
koedha yn edrek (3/85) = to be remorseful, penitent
koes (p) koesow 24) = wood, forest
koffi (8) = coffee
eus koffi? (11) = is there any coffee?
koffiji (4) = café
kok (7) = fishing boat
koll (3/98) = loss
kollell (f) (p) kellylli (1/87) = knife
kollenki (3/85) = to swallow, gobble up
kolonnek (37) = good-hearted
kolonnekter (47) = bravery
kommolek (1/85) = cloudy
kommolenn (f) (p) kommol (14) = cloud
kompes (3/85) = level
konin (p) konines (1/05) = rabbit
konna (p) konnaow (34) = neck
konna-tir (1) = peninsula
konnyk (31) = clever
kons (p) konsow (3/88) = pavement
konstryna (3/86) = to compel
konvedhes (6) = to understand
30
K
war neb kor (3/84) = in some way

lili Korawys (33) = daffodils
(Korawys = Lent)
korev (8) = beer
korf (p) korfow (26) = body
korn (p) kernow (26) = corner
kortes (8) = polite
kosel (3/96) = quiet, gentle
koska (1/05) = to sleep
kostrel (p) kostrels (18) = flask
kota (p) kotow (1/04) = coat
koth (3/05) = old
kothni (3/02) = old age
kov (p) kovyow (24) = memory
2
kovadh (3/96) = record
kovadh (3/02) = record, rememberance
kowas (f) (p) kowasow (22) = shower
kowetha (2) = friends
kowethas-surheans (3) = insurance company
kowethes (f) (p) kowethesow (3/84) = female companion, mate
kowlek (3/85) = gluttonous
kows (p) kowsow (3/84) = talk
koynt (22) = strange
krambla (3/84) = to climb
kreft (f) (p) kreftow (3/86) = craft, skill
krena (3/02) = to shake
krevder (47) = strength
krer (p) kreryow (33) = relic
kres (7) = centre
kres (24) = peace
Mor Kres (3/96) = Mediterranean Sea
toemmheans kres (22) = central heating
kresenn (f) (p) kresennow (3/98) = centre
kreslu (1/98) = police
krev (23) = strong
kria (3/88) = to shout
krib (f) (p) kribow (3/96) = crest
Kristyon (p) Kristonyon (38) = Christian
Kristyones (f) (44) = Christian (f)
krodhvolas (16) = to complain
krogen (f) (p) kregyn (49) = skull
kroghen (f) (p) kreghyn (3/96) = hide
krollys (3/02) = curled
krow (p) krowyow (22) = shed
krowji (p) krowjiow (26) = cottage
31
K
krowshyns (p) krowshynsi (19) = cross-roads

kryghlemmel (3/88) = to somersault
kryjyans (f) (36) = belief
krys (p) krysyow (1/05) = shirt
krysi (3/97) = to believe
kudha (29) = to hide
kudhys (28) = covered
kudynn (f) (p) kudynnow (3/01) = problem
kul (1/85) = narrow
kulyek (p) kulyogyon (3/85) = cock
kuntell (1/97) = to collect, gather together
kuntellys (3/97) = assembled
(kuntelles = to assemble)
kuvder (47) = kindness
kuv (32) = kind
4
ow kwari (11) = playing
kwarter (p) kwartrys (1/00) = quarter
kwartron (26) = quarter
2
ny wodhya mar kwre gweles (38) = he did not know whether he would see
mar4 kwrella den hy gweles (31) = if anyone saw her
kyfeyth (21) = pickle, jam
kylgh (p) kylghyow (43) = circle
mar4 kyllir (32) = whether it is possible
kyn (3/01) = although
kyns (11) = before
2
kyns an Sowson dhe dhos (27) = before the Saxons came
kyns i dhe2 dhehweles (8) = before they return
kyns pell (33) = before long
kyns y 2 vos re dhiwedhes (26) = before it is too late
kynsa gradh (13) = first grade
Kynyav (17) = Autumn
kyni (41) = to lament
kynth yw (3/97) = although it is
2
a wra kinyewel (8) = dine
kyrghes (3/85) = to fetch
kyst (f) (p) kystyow (1/04) = box
kyst (f) (p) kystyow (27) = box
kystenn (f) (p) kystennow (27) = small box
kyttrin (p) kyttrinyow (1/04) = bus
kywlet (28) = coverlet
L
ladha (1/99) = to kill
32
L
lagha (f) (p) laghys (1/03) = law

lagas (p) lagasow, dual dewlagas (1/05) = eye
lagatta (3/02) = to stare
lagha(f) (p) laghys (1/03) = law
lann (3/05) = church site
Lannstefan (1/02) = Launceston
Lannstefan (41) = Launcestan
lavar (p) lavarow (27) = word
lavrek (p) lavrogow (1/05) = trousers
rag lavurya (8) = (in order) to travel
le (p) leow (1/01) = place
yn le (11) = instead of
ledan (1/85) = broad
ledanna (3/99) = more widely
leder (3/96) = slope
ledya (3/85) = to lead
lel (36) = loyal
lemmyn (3/88) = but, except
lemmel (29) = to beat (heart)
lemmel (3/85) = to jump
lemmyn (11) = now
lenki (3/85) = to swallow, eat
yn lent (26) = slowly
lenwel (44) = to fill
war y lergh (39) = behind him
dhe les (7) = interesting
dhe les (47) = important
lesa (1/01) = to spread
leskys (36) = burnt
(leski = to burn )
lester/lestri(p) = vessel
lester (p) lestri (3/01) = vessel
leth (1/05) = milk
lett (19) = delay
lett (p) lettys (1/88) = hindrance
lettya (31) = to prevent
lettya (3/87) = to delay
lester (p) lestri (3//89) = ship
leun a2 (23) = full of
leur (p) leuryow (3/84) = floor
leurlenn (f) (p) leurlennow (1/87) = carpet
lev (p) levow (27) = voice
leverel (14) = to say
2
a wra leverel (8) = say
leys (3/02) = mud, silt, slime
33
L
lien dorn (p) lienyow dorn (31) = handkerchief

