pe? = which? what? (SWF: py)
tra = a thing (SWF: tra)
an dra = the thing (SWF: an dra)
Pandra? = What thing? (from pe an dra) (SWF: pandra)
Would you like………? = Vendzhah hwei…………..? (SWF: venja hwei)
What would you like? = Pandra vendzhah hwei? (SWF: Pandra venja hwei?)
What would you like to drink? = Pandra vendzhah hwei êvah? (SWF: Pandra venja hwei eva?)
What would you like to eat? = Pandra vendzhah hwei debbri? (SWF: Pandra venja hwei dybri?)
What would you like to buy? = Pandra vendzhah hwei perna? (SWF: Pandra venja hwei perna?)
Would you like something to drink? = Vendzhah hwei nepeth dho êvah?
I would like…………. = Mi vendzhah ………….. (SWF: me venja)
There are two correct ways of saying please
Either “mi a pidzhi” or just “pidzhi”.
Pidzhi is the verb “to pray/beg/ask”. (SWF: pyji)
Dick Gendall says that “mar pleak” (if it pleases) should not be used in a request.
There are two main ways of saying “Thank you” or “Thanks!”God repay you = durdala dy hwei / durdala do hwei/ (traditionally run together as DURDALADAWHY)
I make thanks = GRAMASSI (also spelt gra’massi / gyra-massi / gad-marsshi)
This is shortened to Thanks = MASSI / marci (obviously related to French merci) (SWF: gras) (Now we’re more like Spanish or Italian!)
Much thanks to you = merastahwei
You don’t want something – mind how you say this, in case you sound rude!
No thank you (or Certainly not!) = Nantî.
So a conversation might go:
Pandra vendzhah hwei êvah? = What would you like to drink? (SWF: Pandra venja hwei eva?)
Mi vendzhah bolla tê, pidzhi. = I would like a cup of tea, please. (SWF: Me venja hanath a te, pyji.)
Pandra vendzhah hwei debbri? = What would you like to eat? (SWF: Pandra venja hwei dybri?)
Mi vendzhah mau, mi a pidzhi. = I would like a sandwich, please. (SWF: Me venja baramanen, pyji.)
Vendzhah hwei tezan awêdh? = Would you like a cake as well? (SWF: Venja hwei tesen y’wedh?)
Nantî. = No thank you.
Where hospitality is involved you need to know the vocabulary for food and drink.. Surprisingly “BÛZ” is food, not English booze!
BÛZ HA DEUAZ = Food and Drink
To drink = êvah (SWF: eva)
Pandra vendzhah hwei êvah? = What would you like to drink? (SWF: Pandra venja hwei eva?)
Pidzhi, mi vendzhah dour. = Please, I would like water. (SWF: Pyji, me venja dowr.)
Water = dour (SWF: dowr)
A cup of tea = bolla tê
A cup of coffee = bolla coffi
Tea = tê (SWF: te)
Coffee = coffi
Milk = leath (pronounce layth) (SWF: leth)
Sugar = côn (pronounce cone – from English cone sugar) (the same word is used for supper)
Tea with milk = tê gen leath (SWF: te gen leth)
Tea without sugar = tê heb côn
Coffee with sugar and milk = coffee gen côn ha leath
Beer = cor
A pint of beer = pimp a cor
Wine = gwîn (pronounce gween) (SWF: gwin)
A glass = gwedran (SWF: gwedren)
A glass of wine = gwedran a wîn (pronounce ween) (SWF: gwedren a win)
Fruit juice = sygan (the same word is used for gravy, so you can add lavalo or frût to distinguish it from sygan kîg which means meat juice)
spirits of any sort = dour tubm (SWF: dowr tobm)
Whisky = dour tubm Alban (literally hot water Scottish)
Brandy = dour tubm Frenk (literally hot water French)
Rum = dour tubm Lollas (literally hot water West Indies)
To eat = debbri (SWF: dybri)
Pandra vendzhah hwei debbri? = What would you like to eat? (SWF: Pandra venja hwei dybri?)
Bread = bara (SWF: bara)
Butter = manin (SWF: amanen)
Ham = morraz hôh (In anatomy, morraz is the word for thigh)
Cheese = keaz (SWF: keus)
A sandwich = mau (SWF: baramanen)
A ham sandwich = mau morraz
A cheese sandwich = mau keaz (SWF: baramanen keus)
A jam sandwich = mau jam
Saffron cake (a Cornish speciality!) = tezan saffarn
A bun = tortel
A saffron bun = tortel saffarn
A pasty (a Cornish speciality!) = cofan or hogan (SWF: hogen) (the same word is sometimes used for any pastry or bread crust)
Cream = dehen (SWF: dehen)
Clotted cream (another Cornish speciality!) = dehen kithez (literally scalded cream)
By adding three simple words you can introduce choice and preference.
Rather (literally first) = KENZ
Or = PO/PY
But = BYZ
Sompel
Pandra vendzhah hwei kenz? = What do you prefer? (What would you rather?) (SWF: Pandra venja hwei kens?)
Pandra vendzhah hwei kenz êvah? = What would you rather drink? (SWF: Pandra venja hwei kens eva?)
Pandra vendzhah hwei kenz, cor po gwîn? = What do you prefer, beer or wine?
Mi vendzhah kenz cor, gramassi. = I prefer beer, thank you.
Vendzhah hwei cor po gwîn? = Would you like beer or wine?
Mi vendzhah cor, byz mi vendzhah kenz dour. = I would like beer, but I prefer water.
Pandra ero hwei longia dho êvah? = What do you usually drink?
(similar to Cornish dialect – What do you belong to drink?)
Thera vi longia dho êvah dour. = I usually drink water. (Can also = Mi a long dho êvah dour.)
Hopefully you will have noticed that in Cornish we do not write the definite article. Cor could be “a beer” or “beer”. To stress the number say “edn cor”.
Friday, 27 June 2008
Wednesday, 25 June 2008
Commands and demands
Gero nei and other commands:
Gero is an order (the imperative of the verb garah = to leave, let, allow).
You can use it with an object:
e.g. (One for your dog) Gero ê! = Leave it!
Gero an darraz egr/alêz. = Leave the door open.
Gero an listri dho vi. = Leave the dishes to me.
or you can use it with the first person (vi or nei) or third person (ev, hei or andzhei) and another verb, meaning (you) let (somebody else do something)……..
Gero nei pidzha = Let us pray.
Gero nei deau gwîl trei. = Let us two make three. (Ancient Cornish chat up line?) (SWF: Gero nei dow gul trei!)
Gero nei êvah pyb ol adrô (SWF: a-dro).. = Let’s all drink a toast to…………….
Gero nei deski Kernûak. = Let’s learn Cornish.
Gero nei moaz. = Let’s go. (SWF: Gero nei mos)
Gero nei moaz chei. = Let’s go in (the house).
Gero nei marhazna = Let’s go shopping
Gero nei kymeraz kynner = Let’s take a break
Gero vi gwelaz. = Let me see.
Gero vi moaz chei. = Let me go in.
(little Pig, little Pig) Gero vi dho entra! = Let me come in!
or Pig bîan, pig bîan, gero vi doaz chei! = Little pig, little pig, let me come in!
Gero vi boaz! = Leave me be!
Gero andzhei debbri tezan. = Let them eat cake!
Gero ev kerraz dho scoll. = Let him walk to school.
Gero hei gwari en lûar. = Let her play in the garden.
