NEWS FROM THE CELTIC LEAGUE
CORNWALL: POLICE QUERIED AS BILINGUAL SIGNS GO MISSING!
The General Secretary (GS) of the League has written to Camborne police station at the request of the Kernow branch, following complaints regarding the use ofthe Cornish language.
The branch had been contacted after it was discovered that bilingual Cornish/English language signs used at the station had been removed this month to be replaced by English only signs. It was communicated to the League that a complaint about the signs had been made and that the complainant had said that the signs had caused them offence.
The League is led to believe that under new legislation it is enough for a person who makes a complaint to perceive it as such for it to actually be an offence. The branch were informed that there have been instances in the Devon and Cornwall constabulary where this has been applied to issues relating to Cornishness.
The full text of the letter sent by the GS can be found below.
“Superintendent Martin Orpe
Camborne Police Station
South Terrace
Camborne
Cornwall TR14 8SY
25/08/10
Dear Supt Martin Orpe
Cornish Language Signs
It has been brought to our attention that the Cornish/English language bilingual signs that were on display at Camborne police station have been removed. I have therefore been asked to write to you on behalf of the Kernow Branch of the League to enquire why this has been done.
As you will be aware the Cornish language is a fundamental part of the heritage of Cornwall and the language has been recognised under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. The European Charter places an emphasis on public institutions to promote the Cornish language. Consequently a number of organisations now use the Cornish language on an everyday basis, including on the use of signs. You will be aware that in November 2009, Cornwall Council decided to adopt a bilingual road sign policy throughout Cornwall. In addition,
in March 2010 Cornwall Council also published their Equality and Diversity Framework document which stated:
“Cornwall has a unique and special culture heritage. An increasing number of people describe themselves as Cornish and it is important in all our equality and diversity work that we actively recognise Cornish as a minority group and continue to support the Cornish Language and the Cornish indigenous culture.”
(see link).
In 2007 the Celtic League wrote to all the police forces that served the Celtic countries of Cornwall, Ireland, Isle of Man, Scotland and Wales to ask them to consider using more in their work the Celtic language and culture of their particular nation. The suggestions that were made by us as to how this could be done were received very positively by the different forces and a number of changes were made, including the use of the Manx language on all police vehicles in the Isle of Man.
We were consequently very encouraged to hear of the Camborne police station decision to use the Cornish language on signs in their premises, but are now equally disappointed that that decision seems to have been reversed for some inexplicable reason. I would therefore like to urge you, on behalf of the Kernow Branch and the Celtic League, to reconsider using the inclusive bilingual Cornish/English language version of the signs that you had up previously.
The area of Cornwall that Camborne police station serves is very proud of its Cornish heritage and I am sure you would like to reflect a part of this heritage in your work at the station.
We look forward to hearing your views on this matter.
Yours sincerely
Rhisiart Tal-e-bot
General Secretary
Celtic League”
See link here:
https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/idoc.ashx?docid=ca8be29f-8f7b-44a8-b562-59e8552b582b&\
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This article prepared for Celtic News by Rhisiart Tal-e-bot General Secretary Celtic League. For follow-up comment or clarification contact:
Tel: 0044 (0)1209315884
M: 0044(0)7787318666
J B Moffatt (Mr)
Director of Information
Celtic League
26/08/10
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