lies (plus sing noun) (13) = many
py lies? (1/88) = how many?
lies hys (3/96) = many lengths
lieskweyth (27) = many times
li(f) (p) livyow (3/2) = lunch
linenn (f) (p) linennow (48) = line
liv (p) livow (39) = flood
livya (3/02) = to (eat) lunch
liw (p) liwyow (1/05) = colour
lo (f) (p) loyow (13) = spoon
loer (f) (31) = moon
loergann (3/84) = moonlight
loes (1/97) = grey
loesni (3/02) = greyness
Logh (3/98) = Looe
lorgh (p) lorghow (16) = (walking) stick
lorgh (p) lorghow (42) = staff
losow (21) = vegetables
lostenn (f) (p) lostennow (1/05) = skirt
Loundres (27) = London
lowarn (p) lewern (1/96) = fox
lowarth (p) lowarthyow (22) = garden
lowen (3) = happy
ass yw dydh lowen (12) = what a happy day it is!
lowena (f) (31) = joy
lowenek (3/85) = joyful
lowr (3/84) = enough, quite
da lowr (1/85) = very well
byghan lowr (9) = fairly small
war lowr (43) = careful enough
lows (3/86) = lax, careless
lu (p) luyow (49) = crowd
lu ervys (36) = army
lugarn (p) lugern (1/04) = lamp
Dy’ Lun (9) = Monday
dhe’n lyha (3/98) = at least
lili Korawys (33) = daffodils
(Korawys = Lent)
lynn (p) lynnow (3/01) = pond, pool
lys (f) (p) lysyow (3/84) = court, palace
Lyskerrys (3/98) = Liskeard
lyther (6) = letter
dre lyther (2) = by letter
lytherenn (f) (p)lytherennow (16) = letter of the alphabet
lytherennieth (3/99) = spelling
lytherow (2) = letters
34
L
lytherva (f) (p) lythervaow (1/98) = post office

lyvrow (3) = books
2
na wra lywya (19) = don’t drive
lywya (18) = to drive a car
lywyer (p) lywyoryon (1/98) = driver
M
ma nag eus (22) = so there is not
ma nag eus megi (14) = where there is no smoking
ma’n dibennens i (27) = that they should behead him
mab (3) = son
kepar dell eus mab ha myrgh genen ni (7) = (as we (too) have a son and daughter
mab-den (24) = mankind
maga (3/84) = to bring up
gwra magla! (19) = change gear!
magor (f) (p) magoryow (3/03) = ruin
mall (3/04) = eagerness, haste
mall o gans an kessedhek (3/97) = the committee was eager
mamm (f) (p) mammow (19) = mother
mammskrif (3/03) = manuscript
mamm-wynn (f) (p) mammow-gwynn (3/05) = grandmother
mammyeth (f) Yowann (1) = John’s mother tongue
managhes (f) (p) managhesow (33) = nun
managhti (p) managhtiow (26) = monastery, minster
eglos managhti (f) (29) = minster-church
maner (f) (p) (34) = manner
ny2 .... mann (19) = not at all
manorji (p) manorjiow (3/96) = manor house
Manow (3/99) = Isle of Man
mappa (p) mappaow (3/02) = map
mar4 (plus verb) (27) = if
mar2 (28) = so, such
2
mar bell avel (41) = as far as
4
mar kwrella den hy gweles (31) = if anyone saw her
mar4 kyllir (32) = whether it is possible
mar pleg (6) = please
mar4 teffa (37) = if had come
heb mar (7) = of course
2 4
ny wodhya mar kwre gweles (38) = He did not know whether he would see
35
M
margh (p) mergh (1/04) = horse

marghek (p) marghogyon (3/84) = horseman
Maria2 Wynn (28) = Blessed Mary
marnas (2) = except
ny .... marnas (2) = only
marner (p) marners (1/05) = sailor
marow (23) = dead
martesen (24) = perhaps
marth (27) = surprise
mas (1/03) = good (morally)
mata kabynn (3/00) = cabin mate
mater (13) = (school) subject
may 5 (plus verb) (26) = in which, where
maylyer (p) maylyers (1/00) = envelope
maw (p) mebyon (1/03) = boy
megys (3/04) = raised, reared
mellyon (c) mellyonenn (s) 1/03) = violets, clover
men (p) meyn (1/03) = stone
meni (3/00) = crew
meur aga marth (16) = to their great surprise
Mis Me (23) = May
yn-medh (9) = says
medhel (47) = soft
yn-medhons i (13) = they say
medhyk (p) medhygyon (1/89) = doctor
medhyk dens (1/87) = dentist
medra (3/02) = to notice, observe
megi (16) = to smoke
megi difennys (14) = no smoking
megys da (3/84) = well brought up
melin (f) (p) melinyow (1/89) = mill
melyn (24) = yellow
men (p) meyn (3/02) = stone
(breaking the normal rule, the plural mutates after “an”, i.e. “an veyn”.)
Men Omborth (3/86) = Logan Rock
toeth men (3/84) = full speed
mengleudh (p) mengleudhyow (3/05) = quarry
menowgh (21) = often
Menporth (18) = Maenporth
menydh (p) menydhyow (18) = hill
mer (p) meras, meryon (28) = reeve
Dy’ Mergher (29) = Wednesday
merji (29) = reeve’s house
mernans (3/99) = death
merwel (23) = to die
mes (6) = but
36
M
yn-mes a2 (23) = out of

Mis Metheven (23) = June
metya orth (9) = to meet
meur (18) = big
meur aga marth (16) = to their great surprise
meur ras (9) = thank you
meur y dros (1/84) = noisy
Bardh Meur (24) = Grand Bard
Gonn meur ras dhis a’th lyther (7) = Thank you very much for your letter
meur y sorr (1/98) = very angry
meurgerys (49) = much loved
Dy’ Meurth (9) = Tuesday
Mis Meurth (23) = March
mevys (3/00) = excited
mil (p) miles (28) = animal
mildir (p) mildiryow (46) = mile
minhwerthin (1/04) = to smile
minhwerthin (29) = to smile
mires orth (12) = to look at
gwra mires! (19) = look!
mis (4) = month
nans yw unn mis (11) = a month ago
modrep (f) (p) modrebedh (21) = aunt
moen (3/05) = ore
moen (1/96) = thin
moes (f) (p) moesow (13) = table
molleth (f) (p) mollothow (34) = curse
mona (3/89) = money
mones (3/02) = to go (variant form of “mos”)
mor (p) moryow (18) = sea
Mor Kres (3/96) = Mediterranean Sea
mordid (3/96) = tide
Mordir Nowydh (21) = New Zealand
mordonn (f) ,(p) mordonnow (17) = wave
moren (f) (p) moronyon (3/84) = girl
moredhek (43) = melancholy
morhogh (p) morhoghes (1/98) = porpoise; dolphin
morrep (3/02) = sea-side, sea board
morvargh (p) morvergh (1/97) = seahorse
morvleydh (p) morvleydhi (1/97) = shark
moryon (c) (3/01) = ants
mos (17) = to go
mos erbynn (28) = to meet
mos ha bos (42) = to become
a2 wra mos (8) = go
2
a wrug mos (14) = went
2
37
M
mos skat (1/01) = abandon (of mine works)

