The fourth grade is a study programme based on published books and past examination papers. The fourth grade examination comprises two three-hour papers and an oral examination. The first paper tests knowledge of the language only, usually by means of translation passages into English, questions to be answered in Cornish about a passage in Cornish, and essays to be written in Cornish. Sometimes questions of a specific grammatical nature appear but in any case a thorough knowledge of grammar and idiom is necessary to answer all the questions adequately.
The second paper is in two sections. Section A has questions on two set texts. Each set text runs for two years but every year one of the two is changed. Section B has questions on the history of Cornish, its status and relevance at the present time and related topics.
The work programme is accordingly divided into three parts, “Yeth” (language), “Lien” (texts) and “Istori” (history) The “Yeth” and “Istori” parts of the syllabus remain unchanged from year to year. For the “Lien” examination, each set text runs for two years but every year one of the two is changed. To help the student keep track of his progress a Students’ Record Sheet is available for each student on which he can mark off the date a piece of work is sent in to be marked, the date it is received back and the grade awarded for it. The lesson numbers run from 51 to 80, i.e. following on in sequence from the second/third grade old course.
The Language Programme, "Yeth"
For each lesson the student is asked to translate a passage. Whilst doing this work you should be constantly checking and revising any points of grammar and vocabulary you are unsure of, using your earlier course material and/or the Grammar of Modern Cornish. Students will be also asked to answer questions from past examination papers, to be returned to the tutor for comment.
The Set Text Programme, "Lien"
The tutor will allocate pages to be translated and then re-translated after being checked as with the translation work in the Language Programme. There are also questions on the texts with each lesson which should be answered and sent in to be marked.
The History Programme, "Istori"
Written work on the history programme does not begin until a little later in the course to give you a chance to do some reading. Useful books are “The Cornish Language and its Literature” by Peter Berresford Ellis and "The Cornish History Notebook, compiled by Dee Harris". You may also read “The Story of the Cornish Language”, “The Death of Cornish” and “The Life of Cornish”. It is equally important for you to be in touch with, and up to date with what is now going on in connection with the language so take part in as much Cornish activity as you can and, especially if you live outside Cornwall, read “An Gannas” from Kowethas an Yeth month by month.
You will be asked to answer questions on past papers. Students who have answered these most successfully are those who have spent many hours with books or on websites, often in public libraries finding out as much as possible about the topic in addition to what can be obtained from the sources already mentioned. By the time you have worked through the programme there will not be much you don’t know about the history and background of Cornish and the chances are you will already have written an essay which will near enough fit the requirements of the actual exam paper. Some of the questions are on place and personal names for which you will need to study and be able to refer to one or more of the books listed on these topics.
Lesson Plan and Record Sheet
Test Questions on the Set Texts
Reference Material
See the Fourth Grade New Course page
Books required
Books marked Kesva and Kowethas are currently obtainable from Kowethas an Yeth www.cornish-language.org
A Grammar of Modern Cornish Wella Brown (Kesva)
Wella Brown’s “Grammar of Modern Cornish.” is the main reference grammar and is essential for fourth grade students. Tutors will refer to it during the course as appropriate in comments on students’ work. The greater part of basic grammar has been covered however in the first two KDL courses.
Gerlyver Meur or The New Standard Cornish Dictionary Ken George (Kesva)
Cornish Verbs Ray Edwards (Kesva)
A Cornish-English, English-Cornish Dictionary R. Morton Nance (Agan Tavas)
The Cornish Language and its Literature P. Berresford Ellis (Routledge and Kegan Paul, Amazon)
A Popular Dictionary of Cornish Place Names O. J. Padel (Alison Hodge, Amazon)
And / or some popular books such as
The Story of the Cornish Language P. Berresford Ellis
The Cornish History Notebook, compiled by Dee Harris
The Life of Cornish Crysten Fudge
A Handbook of Cornish Surnames G. Pawley White
A Very Brief History of the Cornish Language Graham Sandercock
Place Names in Cornwall Ken George et al.
Books marked Kesva and Kowethas are currently obtainable from Kowethas an Yeth www.cornish-language.org
You will also need to subscribe to Kowethas an Yeth at www.cornish-language.org to obtain ‘An Gannas’.
As you can see above, the Fourth Grade is a very intense course and success requires many hours of work. It is therefore recommended that the student take 2 academic years to complete the course.