Greu (also gwreu) is the imperative of the verb gîl (gwîl) = to do
It can be used on its own or (theoretically) with any other verb, but is more common with some.
Greu festinna! = (Do) Hurry!
Greu sêdha doar. = (Do) Sit down.
Greu ymdzhersia gyz hynan. = (Do) Make yourself comfortable.
Greu hwilaz telhar orol. = (Do) Look somewhere else.
Greu ouna gyz vuru. = (Do) Mend your ways.
Greu vi dho welaz = Show me
Lavar côth.
Greu dâ, rag gyz hynan hwei an gwra. = Do good, you do it for yourself (for yourself you it do).
The use of dho is very idiomatic;
e.g. Gero vi dho entra = Let me (to) come in.
Greu vi dho welaz = Make me (to) see. Let me see. Show me.
If you use this remember that some verbs, e.g. gwelaz, mutate after dho.
Imperatives can be made negative by the use of na
Both gero and greu/gwreu lose their initial g after na.
Na reu meaning "do not" is used a lot for negative commands (Thou shalt not! in Biblical terms) even if the affirmative doesn’t use greu.
Na reu moaz. = Don’t go!
Na reu couz hedna = Don’t say that.
Na reu doaz war tiu ma. = Do not come on this side.
Na reu miraz hwâth. = Don’t look yet.
Na reu sedha doar hwâth. = Don’t sit down yet.
Na reu saval aman raga vi. = Don’t get up for me.
Na reu garah an vor gôth. = Don’t leave the old road/way.
Pidzhi na reu kerraz war an gwelz. = Please do not walk on the grass.
Na ero meaning "let not" is also used for negative commands,
Na ero nei …….= Let us not………
Na ero nei trigaz ybma = Let’s not stay here.
Na ero nei debbri en tavarn tê na. = Let’s not eat in that tea shop.
Na ero nei gwesga rag kidniaw. = Let’s not dress for dinner.
Na ero andzhei gwari en môr. = Don’t let them play in the sea.
The Ten Commandments provide several examples of negative commands “Thou shalt not…………”.
John Boson 1720
Ten Commandments (A Dêg Gwra Deiu)
A Dêg Gwra Deiu
Deiu Cowsas Gerria ma-ha lavaraz-Tho’m guz Arleth Deiu Rêg dro whei Meaz vrt Tîr Egypt ha meas vrt Chei an Kaithes.
1st. Na re’au gauas Deiu veth aral buz vê.
Na reu gawaz Deu vîdh orol byz vi. (Do not have any other God ………….)
2nd. Na re’au gwra tha gus vonyn weal trehis vith na haval traveth en Neue avorra, na en Aor a wollas na en dour dad’n an Aor, na re’au pleghie dothans, na worria dothans, Rag vê guz Arleth Deiu o’m Deiu guir a vonyn tha tralia Peha an Tazow vor an fleaz tha an Tridgia ha Padjurra hinneth vor’n gi ena el pertha vê, ha deskeutha Trueth da Milliow vor’n gi es kara vê, ha gwitha gerria vê.
Na reu gwra dho gyz hynan hweal trehis vîth (Do not make to yourself any graven image….) ..
na reu pledzhi dodhanz …. (do not bow to them…………)
3rd. Na re’au kamer hanow guz Arleth Deiu en Ganow heb ortham (for oatham), Rag na vedn an Arleth sendg’e heb Pe, ra kamer’e hanow en ganow heb ortham.
Na reu kymer(az) hanaw gyz Arludh Deu en ganaw heb othom (Do not take the name of your Lord God in vain…………………..)
4th. Kova tha gwitha benigas De’Zîl. weeah Jorna, Ra whei gwra weal, ha gwra menz es th’es tha guil, buz an sithaz dêth eu zîl benigas guz Arleth Deui. ena ra whei gwra ehal (for ehan) weal, whei na guz mâb na mer na guz dariow Rag en whee’ah Jorna an Arleth gwraz a Neue an Aor a Môre, ha menz es ena ha pouesas an sithas dêth Rag hedda an Arleth Benaz an sithas dêth ha sonaz a.
5th. Worria guz Seera ha Dama el guz Dethiow beth pel vor an Tir es res the’es gen guz Arleth Deiu.
6th. Na re’au Latha Mâb Dean
Na reu ladha mâb dên. (Do not murder/kill a son of man)
7th. Na re’au Crovetha gen grêg Dean aral
Na reu kevran gen grêg dên orol. (Do not commit adultery with another man’s wife)
8th. Na re’au Laddra
Na reu ladra. (Do not steal)
9th Na re’au Tîa gou vor pidn guz Contrevack
Na reu tîah gou warbidn gyz kyntrevogez ….. (Do not swear a lie / commit perjury / bear false witness against your neighbour……… )
10th Na re’au gauaz hirrath vor ler Chei guz Contrevack-na hirrath vor ler gwreg guz C[on]trevack. Na e guaz. na [e] moas na e vdgian Na e Rozan, Na Traveth es peth eue.
Na reu gawaz/kymeraz hirrath warler/rag chei gyz kyntrevogez ……. (Do not covet / have longing for your neighbour’s house ……… )
Gwavas copy in Penzance Library.
Here’s another version!
William Gwavas
Ten Commandments (an Deag Laver Deu)
An Deg Gura Deu
1. Ti na fegh ken Deu byz me.
2. Ti na gura dha vynnyn huil terhiz veth, na haval der traveth es en Nev avortha na en aor a golaz, na en dowr es dadn an aor, Ti na ras pleghe dha rina na gura gurthy, rag me Arleth Deu eu Deu guir a vynnyn dha gura dh’em Pehosou an Taze var an flehas dha an tredzha ha an padzhura Hynnyth na el pertha vi; Diskuetha Triuadh var milieu neb es kara ha kuitha ma gura Deu.
3. Ti na kameras hanou an Arleth Deu en ganau hep ortham (for oatham NK), rag an Arleth na sinnnnnnndz ea heb peh; neb es kamar e hanau en ganau heb ortham (oatham).
4. Ti na ra kevy dha kuitha benigas Dezil; huih dydh ti gura huil ha gura mens es dh’ys dha guil, byz an seithas dydh eu an zil benigas Arleth Deu, enna ti na gura ehal (ehan ?NK) a huil, ti na goz mab, na goz merh, na goz guas, na goz mahtheid, na goz chattal, na dean unchuth, na travith es bar tshei gos gettes, rag en huih dydh an Arleth guras an Nev, an aor, a mor; ha mens es ena, ha pouesaz an seithas dydh, rag hedna an Arleth guras an seithas jurna benigas, ha sonaz.
5. Ti gurns gurthy dha goz Sira, ha Dama, rag goz dydhiou bos pell var an tir es res dh’yz gans Arleth Deu.
6. Ti na ras ladha mab dean.
7. Ti na ras crovetha gans gureg dean aral.
8. Ti na ras ladra.
9. Ti na ras tiah gou erbyn de kyntrevak.
10. Ti na ras gauas hirrath var ler tshei de kyntrevak na ras gauas hirrath rag gureg goz kentrevak na e dean huil na e moze huil, na e vozheon, na e rozan na travith es peth eve.
BM Add. MS 28 554 f.106) OC Vol IX No.11 Autumn 1984 Talek ed
And another!
William Rowe 1668-1709
An Deeg Lavarow a Deew
Tho ve an Arleth da Deew rag da dry meaze veza pow Egypt ha veza choy o chee gossel.
