Lesson 1.3

Gero Nei Deski Kernuak! SWF: Gero’nei Desky Kernowek!
Revised Thursday 22nd October 2009

Lesson 1.3
Kenza Descanz – Radn Trei
SWF: Kensa Descans –Radn Trei
First Lesson – Part Three

Who you are, where you live and what you are.

Who are you?
Piw o whei? SWF: Piw o’whei?
(sounds like Eng. “pew”)

What is your name?
Pe hanaw o whei? SWF: Pe hanow o’whei?
(pe sounds like the letter p when you stutter)
(aw sounds like the first syllable of “orange”)

I am Petroc.
Petroc o vi. SWF: Petroc o’vy.

I am called Mary.
Maria henwez o vi. SWF: Maria henwys o’vy.

Where do you live?
Peleh era whei trigaz? SWF: Ple (or pe le) ero’whei trigys?
(do not pronounce era to rhyme with Vera but more like error)
(ple sounds a bit like p – lay, but don’t dwell on the y at the end)
(trigaz is a bit like English triggers)

Do you live in Cornwall?
Era whei trigaz en Kernow? SWF: Ero’whei trigys en Kernow?
(strictly speaking should be spelt Kernaw to avoid mispronunciation
– last syllable as in “o” for “orange”)

I live in England.
Thera vi trigaz en Pow an Zowzon. SWF: Th ero’vy trigys en Pow an Sowson.

And you?
Ha whei? SWF: Ha whei?

I live in Cornwall.
Thera vi trigaz en Kernow. SWF: Th ero’vy trigys en Kernow.

I live in Perranporth.
Thera vi trigaz en Perran Porth. SWF: Th ero’vy trigys en Ty war’n Heyl.

Are you a Cornishman (Cornishwoman)?
O whei Kernow (Kernowez)? SWF: O’whei Kernow (Kernowes)?

Yes.
Ia. SWF: Ea.
(pronounce ee-ah)

Certainly.
Enti. SWF: En tei.
(may rhyme with English tea or tie)

I was born in Penzance.
Mi a ve gennez en Penzans. SWF: My a veu genys en Pensans.

No.
Na. SWF: Na.

Certainly not.
Nanti. SWF: Na’n tei.
(may rhyme with English tea or tie)

I was born in Scotland.
Mi a ve gennez en Pow Alban. SWF: My a veu genys e’n Alban.
or: SWF: My a veu genys en Scotland.

Do you like living in Cornwall?
Ew da gena whei triga en Kernow? SWF: Ew da gena whei triga en Kernow?

I like living in Cornwall.
Da ew genam triga en Kernow. SWF: Da ew genam triga en Kernow.

Have a go! Translate the following bizarre conversations!Rag trailia. SWF: Rag treylya.(for translating)

Conversation 1.
To make it easy, the SWF is done for you!

Hello. How are you?
SWF: Yow! Fatla gena whei?

Hi, mate! I’m well. And you?
SWF: Ha, sos! Da lowr o’ma. Ha whei?

I’m fine, thank you. But I was poorly yesterday.
SWF: Th o’vy en ehes da, gromercy. Bes de
th o’ma cloav.

I’m sorry.
SWF: Ma dhebm edrek.

Where do you live now?
SWF: Ple ero’whei trigys lebmyn?

I live in Penzance.
SWF: Th ero’ma trigys en Pensans.

I live in Penzance too.
SWF: Th ero’vy trigys en Pensans, y’wedh!

Cheerio! I’m off now.
SWF: A’n our! Voyda’ma lebmyn.

Till next time.
SWF: Terebo nessa.

Conversation 2.

Good morning. I am John. Who are you?
SWF: Mettin da. Jowan o’ma. Piw o’whei?

Good day to you. I am called Mary.
SWF: Durda dhe whei. Maria henwys o’vy.

Where do you live?
SWF: Ple ero’whei trigys?

I live in Scotland. And you?
SWF: Th ero’vy trigys e’n Alban. Ha whei?

I live in Cornwall.
SWF: Th ero’vy trigys en Kernow.

Are you a Cornishman?
SWF: O’whei Kernow?

No. Are you a Cornishwoman?
SWF: Na, nag o’ma. O’whei Kernowes?

Certainly.
SWF: En tei!

How are you today?
SWF: Fatel ero’whei o’ cul hedhyw?

I’m tired. And you?
SWF: Skith o’ma. Ha whei?

I’m cold and I have a headache.
SWF: Yeyn o’vy ha ma dhebm drog-pedn.

Goodbye.
SWF: A’n our!

God be with you.
SWF: Duw geno’whei!


If you would like some feedback, e-mail your answers to me on janicelobb@tiscali.co.uk