mostys (3/87) = dirty
movyans (26) = movement
mowes (f) (p) mowysi (24) = girl
moy a’th teylu (7) = more about your family
moyha (26) = most
my (6) =I
my a2 garsa eva (8) = I would like to drink
my re beu (12) = I have been
my re2 gollas (11) = I have lost
myghtern (p) myghternedh (24) = king
mygyl (29) = mild
myns (12) = quantity
mynysenn (f) (p)mynysennow (14) = minute
myrgh (f) (3) = daughter
kepar dell eus mab ha myrgh genen ni (7) = as we have a son and daughter
y’ga mysk (9) = among them
y’ga mysk 13) = including
yn-mysk (24) = among
myttin da! (11) = good morning!
myttinweyth (11) = in the morning
N
na2 bortha own (44) = who was not afraid
na2 ve (34) = but for
na2 wra ankevi! (19) = don’t forget!
na2 wra argya (11) = don’t quarrel
na2 wrug (14) = no, I haven’t
na2 ylli (46) = who could not
nabell (3/02) = not far (not in Gerlyver Kres)
neppyth a’n par na (7) = something like that
ny2 ... na ... na (4) = neither nor
y’n pols na (44) = at that moment
Nadelik (23) = Christmas
nag an eyl nag y 2 gila (33) = neither the one nor the other
nag esa na fella (3/97) = that there were no longer
ma nag eus (22) = so that there is not
nag yw (13) = it is not
ny2 nammenowgh (29) = not often
38
N
naneyl na (3/85) = neither nor

nans (p) nansow (1/04) = valley
nans yw (1/97) = ago
2
war-nans an vre (3/84) = down the hill
nans o moy es (3/97) = for more than
naswydh (f) (p) naswydhyow (3/86) = needle
neb (28) = some
neb deg (13) = about ten
neb tre (24) = some town
heb neb mar (3/84) = without any doubt
war neb kor (3/84) = in any way
nebes (7) = a few
nebes (18) = somewhat
yma nebes teyluyow a2 dhysk Kernewek (7) = there are a few families that teach
Cornish
kepar ha pan 2 wrella nebonan merwel (28) = as if someone died
neghys (1/02) = denied (past participle of nagha)
negys (p) negysyow (28) = business
neppyth (16) = something
neptra (37) = something
nerth (p) nerthow (31) = strength
nerthek (27) = strong
nesa dhe (3/96) = to approach
nessa (13) = second
nessa (1/86) = next
nessa (26) = to approach
(this should be corrected to nesa dhe as above)
chi nessa (12) = next door
neusenn (f) (3/86) = thread
neusennys (3/02) = threaded
neuvya (17) = to swim
poll neuvya (3/96) = swimming pool
nev (p) nevow (3/88) = heaven
neyth (p) neythow (1/05) = nest
ni (7) = we
kepar dell eus mab ha myrgh genen ni) (7) = as we (too) have a son and daughter
on ni (12) = we are
nija (3/88) = to fly
nith (f) (p) nithow (1/86) = niece
niver (p) niverow (17) = number
niwl (p) niwlow (1/97) = fog
39
N
noeth (36) = bare

troes noeth (3/96) = bare foot
norvys (3/01) = earth
nos (f) (p) nosow (1/97) = night
nosweyth (1/05) = at night
nowodhow (1/04) = news
nowydh (13) = new
flamm nowydh (22) = brand new
Mordir Nowydh (21) = New Zealand
noy (p) noyens (1/02 = nephew
2
ny allav (6) = I cannot
ny2 allsons i (1/83) = they could not
ny2 .... denvydh (29) = not anyone
ny2 .... ger vydh (29) = no word at all
2
ny gews (2) = does not speak
2
ny2 .... mann (19) = not at all
ny2 .... na .... na (4) = neither nor
ny2 .... nammenowgh (29) = not often
ny2 .... saw (37) = only
2
ny wodhya mar kwre gweles (38) = he did not know whether he would see
ny’n jevo (28) = did not have
ny ... marnas (2) = only
2
a ny wodhesta? (13) = don’t you know?
nyhewer (1/02) = last night
nyns eus denvydh (7) = there is no-one
(diank = to escape)
nyns o re dewl dhe2 weles (33) = it was not too dark to see
O
o (19) = was
(bos = to be)
fatell o (26) = how it was
ober (p) oberow (1/81) = work, job
a’th ober (7) = about your work
hi a ober (3) = she works
40
O
i a2 wra oberi (8) = they work

oela (44) = to weep
oes (p) oesow (23) = age, period
Oferenn (f) (29) = Mass
oferyas (p) oferysi (3/85) = priest
offrynn (p) offrynnow (49) = offering
ogas (31) = nearly
ogas dhe2 (8) = near
ogas ha (with number) (7) = about
ogatti (3/00) = nearly
ol (p) olow (3/01) = trace
oll an bys (11) = everybody
pub den oll (18) = everybody
ollgalloesek (3/88) = almighty
Men Omborth (3/86) = Logan Rock
omdenna (3/04) = to retire, retreat
omdhiskwedhes (31) = to appear
omdhisygha (3/04) = to quench one’s thirst
omdhiwiska (1/98) = to undress oneself
omdhon (31) = to behave oneself
omglywes (1/83) = to feel
omgommendya (3/87) = to introduce oneself
omgrullya (3/84) = to curl up
a omguntell (9) = who meet
omhedhi (3/88) = to stop oneself
omhwelys (3/86 ) = knocked down
(omhweles = to knock down)
omladh (37) = to fight
omlesa (3/96) = to spread out
omlowenhe (3/99) = to enjoy
omlowenhes (3/00) = joyful
omma (7) = here
omri (1/98) = to surrender
omrians (38) = surrender
omrolya (19) = to enrol
2
omsettya war (37) = to attack
omsoena (28) = to cross oneself
omweres (22) = to manage
omwiska (1/98) = to dress oneself
omwitha (3/88) = to look after oneself
omwolghi (1/98) = to wash oneself
omwovynn (26) = to wonder
on ni (12) = we are
onyon (c) onyonenn (s) onyonennow (p) (1/03) = onion
ordena (3/97) = to arrange
ordys (3/99) = holy orders
41
O
orth penn (1) = at the end (of)