1. Na ra chee gowas na hene Deew poz vee.
2. Na ra chee geel theze dah honen image a wethan na mean ew havel da traveth ol ol eze en Neav a warrah na en 'oare a ollaz na en Dowre ezeu dadn en 'oare. Na ra chee pledgee thenze, Rag ve da Deew honegath vedn boaze engros gen a chee ha composa cabm with a zeera war an flehaz da an dridga ha bodwerha heenath a rima na geeze ort a hara ha shoyah bednath war villiaw a eze ort a hara ha gweetha o lavarow.
3. Na 'ra komerras hannaw Deew en vaine rag na vedn an Arlethgon gon cawas en paraves rag comeras e hanow en vaine.
4. Peedere da gwetha an Zeeleva bonegath; whee jorna chee ra geele a peath ez theeze tha weele. Rag an zithvas deeth ew an Zeele an Arleth Deew; eta na ra geall zorth veth a weele, chee na tha vab, na verth, na da dean, na da voze, na gattel, na da dean anketh, na dra eza gyo da vozow. Rag an whee jorna an Arleth a wraze Neve han oare ha an mor ha menze ez ena, ha boaz an zithvaz deeth, ha'n gwraze ew da.
5. Gwra mere da zeerah ha da Dama, malga da dethow booze heere en powe reg an Taze da Deew ry theeze.
6. Na' ra chee latha den'eth
7. Na' ra chee gorwetha gen gwreg tha contrevack.
8. Na' ra chee ladra.
9. Na' ra chee boaz faulz teaze bedn tha contrevack
10. Na' ra chee covityah gwreeg da contrevack, na'm chee covityah choye da contrevack, na e gossel, na e voze, na e edgan, na e varth, na traveth al beaw a eve.
Deew, A comene massy waren ha screffa da lavarow etta gon colonow. Andelarabo. An duah a an bozverah Chaptra a Matthew.
Most verbs also have their own individual forms of the infinitive, based on the root of the verb.
In regular verbs the 2nd person singular just uses the root, the 2nd person plural/polite adds “o” to the end of the root.
Here are a few examples:
To answer = gorribi. Imp. = gorrib/gorribo
To ban = bannia. Imp. = bann/banno
To bless = benega. Imp. = beniga/benigo
To descend = skidnia. Imp. = skidn/skidno
To follow = siuia. Imp. siu/siuio
To go away = avoidia. Imp. = avoid/avoido
To keep = gwîtha. Imp. = gwîth/gwîtho
To look = mîraz. Imp. = mîr/mîro
To part = barri. Imp. =barri/barrio
To pay for = pëa. Imp. = pëa/pëo
To pull = tedna. Imp. = tedn/tedno
To say = lavaral. Imp. = lavar/lavaro
To swear = tîah. Imp. = tî/tîo
To talk = clappia. Imp. = clap/clappio
To teach = deska. Imp. = deski/desko
To turn/translate = trailia. Imp. = trail/trailio
When the root is one syllable the vowel may lengthen in the 2nd person singular. Here are a few examples.
To boil = bridzhan. Imp. = brîdzh/bridzho
To dwell = triga(z). Imp. = trîg/trigo
To find = cavaz. Imp. = câv/kevo
To heed = culez. Imp. = cûl/culo
To inform = avizia. Imp. = avîz/avizio
To love = cara. Imp. = câr/kero
To read = redia. Imp. = rêd/redio
To rise = saval. Imp. = sâv/sevo
To use = iuzia. Imp. = iûz/iuzio
e.g. Read this carefully = Redio hebma sŷr.
Irregular verbs may be a bit unexpected: Here are some of the more important ones.
To ask = gofen. Imp. = wor/govidna
To be = boaz. Imp. = bêdh/bêdho
To come = doaz. Imp. = dîz/diaw
To do/make = gîl/gwîl. Imp. = gwrâ(z)/gwreu (miss out w if using gîl)
To give = rei. Imp. = rô/reuh
To go = moaz. Imp. = ki/ko
To let = garah. Imp. = gâz/gero
To send = danen. Imp. = danen/denveno
To take = kymeraz. Imp. = kebmar/kymero
For a negative command you can put “na” in front of the imperative,
e.g. Na tedna nei en antel = Do not lead us into temptation.
There are some demands in the Lord’s Prayer: Can you spot them?
John Boson 1720
Cornôack-Pader an Arleth
English-The Prayer of the Lord-als.Lord’s [Prayer]
Tâz Ny drero en Neue, ben[i]gas beth gus H[anow] gus Thernas toaz, gus Brez beth gwres en Aor p’k[ar] drua en Neue. Ro d[e]n hithou gun bara dêth [de] deth govia (altered fm gaffa) d’en gun Kama p’kar drera ny gov’ (altered fm gaff) d’a kamas war gun pidn, Na tedna ny en Antoll, buz gwitha ny vrt droag. Rag the’u [an] Thern[as] gus vonyn-an Nerder, ha an Spladner-Termen heb duath. Amen Della betha So be it.
Gwavas copy in Penzance Library.
Gero is an order (the imperative of the verb garah = to leave, let, allow).
You can use it with an object:
e.g. (One for your dog) Gero ê! = Leave it!
Gero an darraz egr/alêz. = Leave the door open.
Gero an listri dho vi. = Leave the dishes to me.
or you can use it with the first person (vi or nei) or third person (ev, hei or andzhei) and another verb, meaning (you) let (somebody else do something)……..
Gero nei pidzha = Let us pray.
Gero nei deau gwîl trei. = Let us two make three. (Ancient Cornish chat up line?) (SWF: Gero nei dow gul trei!)
Gero nei êvah pyb ol adrô (SWF: a-dro).. = Let’s all drink a toast to…………….
Gero nei deski Kernûak. = Let’s learn Cornish.
Gero nei moaz. = Let’s go. (SWF: Gero nei mos)
Gero nei moaz chei. = Let’s go in (the house).
Gero nei marhazna = Let’s go shopping
Gero nei kymeraz kynner = Let’s take a break
Gero vi gwelaz. = Let me see.
Gero vi moaz chei. = Let me go in.
(little Pig, little Pig) Gero vi dho entra! = Let me come in!
or Pig bîan, pig bîan, gero vi doaz chei! = Little pig, little pig, let me come in!
Gero vi boaz! = Leave me be!
Gero andzhei debbri tezan. = Let them eat cake!
Gero ev kerraz dho scoll. = Let him walk to school.
Gero hei gwari en lûar. = Let her play in the garden.
Greu (also gwreu) is the imperative of the verb gîl (gwîl) = to do
It can be used on its own or (theoretically) with any other verb, but is more common with some.
Greu festinna! = (Do) Hurry!
Greu sêdha doar. = (Do) Sit down.
Greu ymdzhersia gyz hynan. = (Do) Make yourself comfortable.
Greu hwilaz telhar orol. = (Do) Look somewhere else.
Greu ouna gyz vuru. = (Do) Mend your ways.
Greu vi dho welaz = Show me
Lavar côth.
Greu dâ, rag gyz hynan hwei an gwra. = Do good, you do it for yourself (for yourself you it do).
The use of dho is very idiomatic;
e.g. Gero vi dho entra = Let me (to) come in.
Greu vi dho welaz = Make me (to) see. Let me see. Show me.
If you use this remember that some verbs, e.g. gwelaz, mutate after dho.
