The problem with trying to represent Cornish dialect on a computer screen is the dimensional incompatibility of the two. The computer zaps the writing straight across the screen as horizontal as rain crossing the square down St Just when 'tis blawin in a bit.

But Cornish dialect is not straight and flat and horizontal. Its main purpose is to please the ear and appease the soul. It is only 20 percent words. The rest is 60 percent music and melody, and 40 percent enchantment and poetry. It has to caress, it has to seduce. The message is all in the pattern of rising and falling tones.

As Granny Moon used to say, (she came from Barripper Harbour, so knew about these things)
"A good speaking voice has got to go up an down like a duck's feet swimming slowly in calm water, picking out its rhythm of the moment. The exact timing, and the quality of the silence between the words is as important as the tone of the words".

Alan

Alan Trevarthen
Gwened/Vannes
Bro Gwened/Morbihan
Breizh/Bretagne/Brittany
 

Below are some links to sites where you can listen to some Cornish Dialect.

This first one is a genuine recording of Richard J. Noall and My Feer-a-Moo Shiner was the first dialect piece to be published in the very first issue of the Federations journal "Old Cornwall" in 1925.  Hellesveor is on the road going  towards Zennor just outside St Ives in Cornwall. To read this first Journal on line click here

Click to listen

Camelford / St Genny Dialect & Sayings

If you click on the above link you will hear Chris Blount, who was for many years with the BBC, in conversation with Ken Phillips on the subject of dialect words and sayings. In this clip they are discussing words used in the Camelford area.

My thanks go to Chris for allowing me to use this clip. If you would like to hear more then go to his web site by clicking here using your back button to return.

British Library Dialect Page

The Route of English