orth y 2 dreghi (23) = cutting it
derivas orth (16) = to inform
goslowes orth (1/84) = to listen to
metya orth (9) = to meet
mires orth (12) = to look at
ottava (11) = here he is
ottavy (3/04) = here I am
ottomma (14) = here is
ottomma pyth a dhevis (3/85) = this is excellent
unn our (19) = one hour
our (p) ouryow (3/04) = hour (length of time)
ov vy (6) = I am
ova (32) = he was
ass ova skwith (26) = how tired he was!
3
ow ( 7 ) = my
ow honan (26) = myself
ow kewsel (12) = talking
gwynn ow bys (47) = I am happy
ow4 kwari (11) = playing
fatell esowgh hwi ow spena? (12) = how you spend?
4
y5 fedha an howl ow trehevel (38) = the sun would be rising
own (3/86) = fear
na2 bortha own (44) = who was not afraid
ownek (34) = frightened
owr (1/02) = gold
owrek (3/88) = golden
owth oberi yth esa (11) = he was working
oy (p) oyow (1/05) = egg
P
pagan (37) = pagan
palas (23) = to dig
palfray (46) = palfrey
yn palster (3/88) = in abundance
palys (p) palesys, palesyow (3/84) = palace
pan (p) pannow (3/88) = cloth
pan 2 (9) = when (not in question)
2
pan (3/84) = since
2
bys pan (plus verb) (39) = until
42
P
kepar ha pan2 wrella nebonan merwel (28) = as if someone died

pana (3/03) = what
paper (p) paperyow (42) = paper
a’n par na (14) = like that
py par? (9) = what kind (of)?
para (p) parys (3/85) = flock
pareusi (43) = to prepare
park (p) parkow (1/04) = field, enclosure, close, park
parys (3/02) = ready
pas (p) pasys (3/00) = step, pace
Pask (37) = Easter
passya (17) = to spend (time)
eus passyes (12) = which has passed
yn termyn eus passyes (27) = in time gone by
payn (p) paynys (3/85) = pain, torment
pebys (3/97) = baked
(pobas = to bake)
pedrek (46) = square
peghes (p) peghosow (3/85) = sin, offence
peldroes (11) = football
pell (24) = far
kyns pell (33) = before long
pella (1/86) = longer
pellder (32) = distance
pellgewsel (22) = to telephone
pellgowser (22) = telephone
a2 wrussa pellhe (28) = would drive away
pellwolok (f) (11) = television
penn (p) pennow (18) = top, headland
orth penn (1) = at the end (of)
penn-bloedh (1/89) = birthday
Kastell Penndynas (18) = Pendennis Castle
pennsevik (p) pennsevigyon (36) = noble
pennseythun (f) (11) = weekend
pennsita (f) (p) pennsitys (3/87) = capital/main/big city
pennskol (f) (4) = university
penn-tir (p) penn-tiryow (1/88) = headland
pennwisk (p) pennwiskow (3/85) = head-dress
perghenn (p) perghennow (3/99) = owner
peryll (43) = danger
pes da (1/83) = pleased
drog pes (1/83) = cross, displeased
pesya (16) = to continue
peuns (p) peunsow (21) = pound
43
P
p’eur5? (plus verb) (8) = when?

peurva ( f) (p) peurvaow (3/85) = pasture
pibow sagh (fpl) (3/85) = bagpipes
piga (39) = to prod, goad
pinta (p) pintys (1/96) = pint
plas (p) plasow (3/88) = mansion
pleg hyns (3/84) = bend (in road)
plegya (1/89) = to fold
mar pleg (6) = please
plegadow (3/86) = disposition, inclination
plegadow (3/98) = pleasing
2
plen an dre (3/97) = town square
plen an varghas (3/84) = market place
ple’th? (plus verb with vowel) (1/05) = where?
plos (1/05) = dirty
plyw (f) (p) pluyow (3/97) = parish
pluvenn (f) (p) pluvennow (13) = pen
plynchya (3/84) = to blink
po (4) = or
pobel (f) (p) poblow (3/98) = people, nation
poenya (1/04) = to run
poenya (33) = to run
poenyer (3/84) = runner
poes (1/04) = heavy
poes (p) poesow (38) = weight
anella poes (3/96) = to breathe deeply
poesa (3/85) = to lean, rest
poesa (3/87) = to lower, bend down
poester (46) = weight
poken (3/04) = or else, otherwise
poll neuvya (3/96) = swimming pool
poll pri gwynn (p) pollow (3/05) = china clay pit
pols berr (1/87) = a short while
pons (p) ponsyow (1/97) = bridge
popti (p) poptiow (3/97) = bakery, baker’s shop
poran (3/01) = exactly, rightly, quite
poran a-woeles (3/84) = just below
porres (26) = urgently
res porres yw (1/86) = it is essential
porth (p) porthow (3/01) = harbour, gate
Porth (3/02) = Par
Porthia (3/99) = St Ives
Portyngal (1/02) = Portugal
potatys (1/03) = potatoes
pow (p) powyow (1/85) = country
Pow Frynk (2) = France
Pow Sows (17) = England
44
P

powes (12) = rest
pows (f) (p) powsyow (24) = robe
pows (f) (p) powsyow (47) = dress
yn poynt da (9) = very well
poyntya (24) = to point
prag na2 wrug ev? (11) = why didn’t he do?
praga (3/96) = reason
praktisya (38) = to practise
pras (p) prasow (24) = meadow
pratt (p) prattys (31) = trick
preder (p) prederow (28) = thought
prena (18) = to buy
prena gwara (21) = to go shopping
prenn (p) prennyer (22) = stick
prenn (43) = timber
prenn (1/02) = wood/timber
pri- gwynn (3/02) = china clay
pris (p) prisyow (21) = price
profoes (p) profoesi (3/88) = prophet
profyans (48) = offering
pronter (p) pronteryon (26) = priest
prydydh (p) prydhyon (3/02) = poet
prykk ughella (48) = highest point
prys (p) prysyow (3/85) = time
prys (p) prysyow (3/87) = meal
prys boes (3/88) = meal
2
a gynsa prys (22) = for the first time
yn gwella prys (14) = fortunately
prysk (c) (3/02) = bushes
pryv (p) pryves, pryvyon (1/05) = worm
pub (4) = every
pub treveth (3/00) = every time
puber (21) = pepper
pubonan (1/87) = every one
pup-prys (29) = always
puptra (3/97) = everything
puptydh (3/04) = everyday (not found in Gerlyver Kres)
pur2 (3) = very
2
pur dha (8) = very well
pur skwith ov vy (11) = I am very tired
py dydh? (9) = what day?
py lies? (1/97) = how many?
py par? (9) = what kind (of)?
pychya (39) = to thrust
pygemmys? (12) = how many?
45
P
pymp eur (9) = five o’clock