Imperatives can be made negative by the use of na
Both gero and greu/gwreu lose their initial g after na.
Na reu meaning "do not" is used a lot for negative commands (Thou shalt not! in Biblical terms) even if the affirmative doesn’t use greu.
Na reu moaz. = Don’t go!
Na reu couz hedna = Don’t say that.
Na reu doaz war tiu ma. = Do not come on this side.
Na reu miraz hwâth. = Don’t look yet.
Na reu sedha doar hwâth. = Don’t sit down yet.
Na reu saval aman raga vi. = Don’t get up for me.
Na reu garah an vor gôth. = Don’t leave the old road/way.
Pidzhi na reu kerraz war an gwelz. = Please do not walk on the grass.
Na ero meaning "let not" is also used for negative commands,
Na ero nei …….= Let us not………
Na ero nei trigaz ybma = Let’s not stay here.
Na ero nei debbri en tavarn tê na. = Let’s not eat in that tea shop.
Na ero nei gwesga rag kidniaw. = Let’s not dress for dinner.
Na ero andzhei gwari en môr. = Don’t let them play in the sea.
The Ten Commandments provide several examples of negative commands “Thou shalt not…………”.
John Boson 1720
Ten Commandments (A Dêg Gwra Deiu)
A Dêg Gwra Deiu
Deiu Cowsas Gerria ma-ha lavaraz-Tho’m guz Arleth Deiu Rêg dro whei Meaz vrt Tîr Egypt ha meas vrt Chei an Kaithes.
1st. Na re’au gauas Deiu veth aral buz vê.
Na reu gawaz Deu vîdh orol byz vi. (Do not have any other God ………….)
2nd. Na re’au gwra tha gus vonyn weal trehis vith na haval traveth en Neue avorra, na en Aor a wollas na en dour dad’n an Aor, na re’au pleghie dothans, na worria dothans, Rag vê guz Arleth Deiu o’m Deiu guir a vonyn tha tralia Peha an Tazow vor an fleaz tha an Tridgia ha Padjurra hinneth vor’n gi ena el pertha vê, ha deskeutha Trueth da Milliow vor’n gi es kara vê, ha gwitha gerria vê.
Na reu gwra dho gyz hynan hweal trehis vîth (Do not make to yourself any graven image….) ..
na reu pledzhi dodhanz …. (do not bow to them…………)
3rd. Na re’au kamer hanow guz Arleth Deiu en Ganow heb ortham (for oatham), Rag na vedn an Arleth sendg’e heb Pe, ra kamer’e hanow en ganow heb ortham.
Na reu kymer(az) hanaw gyz Arludh Deu en ganaw heb othom (Do not take the name of your Lord God in vain…………………..)
4th. Kova tha gwitha benigas De’Zîl. weeah Jorna, Ra whei gwra weal, ha gwra menz es th’es tha guil, buz an sithaz dêth eu zîl benigas guz Arleth Deui. ena ra whei gwra ehal (for ehan) weal, whei na guz mâb na mer na guz dariow Rag en whee’ah Jorna an Arleth gwraz a Neue an Aor a Môre, ha menz es ena ha pouesas an sithas dêth Rag hedda an Arleth Benaz an sithas dêth ha sonaz a.
5th. Worria guz Seera ha Dama el guz Dethiow beth pel vor an Tir es res the’es gen guz Arleth Deiu.
6th. Na re’au Latha Mâb Dean
Na reu ladha mâb dên. (Do not murder/kill a son of man)
7th. Na re’au Crovetha gen grêg Dean aral
Na reu kevran gen grêg dên orol. (Do not commit adultery with another man’s wife)
8th. Na re’au Laddra
Na reu ladra. (Do not steal)
9th Na re’au Tîa gou vor pidn guz Contrevack
Na reu tîah gou warbidn gyz kyntrevogez ….. (Do not swear a lie / commit perjury / bear false witness against your neighbour……… )
10th Na re’au gauaz hirrath vor ler Chei guz Contrevack-na hirrath vor ler gwreg guz C[on]trevack. Na e guaz. na [e] moas na e vdgian Na e Rozan, Na Traveth es peth eue.
Na reu gawaz/kymeraz hirrath warler/rag chei gyz kyntrevogez ……. (Do not covet / have longing for your neighbour’s house ……… )
Gwavas copy in Penzance Library.
Here’s another version!
William Gwavas
Ten Commandments (an Deag Laver Deu)
An Deg Gura Deu
1. Ti na fegh ken Deu byz me.
2. Ti na gura dha vynnyn huil terhiz veth, na haval der traveth es en Nev avortha na en aor a golaz, na en dowr es dadn an aor, Ti na ras pleghe dha rina na gura gurthy, rag me Arleth Deu eu Deu guir a vynnyn dha gura dh’em Pehosou an Taze var an flehas dha an tredzha ha an padzhura Hynnyth na el pertha vi; Diskuetha Triuadh var milieu neb es kara ha kuitha ma gura Deu.
3. Ti na kameras hanou an Arleth Deu en ganau hep ortham (for oatham NK), rag an Arleth na sinnnnnnndz ea heb peh; neb es kamar e hanau en ganau heb ortham (oatham).
4. Ti na ra kevy dha kuitha benigas Dezil; huih dydh ti gura huil ha gura mens es dh’ys dha guil, byz an seithas dydh eu an zil benigas Arleth Deu, enna ti na gura ehal (ehan ?NK) a huil, ti na goz mab, na goz merh, na goz guas, na goz mahtheid, na goz chattal, na dean unchuth, na travith es bar tshei gos gettes, rag en huih dydh an Arleth guras an Nev, an aor, a mor; ha mens es ena, ha pouesaz an seithas dydh, rag hedna an Arleth guras an seithas jurna benigas, ha sonaz.
5. Ti gurns gurthy dha goz Sira, ha Dama, rag goz dydhiou bos pell var an tir es res dh’yz gans Arleth Deu.
6. Ti na ras ladha mab dean.
7. Ti na ras crovetha gans gureg dean aral.
8. Ti na ras ladra.
9. Ti na ras tiah gou erbyn de kyntrevak.
10. Ti na ras gauas hirrath var ler tshei de kyntrevak na ras gauas hirrath rag gureg goz kentrevak na e dean huil na e moze huil, na e vozheon, na e rozan na travith es peth eve.
BM Add. MS 28 554 f.106) OC Vol IX No.11 Autumn 1984 Talek ed
And another!
William Rowe 1668-1709
An Deeg Lavarow a Deew
Tho ve an Arleth da Deew rag da dry meaze veza pow Egypt ha veza choy o chee gossel.
1. Na ra chee gowas na hene Deew poz vee.
2. Na ra chee geel theze dah honen image a wethan na mean ew havel da traveth ol ol eze en Neav a warrah na en 'oare a ollaz na en Dowre ezeu dadn en 'oare. Na ra chee pledgee thenze, Rag ve da Deew honegath vedn boaze engros gen a chee ha composa cabm with a zeera war an flehaz da an dridga ha bodwerha heenath a rima na geeze ort a hara ha shoyah bednath war villiaw a eze ort a hara ha gweetha o lavarow.
