2025 Day 345

2025 Dedh Trei Hans Dogens ha Pemp

De Yow, üdnegves mis Kevardhû
Thursday, 11th December

In Kernow, da ew genen curlys Nadelik. Terweythyow thew an curlys keswlasek, scrifys gen nebonan en pow aral, saw ma curlys a Gernow ewedh. Otta curl scrifys gen nebonan en Kernow (ma nebes treylyansow).

In Cornwall, we love Christmas carols. Sometimes the carols are international, written by someone in another country, but there are Cornish carols too. Here's a carol written by someone in Cornwall (there are several translations).

Curl Sent Dey  St Day Carol

 1. Greun gwydn eus dhe’n kelyn, 

        maga wydn avel an rew, 

 Ha dinethys veu Jesus, 

        an üdn Mab Duw. 

 (posorn) 

 Ha Jesus ew ’gan Salvador, 

        agan pernas der y woos, (gooj) 

 Ha’n kelyn o an kensa 

        dhe devy e’n coos, 

 Kelyn, Kelyn, 

 Ha’n kelyn o an kensa 

    dhe devy e’n coos. 

 2. Greun glas eus dhe’n kelyn, 

        ’ga las ’vel an gwels, 

 Ha Maria dheg Jesus, 

        a verwas dhe’n grows. 

 (pednposorn) 

 3. Greun dû eus dhe’n kelyn, 

        ’ga dhû ’vel an glow, 

 Ha Maria dheg Jesus, 

        veu gòrrys en vow. 

 (pednposorn) 

 4. Greun rüdh eus dhe’n kelyn, 

        ’ga rüdh ’vel an ros, 

 Ha Maria dheg Jesus 

        a dhassorhas e’n nos. 

 (pednposorn) 

 Nebes geryow Some words 

 coos (m) wood 

 crows > grows (f) cross 

 dinethys (v.a.) born 

 a dhassorhas rose again 

        < dasserhy to rise again 

dheg bore, carried 

        < don/degy to bear, carry

glow (m) coal, charcoal 

gooj ~ goos (m) blood 

        > y woos his blood 

greun berries (collective plural) 

        > sing. greunen 

gòrrys (v.a.) put 

        < vb gòrra 

gwels (collective) grass 

        > sing. gwelsen 

kelyn (m) holly 

kensa first 

(pedn)posorn (m) refrain, chorus 

rew (m) frost 

tevy > dhe devy to grow 

verwas died < vb merwel 

vow ~ fow (f) cave (grave, tomb) 

ST DAY (was Seynt Dey in 1358)       

2025 Day 344

2025 Dedh Trei Hans Dogens ha Pajar

De Merher, degves mis Kevardhû
Wednesday, 10th December

Ma nos an hirra ow tos nes, bes theram ow pedery a'n dedhyow hir ha tòbm a vedn dos nessa mis Efan. Ma whegh mis dhen rag para Seythen Cowsel Kernôwek (Seythen Kewsel Kernewek). Pandr' vedn nei leverel?

The longest night is approaching, but I am thinking of the long hot days that will come next June. We have six months to prepare Speak Cornish Week. What will we say?

2025 Day 343

2025 Dedh Trei Hans Dogens ha Trei

De Meurth, nawes mis Kevardhû

Tuesday, 9th December

Hager awel hedhew. Mall ew genam nessa mis Me - howlsplan ha flourys.

Horrible weather today. I'm looking forward to next May - sunshine and flowers.

2025 Day 342

2025 Day Trei Hans Dewgens ha Dew

De Lün, ethves mis Kevardhû
Monday, 8th December

En Peneglos Truru nehewer thera ordenal er cov an düs ew kellys dhen - an düs na vedh genen rag an Nadelik ma. Leun o an peneglos gen pobel ha cantellow. Henwys ew an ordenal "Gòlowowgh Bownans". Thera bandys brest ow seny carolys Nadelik, keur voysys gorow ow cana canow a Gernow. Thera geryow wheg ha pejadow gen an Epscop. Scrîn brâs  a dhisqwedhas henwyn tüs dhe vos remembrys.   