pymthek (3) = fifteen
pynag (3/02) = whatever, whoever
pysi (49) = to be, request
pysk (p) puskes (12) = fish
pyskador (4) = fisherman
2
dha vos pyskador (7) = that you are a fisherman
pyskessa (8) = to fish
pan nag usi ev ow pyskessa (8) = when he is not fishing
pyth? (1) = what?
pyth (p) pythow (3/88) = wealth
pyth an bys (3/89) = worldly wealth
pyth esa war hy thowl (3/96) = what she intended to do
ottomma pyth a dhevis (3/85) = this is excellent
R
rag (3) = for
rag (17) = in order to
rag bos (22) = because there is
rag dybri (9) = (in order) to eat
rag henna (12) = therefore
rag lavurya (8) = (in order) to travel)
rag ow bos (27) = because I am
rag y2 weres (9) = to help him
deun yn rag! (14) = come on
2
ev a dhe glas rag dyski (1) = he goes to a class (in order) to learn
ragdha (22) = for them
ragown (42) = presentiment
rann (f) (2) = part
ranndir (36) = district
rannyeth (f) (p) rannyethow (3/99) = dialect
meur ras (9) = thank you
re (adverb) (1/01) = too, too much, too many
re (pronoun) (33) = some
re bia (26) = had been
re2 dhegemmeras (6) = have received
re hwarva (28) = has happened
re’m tas! (32) = by my father
2
re vawrsa (28) = had died
2
re wrussa dos (26) = had come
re2 wrussa triga (26) = had lived
46
R
kyns y 2 vos re2 dhiwedhes (26) = before it is too late

y re beu (12) = I have been
2
my re gollas (11) = I have lost
2 2
redya (7) = to read
remenant (49) = remains
res (33) = given
(ri = to give)
res eth (8) = has gone
res veu (19) = it was necessary
resek (3/86) = to run
resek-mergh (1/04) = to horse ride
restra (3/00) = to arrange
reun (3/00) = (animal’s) hair, fur
rew (23) = frost
dyenn rew (18) = ice cream
rewlys yw (2) = it is governed
ri (11) = to give
riv (p) rivow (3/00) = number
ro! (11) = give! (imperative)
ro (p) rohow (36) = gift
Roazhon (4) = Rennes (Breton form)
roes-fardellow (14) = luggage rack
rolya (17) = to roll
ros (past tense of ri) (26) = gave
ros (23) = roses
ros (f) (p) rosow (1/01) = wheel, circle
ros (p) rosyow (3/05) = moor
rosenn (f) (p) rosennow (3/88) = roses
rosya 3/03) = to stroll
rudh (24) = red
kleves rudh (3/24) = measles
ryb (1/89) = by, alongside
rybdho (26) = by him
rych (36) = rich
ryccha (3/01) = richer
rydh (3/00) = free
rygdhi (22) = for her
rynn (p) rynnow (1/02) = promontory/point of land
Rysoghen (3/99) = Oxford
47
S
S
sad (37) = serious
Dy’ Sadorn (9) = Saturday
sagh (p) seghyer (14) = bag
sagh-geyn (3/96) = rucksack
salow (3/00) = safe
sans (p) sens (28) = saint
sans (33) = holy
2
An Drynsys Sans (48) = The Holy Trinity
a’ga sav (24) = standing
a’y sav (44) = standing
savla (p) savleow (3/04) = position, status, standpoint
2
ny saw (37) = only
2
sawya (39) = to save
se (p) seow (34) = throne
sedhi (28) = to set (sun)
segys (3/02) = soaked
sel (f) (p) (38) = basis
selys (3/02) = founded, based
semlant (p) semlans (3/02) = appearance
Sen Malo (4) = St Malo
Senedh (3/99) = Parliament
seni (3/84) = to sound, ring
seren (32) = prayer for the dead
ser prenn(p) seri prenn (1/86) = carpenter
serrys (1/87) = angry, worried
serth (3/03) = steep
serthi (3/00) = to stand on end
servyades (f) (4) = waitress
sesya (39) = to seize
settya (22) = to lay
settya dalghenn yn (39) = to grab
settya war2 (34) = to attack
seulabrys (3/96) = already
sevel (26) = to stand
sevia (3/00) = to pick strawberries
sewena (f) (3/97) = success
48
S
seweni (13) = to succeed

seythun (f) (p) seythunyow (12) = week
seythun a2 dheu (14) = coming week
shoppa (p) shoppys (3/86) = workshop
shyndya (27) = to damage
sigaret (14) = cigarette
Sin an 2 Grows (36) = Processional Cross
sina (1/02) = to sign
sita (f) (p) sitys (3/88) = city
skaffa (19) = faster
skant (3/01) = barely
skath (f) (p) skathow (18) = boat
mos skat (1/01) = abandon (of mine works)
skav (3/84) = nimble
yn skav (28) = quickly
skavell (f) (p) skavellow (26) = stool, bench
skethennek (3/88) = tattered
skeul a brenn (3/96) = wooden ladder
skeusi (3/84) = to take fright
skevens (26) = lungs
skians (36) = knowledge
skiansek (36) = wise
skiber (f) (p) skiberyow (3/88) = barn
skoedh (f) (p) skoedhow (32) = shoulder
skoedhya (47) = to support
skoellya (28) = to waste
skoellya (39) = to shed
skoellyek (3/96) = wasteful
skoellyon (28) = rubbish
skol (f) (3) = school
yn skol (9) = in school
ha’n fleghes yn skol (9) = while the children are in school
skolheyk (p) skolheygyon (3/98) = scholar
skoloryon (p) (3/03) = scholars
yn skon (6) = soon
skonya (36) = to refuse
skovarn (f) (d) diwskovarn (16) = ears
skovva (f) (p) skovvaow (3/02) = shelter, shade
skown (p) skownyow (3/02) = bench
skrif (11) = writing, essay
skrif dhymm (6) = write to me
a skrif (2) = writes
skrifa (6) = to write
skrifow (11) = essays
skrifenyades (3) = secretary (f)
skrifennyas (11) = secretary (m)
skubell (f) (p) skubellow (1/05) = broom
skwier (3/99) = squire
49
S
skwith (11) = tired