3. Na 'ra komerras hannaw Deew en vaine rag na vedn an Arlethgon gon cawas en paraves rag comeras e hanow en vaine.
4. Peedere da gwetha an Zeeleva bonegath; whee jorna chee ra geele a peath ez theeze tha weele. Rag an zithvas deeth ew an Zeele an Arleth Deew; eta na ra geall zorth veth a weele, chee na tha vab, na verth, na da dean, na da voze, na gattel, na da dean anketh, na dra eza gyo da vozow. Rag an whee jorna an Arleth a wraze Neve han oare ha an mor ha menze ez ena, ha boaz an zithvaz deeth, ha'n gwraze ew da.
5. Gwra mere da zeerah ha da Dama, malga da dethow booze heere en powe reg an Taze da Deew ry theeze.
6. Na' ra chee latha den'eth
7. Na' ra chee gorwetha gen gwreg tha contrevack.
8. Na' ra chee ladra.
9. Na' ra chee boaz faulz teaze bedn tha contrevack
10. Na' ra chee covityah gwreeg da contrevack, na'm chee covityah choye da contrevack, na e gossel, na e voze, na e edgan, na e varth, na traveth al beaw a eve.
Deew, A comene massy waren ha screffa da lavarow etta gon colonow. Andelarabo. An duah a an bozverah Chaptra a Matthew.
Most verbs also have their own individual forms of the infinitive, based on the root of the verb.
In regular verbs the 2nd person singular just uses the root, the 2nd person plural/polite adds “o” to the end of the root.
Here are a few examples:
To answer = gorribi. Imp. = gorrib/gorribo
To ban = bannia. Imp. = bann/banno
To bless = benega. Imp. = beniga/benigo
To descend = skidnia. Imp. = skidn/skidno
To follow = siuia. Imp. siu/siuio
To go away = avoidia. Imp. = avoid/avoido
To keep = gwîtha. Imp. = gwîth/gwîtho
To look = mîraz. Imp. = mîr/mîro
To part = barri. Imp. =barri/barrio
To pay for = pëa. Imp. = pëa/pëo
To pull = tedna. Imp. = tedn/tedno
To say = lavaral. Imp. = lavar/lavaro
To swear = tîah. Imp. = tî/tîo
To talk = clappia. Imp. = clap/clappio
To teach = deska. Imp. = deski/desko
To turn/translate = trailia. Imp. = trail/trailio
When the root is one syllable the vowel may lengthen in the 2nd person singular. Here are a few examples.
To boil = bridzhan. Imp. = brîdzh/bridzho
To dwell = triga(z). Imp. = trîg/trigo
To find = cavaz. Imp. = câv/kevo
To heed = culez. Imp. = cûl/culo
To inform = avizia. Imp. = avîz/avizio
To love = cara. Imp. = câr/kero
To read = redia. Imp. = rêd/redio
To rise = saval. Imp. = sâv/sevo
To use = iuzia. Imp. = iûz/iuzio
e.g. Read this carefully = Redio hebma sŷr.
Irregular verbs may be a bit unexpected: Here are some of the more important ones.
To ask = gofen. Imp. = wor/govidna
To be = boaz. Imp. = bêdh/bêdho
To come = doaz. Imp. = dîz/diaw
To do/make = gîl/gwîl. Imp. = gwrâ(z)/gwreu (miss out w if using gîl)
To give = rei. Imp. = rô/reuh
To go = moaz. Imp. = ki/ko
To let = garah. Imp. = gâz/gero
To send = danen. Imp. = danen/denveno
To take = kymeraz. Imp. = kebmar/kymero
For a negative command you can put “na” in front of the imperative,
e.g. Na tedna nei en antel = Do not lead us into temptation.
There are some demands in the Lord’s Prayer: Can you spot them?
John Boson 1720
Cornôack-Pader an Arleth
English-The Prayer of the Lord-als.Lord’s [Prayer]
Tâz Ny drero en Neue, ben[i]gas beth gus H[anow] gus Thernas toaz, gus Brez beth gwres en Aor p’k[ar] drua en Neue. Ro d[e]n hithou gun bara dêth [de] deth govia (altered fm gaffa) d’en gun Kama p’kar drera ny gov’ (altered fm gaff) d’a kamas war gun pidn, Na tedna ny en Antoll, buz gwitha ny vrt droag. Rag the’u [an] Thern[as] gus vonyn-an Nerder, ha an Spladner-Termen heb duath. Amen Della betha So be it.
Gwavas copy in Penzance Library.
What colour is it?
Pe liu eu ê?
What colour is it?
A rainbow = cabmdhavaz (not actually a bent sheep! but an early misunderstanding of camnivet, meaning heavenly arc)
black = diu (this also means dark)
as in Mîz Diu (the dark or black month) for November
(mutates to dhiu after fem. nouns) e.g. moaran dhiu = a blackberry
white = gwidn (for masc. nouns) (SWF: gwydn/gwynn)
as in gwidn ui = white of egg; gwîn gwidn = white wine
(sometimes undergoes soft or aspirate mutation)
e.g. maga widn avel an err/maga hwidn avel an err = as white as snow;
e.g.gwesgez en widn = dressed in white
white = gwedn/gwen (for fem. nouns)
as in Mîz Gwedngala (month of white straw) for September
(mutates to wedn/wen after fem. nouns) e.g. tezan wedn = white/yeast cake; an rozan wen = the white rose
bright/brilliant/sparkling white = cann (pronounced conn) (SWF: cann/kann)
off-white = skilwin
grey = glâz (pronounced as glaze) (SWF: glas)
(this can also mean blue or green – so, whatever the weather, you can always say "Glâz eu an môr." = the sea is blue/green/grey)
but keaz glâz = unripe cheese
grey = lûz
e.g. kei lûz = greyhound (also called a long dog = kei hîr)
e.g. gwiwer lûz = grey squirrel
e.g. leslûz = mugwort (grey herb, once used by hard-up balmaidens as a substitute for tea)
Old name for St Michael’s Mount was An Garrack Lûz en Cûz = The Grey Rock in the Wood
ash/light grey, grizzly = louyz/lûdzh
e.g. ors lûdzh = grizzly bear, pedn lûdzh = grey-haired
primary colours:
kenza liuio (SWF: kensa liwyow)
red/russet/gingery = rûz/ruz
e.g. gwiwer rûz = red squirrel
e.g. pedn ruz = a red-head (was an insult)
red/scarlet = rŷdh (SWF: rudh)
e.g. gwîn rŷdh = red wine
The town of Redruth was Resrŷdh = red ford
Rŷdhvôz = red bank/wal became Ruthvoes
vermilion/red-lead = melez
brick-red = kigliu (literally meat colour) (this is also pink, and can be used for the carnation/pink flower)
yellow = melin (SWF: melyn)
e.g. pedn melin = blond/fair-haired
e.g. melin ui = egg yolk
fiery yellow/orange = uirek (yolk/eggy coloured)
deep yellow = rŷdh-vellin
honey = mêl (SWF: mel)
blue/azure = blou (can also mean off-colour)
blue/blue-grey = glâz
but keaz glâz is not blue cheese
(for that you would have to use keaz vinid = blue-veined cheese)
secondary colours:
nessa liuio (SWF: nessa liwyow)
green = glâz (SWF: glas)
e.g. deel glâz (pronounced dale glaze) = green leaves, foliage
(gives rise to glason or glizzon = a lawn, a green)
may show soft mutation, as in an ûn lâz = the green down (metaphor for the sea)
bright/leaf green = gwêr (SWF: gwer/gwyrdh)
e.g. gwerwelz = green pasture
bottle-green = gwedrek
purple = pyrpyr
mauve = bazzom (can also used for heather flower)
indigo/violet/lilac/lavendar (no Cornish words)
orange = maligog (also a marigold)
golden = ouriek (not to be confused with eggy uirek)
e.g. êr ouriek = golden eagle
gold (metal) = our/aur
other colours:
liuio orol (SWF: liwyow aral)
brown = teual/teul (also means dark, obscure)
e.g. bara teul = brown bread
brown = donak (also means swarthy, tanned, beige or brunette)
e.g. pedn donak (brown-haired, brunette)
silver = arrans
e.g. pêl arrans = silver bal (used in the game of hurling)
silver metal/money = argan (SWF: arhans)
cream = dehen
Coloured things:
taclaw liuiez (SWF: taclow/taklow/traow ………….)