In Truro Cathedral yesterday evening there was a service in memory of the people we have lost - people who will not be with us for this Christmas. The cathedral was full of people and candles. The service was called "Light up a Life". There were brass bands playing Christmas carols, a male voice choir singing songs of Cornwall. There were nice words and prayers by the Bishop. A screen displayed the names of people to be remembered.

2025 Day 341

2025 Dedh Trei Hans Dogens hag Onan

De Sül, seythves mis Kevardhû

Sunday, 7th December 

De a veu dedh specyal rag flehes da en Jermany (Almayn). Eskis glan gerys a-ves dh'aga daras a veu lenwys gen whegow po royow bian erel gans an epscop wheg, Sen Nicholas. Traveth rag flehes drog! Ma termyn lowr dhe owna aga vorrow ken Nadelik (ha Tas Nadelik).

 

Yesterday was a special day for good children in Germany. A clean shoe left outside of their door was filled with sweets or other little presents by the kind bishop, St Nicholas. Nothing for naughty children! There is enough time to mend their ways before Christmas (and Father Christmas).

2025 Day 340

2025 Dedh Trei Hans ha Dogens 

De Sadorn, wheffes mis Kevardhû
Saturday, 6th December

Solabres, ma tesen Nadelik debrys genam. Dallathys ew Nadelik! Ow bagas art a vetyas warbarth en Kresen Gemeneth Ke rag agan kefewy. Afînys o an hel. Pub onan a dhros tabm boos dhe radna. Nei a wrüg debry, eva ha liwya. Thera nebes disqwedhyansow a daclow gwavek rag awen. Lien bord blou po lien bord gwydn, gwedrednow po cantol lestry gwres a weder po cantolbren rüdh ha dûlas, greun rüdh po avalow pin, delkyow gwer po melyn? Dhe nei an dewis! Ha'n dra owriek gen eskelly - el po sperys Nadelik? Owr ha gweder, nag ens es dhe liwya. Martesen, tesen Nadelik war lien bord melyn ha gwydn alja bos esia. Ow pictour vy nag ew pur dha! Ow delkyow ew shâp cabm. Ow cantol ew liw cabm. (Gwell ew genam cantollow rüdh.) Ow avalow pin? Thens moy pecar'a tettys pindy!

I have already eaten Christmas cake. Christmas has begun! My art group met in Kea Community Centre for our party. The hall was decorated. Everyone brought a bit of food to share. We ate, drank and painted. There were several displays of wintery things for inspiration. A blue table-cloth or a white table-cloth, glasses or candlesticks made of glass or a red and dark green candlestick, red berries or pinecones, green or yellow leaves? The choice was ours! And the golden thing with wings - an angel or a Christmas fairy? Gold and glass, they aren't easy to paint. Perhaps Christmas cake on a yellow and white table-cloth could be easier. My picture is not very good. My leaves are the wrong sort. My candle is the wrong colour. (I prefer red candles.) My pine cones? They're more like mouldy potatoes!

2025 Day 339

2025 Dedh Trei Hans Nawnjek warn Ügens

De Gwener, pempes mis Kevardhû

Friday, 5th December

Isel ew an howl e'n mis ma. En fenowh ma va dadn an cloudys ha'n golow ell bos nebes stranj. Howldrevel, reb Caer Kief (Ker Kif), ha my ow còrtos kyttrin, a dhros ebòrn liw pecar'a brykelhen. Hanter dedh, ha my ow còrtos kyttrin dhe vos tre, my a welas cabmdhavas en ebòrn loos. Dohajedh, ha my ow kerdhes war nans, cloudys an iselha o cann, ha'n mor o brith ha golow.

The sun is low this month. Often it's below the clouds and the light can be rather strange. Sunrise, by Caer Kief ("Treestump Fort"), as I was waiting for a bus, brought a sky colour like an apricot. Midday, as I was waiting for a bus to go home, I saw a rainbow in a grey sky. In the afternoon, as I walked downhill, the lowest clouds were brilliant white and the sea was striped and luminous.