ass ova skwith! (26) = how tired he was!
skila (33) = reason
skyll (23) = shoots
slynkya (1/87) = to slide, skid
slynkya (3/88) = to slip
soedh (f) (11) = job, position
soedhek (p) soedhogyon (33) = official
soedhogel (3/04) = official
soedhva (f) (3) = office
sojet (p) sojets (38) = subject
solempnyta (24) = ceremony
soler (p) soleryow (3/04) = upper floor
son (p) sonyow (3/99) = sound
sorn (p) sornow (3/02) = nook, cranny
sorr (44) = anger
meur y sorr (1/98) = very angry
sort (p) sortes 1/05) = hedgehog
souder (p) soudoryon (36) = soldier
sowdhenys (3/05) = confused, bewildered
soweth! (21) = what a pity!
soweth (1/97) = unfortunately
Sows (p) Sowson (26) = Saxon
Pow Sows (17) = England
Sowses (f) (44) = Englishwoman
Sowsnek (1) = English
kyns an Sowson dhe dhos (27) = before the Saxons came
spas (3/00) = time
Spaynek (13) = Spanish
spena (12) = to spend (time)
speshyal (3/84) = special
splann (18) = bright
splann (23) = splendid
splanna (1/88) = to shine
sten (1/02) = tin
stenor (p) stenoryon = tinner
stevell (f) r(p) stevellow (1/88) = room
stevell omwolghi (f) (22) = bathroom
stevell wortos (1/89) = waiting-room
stordi (3/86) = self-willed
strel (p) strelyow (31) = tapestry
stret (p) stretys (1/85) = street
strif (p) strifow (3/04) = strife, fight
studhya (11) = to study
wosa studhya (11) = after studying
studhyer (4) = student
50
S
studh (p) studhyow (42) = state

tebel studh (43) = evil state
styr (p) styryow (3/05) = meaning
styrya (42) = to explain
sugra (21) = sugar
Dy’ Sul (9) = Sunday
kowethas-surheans (3) = insurance company
sygerra (19) = slower
sygh (1/05) = dry
synsi (24) = to hold
synsi (38) = to feel
sywya (31) = to follow
T
yn5 ta (17) = well
tal (p) talyow (32) = forehead
tamm (p) temmyn (1/03) = bit, piece
Tamsin (13) = girl’s name
tan (p) tanyow (14) = fire
karr-tan (8) = motor-car
tanow (47) = thin
tanvaglenn (f) (p) tanvaglennow (22) = grate
tardh (p) tardhow (3/97) = explosion
tardha (3/02) = to explode
tas (p) tasow (1/96) = father
re’m tas (32) = by my father!
tas-gwynn (p) tasow-gwynn (1/02) = grandfather
tas-gwynn (26) = grandfather
tava (3/01) = touch
taves (p) tavosow (3/00) = tongue
tavoseth(f) (p) tavosethow (3/99) = idiom
te (21) = tea
tebel stuth (43) = evil state
mar4 teffa (37) = if he had come
teg (23) = beautiful
tekka (29) = more beautiful
tekter (23) = beauty
temmik (3/88) = a bit
tenkys (3/88) = destiny
tenna (39) = to pull
tennis (1/03) = tennis
terlentri (3/03) = to glisten
termyn (12) = time
51
T

ternos (43) = the next day
ternos vyttin (3/00) = the following morning
terroes (46) = ruins
terrys (1/89) = broken
(terri = to break)
tesenn (f) (p) tesennow (21) = cake
testenn (f) (p) testennow (3/98) = subject
y5 teu (17) = comes
(dos = to come)
5
y teuth (dos) (19) = came
tevi (22) = to grow
yn tevri (3/00) = indeed
tew (1/97) = fat
tewl (16) = dark
tewlder (31) = darkness
tewlel (47) = to throw
teylu (3) = family
drefenn an teylu dhe vos dhe2 ves (23) = because the family has gone away
moy a’th teylu (7) = more about your family
teyluyow (7) = families
2
yma nebes teyluyow a dhysk Kernewek = there are a few families that teach
Cornish
teyrgweyth (24) = three times
teythyek (3/02) = local
pyth esa war hy thowl (3/96) = what she intended to do
tiek (p) tiogyon (1/01) = farmer
yn tien (3/99) = completely
tir (p) tiryow (3/05) = land
konna tir (1) = peninsula
tira (3/84) = to land
to (p) tohow (22) = roof
toellys (3/02) = cheated
toemm (1/02) = hot
toemm (26) = hot
toemheans-kres (22) = central heating
tokyn (p) toknys (1/84) = ticket
tokynva (f) (p) tokynvaow (1/84) = ticket office
toll (f) (p) tollow (1/97) = tax
ton (p) tonyow (49) = accent
tontya (3/87) = to be cheeky
torn (p) tornys (29) = time
toesenn (f) (3/88) = ear of corn
toth men (3/84) = full speed
tochya (32) = to touch
tornyas (p) tornysi (3/04) = tourist
toul (p) toulys (22) = tool
towl (p) towlow (1/01) = plan
52
T
towl (p) towlow (49) = plan

towlenn (f) towlennow (1/89) = programme
tra (f) (p) taklow (12) = thing
tramor (3/05) = overseas
travalya (1/04) = to walk far, travel, trudge
ny .... travydh (23) = nothing
trebuchya (3/00) = stumble
treweythyow (7) = sometimes
tre (f) (8) = home
tre (f) (p) trevow (17) = town
neb tre (24) = some town
tregher (p) treghoryon (3/86) = tailor
treghi (23) = to cut
5 4
Y fedha an howl ow trehevel (38) = the sun would be rising
tremena (49) = to pass
tremena der (28) = to pass through
tremenyas (14) = passenger
tremmynn (3/96) = aspect
tren (p) trenow (14) = train
trestya (27) = to trust
treth (p) trethow (17) = beach
tretha (39) = to cross (water)
treusa (G.M. treusi) (3/96) = to cross
trevas (f) (p) trevasow (3/88) = harvest
treveglos(f) (p) treveglosyow (1/04) = churchtown, village
treveglos (f) (p) trevow eglos (42) = (large) village
pub treveth (3/00) = every time
3
tri (8) = three
triga (3/97) = to live (somewhere)
re2 wrussa triga (26) = had lived
triger (p) trigoryon (3/88) = inhabitant
trigva (6) = address
trigys (1/03) = lived
trihorn (p) trihern (1/01) = triangle
trist (1/00) = sad
tristys (33) = sadness
triugens (21) = sixty
tro-askell (f) (p) tro-eskelli (1/05) = helicopter
trobel (43) = worry
troblys (26) = troubled
troe'lergh (p) troe’lerghow (3/03) = footpath
troes (p) treys (1/05) = foot
(N.B.) This plural form is more usual than
the dual form dewdroes)
bysyes troes (3/84) = toes
troes noth (3/96) = bare foot
troha ( 24 ) = towards
53
T
tromm (43) = sudden