a flower = bledzhan
flowers = bledzhednaw
a tree = gwedhan/gwidhan
trees = gwŷdh (-widh in compound words)
grass = gwelz
e.g. maga gwêr avel an gwelz = as green as the grass
the sky = an ebbarn (SWF: ebren) or an neav
ground/earth = doar (SWF: dor)
the sea = an môr (SWF: mor)
sand/beach = dreath/treath
a horse = mar/marh/marth (SWF: margh)
a car = carr (also used for cart or vehicle in general) (SWF: carr/karr)
a bird = (SWF: edhen/edhyn)
hair = bleau
eyes = lygadzhaw
coat = cota
dress = pous (SWF: dillas)
trousers (pair of) = lavrak
What colour is it?
A rainbow = cabmdhavaz (not actually a bent sheep! but an early misunderstanding of camnivet, meaning heavenly arc)
black = diu (this also means dark)
as in Mîz Diu (the dark or black month) for November
(mutates to dhiu after fem. nouns) e.g. moaran dhiu = a blackberry
white = gwidn (for masc. nouns) (SWF: gwydn/gwynn)
as in gwidn ui = white of egg; gwîn gwidn = white wine
(sometimes undergoes soft or aspirate mutation)
e.g. maga widn avel an err/maga hwidn avel an err = as white as snow;
e.g.gwesgez en widn = dressed in white
white = gwedn/gwen (for fem. nouns)
as in Mîz Gwedngala (month of white straw) for September
(mutates to wedn/wen after fem. nouns) e.g. tezan wedn = white/yeast cake; an rozan wen = the white rose
bright/brilliant/sparkling white = cann (pronounced conn) (SWF: cann/kann)
off-white = skilwin
grey = glâz (pronounced as glaze) (SWF: glas)
(this can also mean blue or green – so, whatever the weather, you can always say "Glâz eu an môr." = the sea is blue/green/grey)
but keaz glâz = unripe cheese
grey = lûz
e.g. kei lûz = greyhound (also called a long dog = kei hîr)
e.g. gwiwer lûz = grey squirrel
e.g. leslûz = mugwort (grey herb, once used by hard-up balmaidens as a substitute for tea)
Old name for St Michael’s Mount was An Garrack Lûz en Cûz = The Grey Rock in the Wood
ash/light grey, grizzly = louyz/lûdzh
e.g. ors lûdzh = grizzly bear, pedn lûdzh = grey-haired
primary colours:
kenza liuio (SWF: kensa liwyow)
red/russet/gingery = rûz/ruz
e.g. gwiwer rûz = red squirrel
e.g. pedn ruz = a red-head (was an insult)
red/scarlet = rŷdh (SWF: rudh)
e.g. gwîn rŷdh = red wine
The town of Redruth was Resrŷdh = red ford
Rŷdhvôz = red bank/wal became Ruthvoes
vermilion/red-lead = melez
brick-red = kigliu (literally meat colour) (this is also pink, and can be used for the carnation/pink flower)
yellow = melin (SWF: melyn)
e.g. pedn melin = blond/fair-haired
e.g. melin ui = egg yolk
fiery yellow/orange = uirek (yolk/eggy coloured)
deep yellow = rŷdh-vellin
honey = mêl (SWF: mel)
blue/azure = blou (can also mean off-colour)
blue/blue-grey = glâz
but keaz glâz is not blue cheese
(for that you would have to use keaz vinid = blue-veined cheese)
secondary colours:
nessa liuio (SWF: nessa liwyow)
green = glâz (SWF: glas)
e.g. deel glâz (pronounced dale glaze) = green leaves, foliage
(gives rise to glason or glizzon = a lawn, a green)
may show soft mutation, as in an ûn lâz = the green down (metaphor for the sea)
bright/leaf green = gwêr (SWF: gwer/gwyrdh)
e.g. gwerwelz = green pasture
bottle-green = gwedrek
purple = pyrpyr
mauve = bazzom (can also used for heather flower)
indigo/violet/lilac/lavendar (no Cornish words)
orange = maligog (also a marigold)
golden = ouriek (not to be confused with eggy uirek)
e.g. êr ouriek = golden eagle
gold (metal) = our/aur
other colours:
liuio orol (SWF: liwyow aral)
brown = teual/teul (also means dark, obscure)
e.g. bara teul = brown bread
brown = donak (also means swarthy, tanned, beige or brunette)
e.g. pedn donak (brown-haired, brunette)
silver = arrans
e.g. pêl arrans = silver bal (used in the game of hurling)
silver metal/money = argan (SWF: arhans)
cream = dehen
Coloured things:
taclaw liuiez (SWF: taclow/taklow/traow ………….)
a flower = bledzhan
flowers = bledzhednaw
a tree = gwedhan/gwidhan
trees = gwŷdh (-widh in compound words)
grass = gwelz
e.g. maga gwêr avel an gwelz = as green as the grass
the sky = an ebbarn (SWF: ebren) or an neav
ground/earth = doar (SWF: dor)
the sea = an môr (SWF: mor)
sand/beach = dreath/treath
a horse = mar/marh/marth (SWF: margh)
a car = carr (also used for cart or vehicle in general) (SWF: carr/karr)
a bird = (SWF: edhen/edhyn)
hair = bleau
eyes = lygadzhaw
coat = cota
dress = pous (SWF: dillas)
trousers (pair of) = lavrak
Let's go shopping
The spelling here is mainly taken from Dick Gendall's latest dictionary, based on the spelling of Edward Lhuyd. Where available, I have added some of the new SWF.
Let’s Go Shopping
Gero nei marhazna
Places to spend money:
Old fashioned shops where the proprieter lived on the premises can all be called "chei……………".
(mediaeval ji and ti)
so SWF: gwerthji /gwerthjy= sales house for shop
and bosti/bosty = food house for restaurant
from gwerh = a sale, disposal
or gwerra = to sell, market, dispose of
and bûz = food (SWF: boos)
Traditionally craftsmen who had a workshop and retail outlet all in one would have had a "shoppa……………" - has unusual mutation to "an joppa": plural shoppez (SWF: shoppys)
A small fashionable shop, borrowing from the French boutique, gives us "boutig" (though SWF: shoppa bian).
An establishment that sells food or drink to consume on the premises is some sort of "tavarn" (SWF: tavern).
Shops can also be called by what they sell. Things associated with, say, the house are "daffar…………….."
Then we have more informal barrow (gravar), stall (stall), market (marhaz f) and warehouse (skiber f) of various sizes, and the modern one-stop-shop big market (supermarket = marhaz vrauz f).
Any sort of tradesman is a "gwikar" (a slang version being gucker) and a maker is a "gwilver" (from gwîl = to make).
