Re: Proverb exercise [was Re: Gaelic thing]

> >>> CENEDL   HEB     IAITH,         CENEDL   HEB    GALON
> >>
> >>> A nation without a language [is]A nation without a heart.
Kerno:
" 'na nacio san yn gante yn nacio san yn gorze "  is the direct way.

A more thoughtful version is: " 'na nacio cun yn gante yn  nacio  cun yn gorze. duranz que durea! "

This latter is heard more frequently amongst academia since this past spring's
publication of "Ystatus le Cante" (St. Perran's, 2002). The dialect boundary
has shifted to the West by some 25mi over the last half century since the last
"Ystatus" was published (St. P's, 1942). The Kerno-Brithenig/Paesan la Prowenc
border now runs in a NW to SE line about 20 miles east of Esca. Many people
have taken to calling their variety of Brithenig "Kernou Brou", or Kerno of the
Province. This certainly miffs many, but there's not much that can be done.
Approximately 70% of the Province speaks Brithenig (after a fashion); though
three of the four regions that constitute the Executive of the Provincial
government represent the remaining 30%. This is increasingly the cause of
tensions, as the official language of government is Kerno, though the greater
majority have only a tenuous to moderate grasp of this language.

Of the other related languages, Dewro is rapidly failing (and has been for a
century). It is now largely spoken only at home, though is losing in favour of
Kerno (west and south) and Brithenig. Domanu has been declared dead (with the
last speaker dying in 1998); Scillic and Lundic have long been dead ( last
known Scillic speaker died in 1912).

Alas for the bright hope of of the nation a century ago! -- that the whole Province
would soon reclaim its linguistic heritage after centuries of repression. It is
estimated in "Ystatus" that sometime between 2010 and 2030 Kerno will be spoken
only in the West and in a few islands through the rest of the Province, mostly
along the southern coast.

Ironically, Kerno is strongest in el Brous (Britanny); and they have no problems at all in
proudly flicking their noses at the French, saying: "en nacio sen en qant en
nacio sen en qour!" It is also thriving in America and Australasia.

Padraic.