tros (28) = noise
trufel (3/84) = idle, trifling
Truru (3) = Truro
ty (6) = you
ty dhe alloes (6) = that you can
tybi (43) = to think
tybyans (28) = fancy
tyli (1/97) = to pay
tynn (33) = strict
tynn (3/85) = sharp, cruel
U
ugens (21) = twenty
ugens mil (1/97) = twenty thousand
ughel (27) = high, loud
ughelder (3/88) = height
prykk ughella (48) = highest point
unn eur (9) = one o’clock
unn our (19) = one hour
unnek (11) = eleven
erbynn unnek eur (14) = by one o’clock
unnweyth (3/89) = once
yn unnsel (3/88) = only
unys (12) = united
usadow (3/97) = habit, custom
y’n usadow a (3/84) = in(to) the habit of
pan nag usi ev ow pyskessa (8) = when he is not fishing
uskis (1/98) = fast
yn uskis (3/96) = quickly
V
dew2 vargh (8) = 2 cv car
plen an varghas (3/84) = market place
re2 vawrsa (28) = had died
na2 ve (34) = but for
54
V
Bran Vendigeit (34) = Bran the Blessed

2
a vern (3/97) = important
2
ny vern (44) = it doesn’t matter
2
dhe ves (12) = away
2
dhe ves (3/84) = outside
2
a vester (8) = sir
veu (19) = was
(bos = to be)
goliys veu (27) = he was wounded
res veu (19) = it was necessary
2
Breten Veur (f) (1) = Great Britain
2
ny via (31) = would not be
2
a vog (14) = of smoke
2
dha vos pyskador (7) = that you are a fisherman
drefenn an teylu dhe vos dhe ves (23) = because the family has gone away
kyns y 2 vos re2 dhiwedhes (26) = before it is too late
war-nans an vre (3/84) = down the hill
den a vri (3/98) = famous man
a2 vynnis vy? (1/86) = did I want?
(mynnes = to want)
ov vy (6) = I am
(bos = to be)
yth esov vy (12) = I am
vydh (28) = will be
ny .... ger vydh (29) = no word at all
vydhav (7) = I shall be
2
Breten Vyghan (2) = Brittany
bys vykken (37) = for ever
2
a vynna (16) = wanted
ternos vyttin (3/89) = the following morning
vyajor (p) vyajoryon (3/88) = traveller
vyajya (14) = to go for a trip
vyajya (3/87) = to travel
W
war2 (7) = on
war lowr (43) = careful enough
war neb kor (3/84) = in some way
war y 2 anow (28) = on his lips
55
W

2
omsettya war (37) = to attack
settya war2 (34) = to attack
yn war (3/96) = carefully
war-barth (8) = together
war-dhelergh (39) = backwards
war-lergh (11) = behind
war-lergh (31) = after
warnedhi (13) = on it
war-rag (3/00) = forward
war-tu ha (3/97) = towards
2
a wayt (6) = hope
2 2
ev a2 werth (3) = he sells
dhe2 wir (13) = indeed, really
2
a ny wodhesta? (13) = don’t you know?
2
a wodhya (33) = knew
(godhvos = to know)
2
ny wodhya mar kwre gweles (38) = he did not know
whether he would see
a2 woer (24) = knows
2
ny woer (4) = does not know
2
ny wonn (32) = I do not know
(godhvos = to know)
2
heb worfenn (48) = endless
(gorfenn = end)
2
dh’y worfenna (14) = to finish it
a2 worthybis (14) = answered
a2 worthyp (8) = answers
wor’tiwedh (8) = at last
stevell-wortos (1/89) = waiting-room
wor’tu arall (31) = the other way
war’tu ha (18) = towards
a’y worwedh (26) = lying
wosa (11) = after
wosa studhya (11) = after studying
wostalleth (28) = at first
2
a wra (8) = does/do
2
a wra dehweles (8) = return
2
a wra kinyewel (8) = dine
2
a wra leverel (8) = say
2
a wra mos (7) = (do) go
2
a wra oberi (8) = work
2
na wra ankevi! (19) = don’t forget!
2
na wra argya! (11) = don’t quarrel!
56
W
na2 wra lywya! (19) = don’t drive!

2
a wre gasa (18) = used to leave
2
a2 wrug mos (14) = went
2
na wrug (14) = no, I haven’t
2
prag na wrug ev? (11) = why didn’t he do?
a2 wrussa pellhe (28) = would drive away
2
re wrussa dos (26) = had come
2
re wrussa triga (26) = had lived
(gul = to do/make)
2
Maria Wynn (28) = Blessed Mary
Y
y2 (2) = his
2
2
orth y dreghi (23) = cutting it
Y5 fedha (32) = there would be
y5 fedha an howl ow trehevel (38) = the sun would be rising
Y5 feu ynkleudhys (27) = it was buried
5
y feu leverys dhodho (11) = he was told
y5 fydh (23) = there will be
y5 fydh (24) = he will be
y’ga mysk (13) = including
2
yn y gever (1) = about him
2
an eyl, y gila (3/87) = the one, the other
2
nag an eyl, nag y gila (33) = neither the one nor the other
yn y2 gyrghyn (3/85) = round himself
y honan (8) = himself
y honan (38) = alone
hag ev y honan (28) = as he was alone
y5 hwelens (18) = they used to see
(gweles = to see)
y5 hyllens (18) = they could
2
gwell y jer (3/88) = bright and cheerful
y kara (18) = used to like
(kara = to like)
5
y teu (17) = comes
5
y teuth (19) = came
(dos = to come)
57
Y
kyns y2 vos re2 dhiwedhes (26) = before it is too late