Or, of course you may wish to shop on-line from a web-site (gwiasva).
No longer does the peddlar (troatsher) come to the door or to fairs, but Cornish still hasn’t caught up with things like garden centres!
Here are some of the tradesmen (or women) who might have a chei or shoppa – even though these days they are less likely to live/work on the premises. Also some of the articles sold in specialist shops (again, fewer these days).
baker = pebar (peba = to bake); giving chei pebar
butcher = keger (kîg = meat); giving chei keger
chandler (for boat/ship supplies) = shoppa daffar lestri/listri
clothes = dilhas giving shoppa dilhas/ boutig dilhas (SWF: shoppa dillas)
cobbler/shoe or boot maker = kerior
costermonger = gwikar lavalo (lavalo = apples or fruit in general)
dairy = laiti (dairyman = leathur)
draper/haberdasher = gwikar padnaw (padn = cloth); giving shoppa padnaw
dressmaker, seamstress = seuadez; giving chei seuadez
farmers = tiogo (sing. tîak)
fisherman = dên an pyskaz/pysgaz, pysgadar (SWF: pyskador)
fish monger = gwikar pyskez (SWF: fish shop = gwerthji pusces)
greengrocer = gwikar luzu; giving chei gwikar luzu = greengrocer’s
grocer = maithor; giving chei maithor
hardware = daffar chei; giving shoppa daffar chei
hosier = gwikar lydraw (breeches maker)
iron monger = hôarnier (hôarn/hôrn = iron) but hernior = farrier
leather worker/saddler, etc. = sair/oberor croan
milkman = leathur
shoes = skitcho; giving shoppa skitcho
supplies, groceries = victual; giving chei victual = grocer’s
tailor = seuadh, trohar, coulter; giving chei/shoppa seuadh
wine merchant = gwikar gwîn (SWF; gwin = wine)
What’s on your shopping list?
fish = pesk
fish and chips = pesk ha scubmaw
cod = barvaz (bearded one)
crab = crang/cankar
herring = hering
lobster = legest
mackerel = breal/brîal/scad
mussels = besol
oyster = estren
salmon = souman, eaug
shrimps = bibanbûbaz
smoked fish = fiumâd, pesk megez
trout = tryff
whiting = gwidnak
meat = kîg
to specify the type just add the name of the animal
kîg leauh = veal
kîg môh = pork
kîg porrel = pork
kîg davaz = mutton
kîg ôan = lamb
kîg bouin = beef
kîg kynin = rabbit (SWF: konin/conin)
kîg iâr = chicken (SWF: kig yar)
kîg devenez = mince meat
bacon = backken
ham = morraz hôh
lard = mêhin
suet/dripping/fat = söath/so/blonak
dairy produce = hwitsul
milk = leath (SWF: leth)
fresh milk = leath crîv
scalded milk = leath kithez (this would be our UHT milk)
junket = coula
curdled milk (yoghurt?) = leath coulez
cream = dehen (SWF: dehen)
clotted cream = dehen coulez
scalded cream = dehen kithez (same as clotted cream)
icecream = dehen reau
butter = manin (SWF: amanen)
margarine = no Cornish translation
cheese = keaz (SWF keus)
(unprocessed cheese = keaz crîv; unripe cheese = keaz glâz))
eggs = uio (SWF: oyow)
Other groceries
oil = oil
juice = sygan
a bottle of ……… = bottel a *………… (SWF: botel)
a bottle of wine = bottel a wîn
a can/tin of ………… = canna ………
a tin/can of beans = canna fâv
tinned fish = pesk stenez
a packet = fardel a *………………..
a box/ carton of = kistan/ bek a *……………. (SWF: box/boks)
a bag of …….. = zah a *………………. (SWF: sagh a ……………..)
note *("a" makes some nouns mutate)
sugar = côn
white sugar = brazîl
sugar lumps = nûbez côn
côn raous = unrefined sugar
flour = bleaz
white flour = hwigan
sifted flour = bleaz fîn
oats/porridge = kerh/ girti
oat cake/ oatmeal biscuits = bara kerh
cereal = îz (plural = issaw)
rice = (SWF: ris)
honey = mêl
jam = no Cornish translation
any sort of preserve, such as jam or pickles = occifath (SWF: kyfeyth)
vinegar = eysel (NK) (SWF: aysel)
salt = holan (SWF: holan)
pepper = peper (NK)
spices = spîsez
herbs = earbez, luzu
chocolate = choclat (NK)
a sweet = hwaka (from hwêg)
a (ready) prepared meal = prêz fittiez/parrez
At the baker’s
yeast = byrman, burman, gwêl, plymmen
bread = bara (SWF: bara)
sandwich/ bread and butter = mau, mo or marsel (but SWF: baramanen)
a loaf of bread = torth a vara *
white bread = bara gwidn, bara cann
wheat = gwanath
wheaten bread = bara gwanath
wholemeal bread = bara lean
barley = haiz
barley bread = bara haiz
rye bread = bara sygal
cake = tezan f
tezan wedn = yeast cake, currant bread
bun/roll/split = tezan vîan, tortel f
currant bun = tortel figez
pastry/tart/flan, etc. = fuggan, hobban, hobbin, figgi hobban, hogan (SWF: hogen)
pasty = cofan, coffan, hogan (SWF: hwiogen f)
meat pasty = coffan kîg
apple pasty = coffan lavalo
pie = crampez, hogan (SWF: hogen)
apple pie = crampez lavalo
biscuits = biskez
sweet biscuits = biskez hwêg
salty biscuits = biskez sallez
fairings/ginger biscuits = ferans
Cornish fairings = ferans Kernûak
What about your 5-a-day?
fruit = lavalo, frueth, frût (SWF: frooth/frothen/frut pl. frutys)
and vegetables = luzu, earbez
apple = aval (SWF: aval)
banana = banana (NK)
berry = moaran (this is also mulberry) plural = moiar
blackberries = moiar diu (singular = moaran dhiu)
cherries = shirian, kerez (singular kerissen)
cranberry = moaran rŷdh (plural moiar rŷdh)
grapes = boho, grappez
lemon/lime = lîmaval (NK)
orange = auraval (NK)
pear = peran (plural: pear)
plum = plyman f (plural plymez, plumez)
raspberries = moiar ruz (NK)
rhubarb = trinklez (NK)
strawberry (cultivated) = moaran/moran calah (plural moiar calah) (sevian/sevi NK)
wortleberries = issaw diu
broccoli/cauliflower = broklaw
cabbage = cavatsh, caul
carrots = caretez (NK)
greens = yngl
kale = magdulans
marrow = maro
parsnips = panez (sing. panan) (NK)
peas = peaz
potatoes = tettez (singular = pettot)
purple sprouting = broklaw glâz
swede = toxen (plural = tokis)
turnip (white) = tyrnypen
Let’s Go Shopping
Gero nei marhazna
Places to spend money:
Old fashioned shops where the proprieter lived on the premises can all be called "chei……………".
(mediaeval ji and ti)
so SWF: gwerthji /gwerthjy= sales house for shop
and bosti/bosty = food house for restaurant
from gwerh = a sale, disposal
or gwerra = to sell, market, dispose of
and bûz = food (SWF: boos)
Traditionally craftsmen who had a workshop and retail outlet all in one would have had a "shoppa……………" - has unusual mutation to "an joppa": plural shoppez (SWF: shoppys)
A small fashionable shop, borrowing from the French boutique, gives us "boutig" (though SWF: shoppa bian).
