Story perspectives

Cornwall Secures Part III Status, Launches Go Cornish Schools

6/28/2026

Summary

Story summary

Cornwall achieved Part III recognition for the Cornish language, aligning it with other UK Celtic languages.
Cornwall Council held a ceremony at Lys Kernow to launch the Go Cornish school programme.
Councilor Frost said the status will help Cornish thrive, and Mark Trevethan called for funding because it is protected under UK agreements.
Thirty schools from Launceston to Penwith are in the programme and have displayed Cornish artwork at the council’s Truro headquarters.

History

Historical Context

The European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages, adopted in 1992, requires signatories to protect historic minority tongues. The United Kingdom ratified it for Welsh, Scots, Gaelic and Irish under Part II and Part III, while Cornish stayed under Part II until a 2025 upgrade; Cornwall Council’s new Part III status now mirrors Welsh and Gaelic safeguards and seeks funding for the Go Cornish programme.

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Story summary

Cornwall achieved Part III recognition for the Cornish language, aligning it with other UK Celtic languages.
Cornwall Council held a ceremony at Lys Kernow to launch the Go Cornish school programme.
Councilor Frost said the status will help Cornish thrive, and Mark Trevethan called for funding because it is protected under UK agreements.
Thirty schools from Launceston to Penwith are in the programme and have displayed Cornish artwork at the council’s Truro headquarters.

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