2025 Day 338

2025 Dedh Trei Hans Etek warn Ügens

De Yow, pajora mis Kevardhû
Thursday, 4th December

O whei parys rag Nadelik agas hònan? Eus othom dhe whei a neppeth moy? Martesen ro bian dhe wòrra war an wedhen Nadelik rag nebonan, martesen badna neppeth specyal dhe eva en kefewy? Ma marhas Nadelik et agan cita terebo Nos Nadelik. Ma neppeth òbma rag keniver onan. Gwag owgh? Mar medno whei saya boos nowydh, ma stallys lowr. Whei ell debry distowgh. Saw nag eus tra veth da rag an cobba! 

Are you ready for Christmas yourself? Do you need something more? Perhaps a little present to put on the Christmas tree for somebody, perhaps a drop of something special to drink in a party? There is a Christmas market in our city until Christmas Eve. There is something here for everyone. You are hungry? If you want to try new food, there are plenty of stalls. You can eat immediately. But there is nothing good for the young seagull!

2025 Day 337

2025 Dedh Trei Hans Seytek warn Ügens

De Merher, tryja mis Kevardhû
Wednesday, 3rd December

Ma nebes flehes a gar gwil "Christingle". Ma owraval rag an bes ha cantol rag Jesus Golow an Bes. Afinys ens gen snod rüdh rag gooj Crist ha frûtys sehys rag frûtys an Norves ha'n pajar sêson. Heb cantol thew "pomander" - afînans da rag an wedhen Nadelik.

Some children love making a "Christingle". There is an orange for the world and a candle for Jesus the Light of the World. They are decorated with a red ribbon for Christ's blood and dried fruits and sweets for the fruits of the Earth and the four seasons. Without a candle it's a "pomander" - a good decoration for the Christmas tree.

2025 Day 336

2025 Dedh Trei Hans Whetek warn Ügens

De Meurth, nessa mis Kevardhû
Tuesday, 2nd December

Ma Asvens ow tallath pajar Sül ken Nadelik. E'n vledhen ma ev a dhallathas an diwettha dedh a vis Dû. An tradicyon rag cryjygyon ew dhe wil garlont gen glasneth, gen pemp cantol. Üdn gantol a vedh tinys keniver Sül terebo Nadelik. An pempes cantol a vedh tinys Du Nadelik. An kensa cantol ew arwòdh Esperans. An second cantol ew arwòdh Cres. An tryja cantol ew arwòdh Lowender. An pajwora cantol ew arwòdh Kerenja. An pempes cantol ew rag  an Crist y hònan. Ha tüs erel? Gwell ew ganjans cawas calander Asvens. Ma hebma ow tallath an kensa dedh a vis Kevardhû, gen peder beister (po neyth) warn ügens. Terweythyow ma ro bian rag pub dedh. Anjei alja bos pur gostek. Nag ew an re ma rag an gryjygyon!

Advent begins four Sundays before Christmas. This year it began on the last day of November. The tradition for believers is to make a wreath with greenery, with five candles. One candle will be lit on each Sunday until Christmas. The fifth candle will be lit on Christmas Day. The first candle is a symbol of Hope. The second candle is a symbol of Peace. The third candle is a symbol of Joy. The Fourth candle is a symbol of Love. The fifth candle is for the Christ himself. And other people? They prefer to get an Advent calendar. This starts on the first day of December, with twenty-four windows (or drawers). Sometimes there is a little gift for each day. They could be very costly. These are not for the believers!

2025 Day 335

2025 Dedh Trei Hans Pemdhek warn Ügens

De Lün, kensa mis Kevardhû

Monday, 1st December

Advent ew plüw civil war vin Goon Bren, ogas dhe Camelford. Ma dhodho nebes trev bian gen henwyn Sowsnek, “Highertown” ha "Watergate" rag sampel, saw nag eus treveglos henwys “Advent”. Ma’n eglos emesk an gwelyow. Pur goth ew hei, ha Gradh Onan war rol a dreven a bris. Henwys “Adwyn” o hei en mil trei hans seyth warn ügens (terdhek cans seyth warn ügens, 1327). Nag eus kevren dhe "Advent" e'n vledhen eglosek, devedhyans an Crist. Adwen po Adwena o sans (tas sans a amors, pecar’a Valentine) - martesen broder Nectan po martesen mergh Metêrn Brychan a Gembra.