An establishment that sells food or drink to consume on the premises is some sort of "tavarn" (SWF: tavern).
Shops can also be called by what they sell. Things associated with, say, the house are "daffar…………….."
Then we have more informal barrow (gravar), stall (stall), market (marhaz f) and warehouse (skiber f) of various sizes, and the modern one-stop-shop big market (supermarket = marhaz vrauz f).
Any sort of tradesman is a "gwikar" (a slang version being gucker) and a maker is a "gwilver" (from gwîl = to make).
Or, of course you may wish to shop on-line from a web-site (gwiasva).
No longer does the peddlar (troatsher) come to the door or to fairs, but Cornish still hasn’t caught up with things like garden centres!
Here are some of the tradesmen (or women) who might have a chei or shoppa – even though these days they are less likely to live/work on the premises. Also some of the articles sold in specialist shops (again, fewer these days).
baker = pebar (peba = to bake); giving chei pebar
butcher = keger (kîg = meat); giving chei keger
chandler (for boat/ship supplies) = shoppa daffar lestri/listri
clothes = dilhas giving shoppa dilhas/ boutig dilhas (SWF: shoppa dillas)
cobbler/shoe or boot maker = kerior
costermonger = gwikar lavalo (lavalo = apples or fruit in general)
dairy = laiti (dairyman = leathur)
draper/haberdasher = gwikar padnaw (padn = cloth); giving shoppa padnaw
dressmaker, seamstress = seuadez; giving chei seuadez
farmers = tiogo (sing. tîak)
fisherman = dên an pyskaz/pysgaz, pysgadar (SWF: pyskador)
fish monger = gwikar pyskez (SWF: fish shop = gwerthji pusces)
greengrocer = gwikar luzu; giving chei gwikar luzu = greengrocer’s
grocer = maithor; giving chei maithor
hardware = daffar chei; giving shoppa daffar chei
hosier = gwikar lydraw (breeches maker)
iron monger = hôarnier (hôarn/hôrn = iron) but hernior = farrier
leather worker/saddler, etc. = sair/oberor croan
milkman = leathur
shoes = skitcho; giving shoppa skitcho
supplies, groceries = victual; giving chei victual = grocer’s
tailor = seuadh, trohar, coulter; giving chei/shoppa seuadh
wine merchant = gwikar gwîn (SWF; gwin = wine)
What’s on your shopping list?
fish = pesk
fish and chips = pesk ha scubmaw
cod = barvaz (bearded one)
crab = crang/cankar
herring = hering
lobster = legest
mackerel = breal/brîal/scad
mussels = besol
oyster = estren
salmon = souman, eaug
shrimps = bibanbûbaz
smoked fish = fiumâd, pesk megez
trout = tryff
whiting = gwidnak
meat = kîg
to specify the type just add the name of the animal
kîg leauh = veal
kîg môh = pork
kîg porrel = pork
kîg davaz = mutton
kîg ôan = lamb
kîg bouin = beef
kîg kynin = rabbit (SWF: konin/conin)
kîg iâr = chicken (SWF: kig yar)
kîg devenez = mince meat
bacon = backken
ham = morraz hôh
lard = mêhin
suet/dripping/fat = söath/so/blonak
dairy produce = hwitsul
milk = leath (SWF: leth)
fresh milk = leath crîv
scalded milk = leath kithez (this would be our UHT milk)
junket = coula
curdled milk (yoghurt?) = leath coulez
cream = dehen (SWF: dehen)
clotted cream = dehen coulez
scalded cream = dehen kithez (same as clotted cream)
icecream = dehen reau
butter = manin (SWF: amanen)
margarine = no Cornish translation
cheese = keaz (SWF keus)
(unprocessed cheese = keaz crîv; unripe cheese = keaz glâz))
eggs = uio (SWF: oyow)
Other groceries
oil = oil
juice = sygan
a bottle of ……… = bottel a *………… (SWF: botel)
a bottle of wine = bottel a wîn
a can/tin of ………… = canna ………
a tin/can of beans = canna fâv
tinned fish = pesk stenez
a packet = fardel a *………………..
a box/ carton of = kistan/ bek a *……………. (SWF: box/boks)
a bag of …….. = zah a *………………. (SWF: sagh a ……………..)
note *("a" makes some nouns mutate)
sugar = côn
white sugar = brazîl
sugar lumps = nûbez côn
côn raous = unrefined sugar
flour = bleaz
white flour = hwigan
sifted flour = bleaz fîn
oats/porridge = kerh/ girti
oat cake/ oatmeal biscuits = bara kerh
cereal = îz (plural = issaw)
rice = (SWF: ris)
honey = mêl
jam = no Cornish translation
any sort of preserve, such as jam or pickles = occifath (SWF: kyfeyth)
vinegar = eysel (NK) (SWF: aysel)
salt = holan (SWF: holan)
pepper = peper (NK)
spices = spîsez
herbs = earbez, luzu
chocolate = choclat (NK)
a sweet = hwaka (from hwêg)
a (ready) prepared meal = prêz fittiez/parrez
At the baker’s
yeast = byrman, burman, gwêl, plymmen
bread = bara (SWF: bara)
sandwich/ bread and butter = mau, mo or marsel (but SWF: baramanen)
a loaf of bread = torth a vara *
white bread = bara gwidn, bara cann
wheat = gwanath
wheaten bread = bara gwanath
wholemeal bread = bara lean
barley = haiz
barley bread = bara haiz
rye bread = bara sygal
cake = tezan f
tezan wedn = yeast cake, currant bread
bun/roll/split = tezan vîan, tortel f
currant bun = tortel figez
pastry/tart/flan, etc. = fuggan, hobban, hobbin, figgi hobban, hogan (SWF: hogen)
pasty = cofan, coffan, hogan (SWF: hwiogen f)
meat pasty = coffan kîg
apple pasty = coffan lavalo
pie = crampez, hogan (SWF: hogen)
apple pie = crampez lavalo
biscuits = biskez
sweet biscuits = biskez hwêg
salty biscuits = biskez sallez
fairings/ginger biscuits = ferans
Cornish fairings = ferans Kernûak
What about your 5-a-day?
fruit = lavalo, frueth, frût (SWF: frooth/frothen/frut pl. frutys)
and vegetables = luzu, earbez
apple = aval (SWF: aval)
banana = banana (NK)
berry = moaran (this is also mulberry) plural = moiar
blackberries = moiar diu (singular = moaran dhiu)
cherries = shirian, kerez (singular kerissen)
cranberry = moaran rŷdh (plural moiar rŷdh)
grapes = boho, grappez
lemon/lime = lîmaval (NK)
orange = auraval (NK)
pear = peran (plural: pear)
plum = plyman f (plural plymez, plumez)
raspberries = moiar ruz (NK)
rhubarb = trinklez (NK)
strawberry (cultivated) = moaran/moran calah (plural moiar calah) (sevian/sevi NK)
wortleberries = issaw diu
broccoli/cauliflower = broklaw
cabbage = cavatsh, caul
carrots = caretez (NK)
greens = yngl
kale = magdulans
marrow = maro
parsnips = panez (sing. panan) (NK)
peas = peaz
potatoes = tettez (singular = pettot)
purple sprouting = broklaw glâz
swede = toxen (plural = tokis)
turnip (white) = tyrnypen
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