yagh (47) = well (in health)
Yann (2) = Breton for “John”
yar (f) (p) yer (1/05) = hen
yarji (p) yarjiow (3/85) = hen house
yessans (3/85) = confession
yeth (f) (p) yethow (11) = language
yet (f) (p) (26) = gate
yeyn yw hi (23) = it is cold
2
na ylli (46) = who could not
2
na yllis (27) = so that it was not possible
2
ny yllons i (4) = they cannot
yma (3) = is, there is
yma dhedha (3) = they have
yma dhedhi (3) = she has
yma dhodho (3) = he has
yma genev (6) = I have
ympynnyon (3/98) = brains
y’n (3) = in the
y’n kettermyn (3/88) = at the same time
y’n kocha ma (16) = in this carriage
y’n usadow a (3/84) = in(to) the habit of
a-berth y’n (14) = into the
yn (1) = in
yn-dann alhwedh (3/84) = locked up
yn-danno (29) = under it
2
yn despit dhe (16) = in spite of
yn fals (3/85) = treacherously
yn hwir (1/96) = really
yn kever (9) = about
yn le (11) = instead of
yn lent (26) = slowly
yn-medh (9) = says
yn-medh (1/97) = said
yn-medhons i (13) = they say
2
yn-mes a (23) = out of
yn-mysk (24) = among
yn palster (3/88) = in abundance
yn skav (28) = quickly
yn skol (9) = in school
yn skon (6) = soon
5
yn ta (17) = well
58
Y
yn tevri (3/00) = indeed

yn tien (3/99) = completely
ynkleudhyas (27) = to bury
yn unnsel (3/88) = only
a-berth yn (4) = inside
bys yn (8) = until
bys yn (18) = as far as
koedha yn edrek (3/85) = to be remorseful/penitent
yn fyw (3/00) = alive
yn kyrghynn (3/97) = round about
deun yn rag! (14) = come on!
yn-mes (3/97) = outside
ha’n fleghes yn skol (9) = while the children are in school
yn uskis (3/96) = quickly
yn war (3/96) = carefully
yndella (1/87) = so
ynjinor (p) ynjinoryon (1/85) = engineer
ynkleudhyas (27) = to bury
y5 feu ynkleudhys (27) = it was buried
ynno (13) = in it
yns i (3) = they are
ynter (18) = between
yntra (31) = between
ynwedh (1) = also
Ynys Breten (27) = the Island of Britain
Dy’ Yow (9) = Thursday
yowynk (1/05) = young
yowynka (18) = younger
ys (coll) (3/88) = corn
ysenn (f) (col) ys (3/88) = (grain of) corn
yskynna (3/03) = to go up, climb
ystynna (3/96) = to stretch
ystynnans (3/97) = supplement, appendix
yth en (17) = we go
owth oberi yth esa (11) = he was working
ytho (31) = so
2
yv dha goffi (11) = drink your coffee
yw (1) = is
gwell yw genev (14) = I prefer
59
Y

rewlys yw (2) = it is governed
yeyn yw hi (23) = it is cold
nans yw (1/97) = ago
60

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What is the purpose of the Kernewek DRE LYTHER course?

What is the purpose of the Kernewek DRE LYTHER course?

What stationery is recommended for the course?

What stationery is recommended for the course?

KERNEWEK DRE LYTHER

Corn-Eng. (Q, X and Z are not in use.)

The third book is for translation and re-translation as explained below. On

Perfectionists should study the books themselves.

Letters are sounded as in English with the following exceptions:

A As in “bat” when followed by a doubled consonant e.g. dannvon (to send).

AW To rhyme with “how” e.g. glaw (rain).

AY To rhyme with “by” e.g. chayn (chain).

B Normally as in English but as P at the end of a word, unless followed by a

CH As in English e.g. chayn (chain).

DH Normally as TH in English in “this” - not as in “thin”. Sounds as TH in “thin”

E When followed by a doubled consonant or in an unstressed syllable, the sound

EU As in English “purr” or more accurately as in French “peur” e.g. beudhi (to

EY As in English “veil” e.g. bleydh (wolf).

G Normally as in English “get” (never as in “giant”). Sounds as English K at end

GH Sounds as the CH in Scottish “loch” or German “achtung”. The English

I Sounds as EE in “beet” e.g. gwir (true).

IW A fairly accurate pronunciation would probably be obtained by saying

K Normally as in English but as C at end of word if followed by a vowel.

O Normally as the vowel sound in “bought”, but as “pot” when followed by a

OE Approximately as in “toe” but avoiding the diphthong that tends to occur in

OU As OO in “boot” e.g. gour (husband).

OW As in “grow” e.g. down (deep), not as in “cow”.

Q Not used, being replaced by KW.

R Should always be sounded i.e. rolled in words like kar (friend).

U Usually pronounced as in French “tu”. The sound is sometimes used by

W See EW, IW and YW. Otherwise W sounds as in English.

X Not used, being replaced by KS.

Z Not in use (though Dr George is now suggesting it could usefully be

Double th is written “tth” and double gh as “ggh”. A vowel before a doubled

Glossary of Grammatical Terms.

Affirmative. An affirmative verb shows an action which does happen, as opposed to

Cardinal. A cardinal number is a normal number as used in counting, “one, two,

Clause. We are mainly concerned with expressions such as “when he came”,

Comparative. Adjectives ending in “-er”, such as “bigger, smaller” are called

Conditional. In the sentence “I would go if I could,” whether, in fact I go or not

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Direct Object. See “Object”

Feminine. See “Masculine.”

Imperfect. The imperfect tense of a verb shows an action which occurred

Indefinite Article. See “Definite Article”

Infinitive. See “Verb-Noun.”

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Interrogative Particle. See Dyskans 14. “Interrogative” means “connected with a

Mutation. This is a Celtic phenomenon with no English counterpart. See Dyskans

Negative. See “Affirmative.”

Plural. See “Singular.”

Preterite Tense. See “Past Tense.”

Pronoun. A word replacing a noun, and so avoiding repetition of a noun many

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Superlative. Refers to adjectives ending in “-est”. e.g. “greatest, longest, fastest.”

Vocative Particle. We sometimes use “O” before a noun in English in archaic or

1) Kernow. Mutations and Indefinite Article.

2) Breten Vyghan. Adjectives with Singular Nouns. “Yw”. Particle “a2.”