Free trial
Get a feel for Cornish and KDL by having a go at Dyskans Onan (Lesson 1) and getting it marked for free. Email your answers to us, either as a standard email or as an attached MS Word file, and we will mark your work and email it back to you.
Each lesson begins with a reading passage in Kernewek (Cornish) along with a gerva (vocabulary) for that lesson. Study the passage below and the gerva. Don't attempt a written translation yet, but do try to work out the meaning. (The superscript numbers will be explained later.)
Using the .mp3 files, you can listen to and practise speaking the material in each lesson. Listen to the passage two or three times, following the text, and practise reading it aloud yourself.
Now attempt a written translation of the passage. Then go and do something else and come back later - but remember to bookmark this page first!
When you come back, don't look back at what you've already done: simply carry on from this point. Your next step in each lesson is to re-translate your English version of the reading passage back into Kernewek. The only thing you would be allowed to use for this stage would be the vocabulary.
When you have finished (and only then) check and mark your re-translation with the original.
You may discover errors in your first treylyans (translation) into Sowsnek (English), but it is, of course, possible to have different versions from the original, which are both good Kernewek and without change of meaning.
It is better to regard your treylyansow and dastreylyansow (re-translations) as your own private study. However, if you find difficulty or feel you need to have them checked, email them to KDL with your other work.
The next stage in each lesson is a number of govynnow (questions) on the reading passage. In the early lessons these are very easy. The answers should be included in the work you send for marking.
From the .mp3 file, listen to each question and its answer. A gap is left before the answer. Try to say each answer aloud (or read your written answer) after hearing the question, and again after the recorded answer, imitating the pronunciation on the recording. Do this several times until the questions and the answers are familiar.
Each lesson includes a grammar section, where each new point to be learned has an exercise to help you to understand and learn it.
Now try exercises 1 and 2 from your printed sheet.
Finally, try exercise 3 from your printed sheet.
Congratulations!
You have completed dyskans onan and taken your first step to learning Cornish.
Now email your govynnow answers and your gramasek exercises - either as a regular email or as an attached MS Word file - to:
kernewekdrelyther@hotmail.co.uk The teacher's comments will be sent back to you as soon as possible.
To continue with the course, go to the First Grade Lessons page where you can download the introductory material and your next lesson.
To register with KDL, post us the course fee of £10 (cheques payable to Kernewek dre Lyther) and in return, you will receive the First Grade Course audio cassette and will be able to continue to email your lessons for marking.
If you would like any further information about the Cornish language or KDL, don't hesitate to get in touch. We will be happy to answer your questions.