Advent is a civil parish on the edge of Bodmin Moor near Camelford. It has several little hamlets with English names, e.g. Highertown and Watergate, but there is no village called "Advent". The church is among the fields. (Photo Chris Heaton) It's Grade I on the list of important buildings. It was called "Adwyn" in 1327. There is no link to "Advent" in the ecclesiastical year, the coming of Christ. Adwen or Adwena was a saint (patron saint of sweethearts, like Valentine) - perhaps Nectan's brother or perhaps a daughter of King Brychan of Wales.  

2025 Day 334

 2025 Dedh Trei Hans Peswardhek warn Ügens

De Sül, degves warn ügens mis Dû

Sunday, 30th November

Mis Dû ew mis còtt. Ma deg dedh warn ügens dhodho. Bes nag ewa an còtta - henn ew Mis Whevrel. Nag eus bes eth dedh warn ügens dhe hedna (marnas en bledhen labm). Hedhyw, an diwettha dedh a'n mis ma, ew specyal rag Alban. Degol Androw lôwen dhe bub onan. Androw ew sans tasek Scotland.

November is a short month. It has thirty days. But it isn't the shortest - that is February. That only has twenty-eight days (except in a leap year). Today, the last day of this month, is special for Scotland. Happy St Andrew's Day to everyone. Andrew is Scotland's patron saint.

2025 Day 333

2025 Dedh Trei Hans Terdhek warn Ügens

De Sadorn, nawes warn ügens mis Dû

Saturday, 29th November

Ma lies pobel ow trîvya aga vanys ha kerry re üskis e'n vorrow bian. Diantel ew rag marhogyon ha marhogesow. Ma own dhe'm kentrevogesow rag aga mergh. Ma othom dhodhans a gemeres gwith. Ma arwòdh e'n ke:"Danjer. Mergh en fordh. Entrans cüdhys." Saw cüdhys ew an arwòdh y honan gen an ke. An dorgeun a dal kebmer gwith e'n vorr, ewedh.

There are many people who drive their vans and cars too fast on little roads. It's dangerous for horse riders. My neighbours are scared for the horses. They have to take care. There's a sign in the hedge: "Danger. Horses on road. Concealed entrance". But the sign itself is concealed by the hedge. The badgers should take care in the road, too.

2025 Day 332

2025 Dedh Trei Hans Dewdhek warn Ügens

De Gwener, ethves warn ügens mis Dû

Friday, 28th November

Nowodhow pur dha rag an tavas Kernôwek! Agan tavas a vedh gwithys der Radn Trei a Chartour Europek rag Tavasow Tiredhek po Minorita. E vedh dhe Gernôwek an keth savla avel an tavosow Keltek erel an Enesow Bretednek - Kembrek, Albanek, Werdhonek ha Godhalek a Enys Mann. Cüdhys ew Kernôwek bys lebmyn gen Radn Dew - bes Radn Trei a vedh moy efan. Pandra vedh gwres gen an Governans rag scodhya agan tavas? Nei a wra gweles!

Very good news for the Cornish language! Our language will be protected through Part Three of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. Cornish will have the same status as the other Celtic languages of  the British Isles - Welsh, Scottish Gaelic, Irish and Manx Gaelic. Cornish has been covered until now by Part Two - but Part Three will be more extensive. What will be done by the Government to support our language? We shall see!

2025 Day 331

2025 Dedh Trei Hans Üdnek warn Ügens

De Yow, seythves warn ügens mis Dû

Thursday, 27th November

Res ew dhebm powes ow gwavy dhe scrifa hebma! My a wra dastifüna et tien en gwenton. Mis Ebrel a vedh mis da.  

I must pause my hibernation to write this! I will wake up properly in spring. April will be a good month.