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Are lost languages coming back? Are lost languages coming back?
(about 8 hours later)
English may be the mainstay language of Britain and its islands, but it's far from the only tongue in town. But while languages like Welsh, Irish and Scottish Gaelic are fiercely protected, others are threatened.English may be the mainstay language of Britain and its islands, but it's far from the only tongue in town. But while languages like Welsh, Irish and Scottish Gaelic are fiercely protected, others are threatened.
"Vel oo geearree jough?" says Adrian Cain to his four-year-old son Orry who has stumbled into the kitchen in search of breakfast."Vel oo geearree jough?" says Adrian Cain to his four-year-old son Orry who has stumbled into the kitchen in search of breakfast.
"Moghrey mie," replies Orry. "Kys t'ou?""Moghrey mie," replies Orry. "Kys t'ou?"
To English-speakers, this family scene must sound as if it is being played out in a language from some far-flung island.To English-speakers, this family scene must sound as if it is being played out in a language from some far-flung island.
But we are far closer to English shores than you might suppose.But we are far closer to English shores than you might suppose.
For Manx is the native tongue of the Isle of Man.For Manx is the native tongue of the Isle of Man.
The language is similar to Gaelic, says Mr Cain, who works at Culture Vannin, which promotes Manx culture.The language is similar to Gaelic, says Mr Cain, who works at Culture Vannin, which promotes Manx culture.
"It makes the Isle of Man what it is," he says. "But the last native speakers died in the 1970s. By the 90s, just a few people had learned it.""It makes the Isle of Man what it is," he says. "But the last native speakers died in the 1970s. By the 90s, just a few people had learned it."
However, experts believe Manx is making a comeback.However, experts believe Manx is making a comeback.
Teach yourself ManxTeach yourself Manx
Moghrey mie, kys t'ou? - Good morning. How are you?Moghrey mie, kys t'ou? - Good morning. How are you?
Ta mee braew - I'm fineTa mee braew - I'm fine
Tooilley praaseyn my sailt - More potatoes pleaseTooilley praaseyn my sailt - More potatoes please
Noddym jannoo jalloo hene mayrt? - Can I have a selfie with you?Noddym jannoo jalloo hene mayrt? - Can I have a selfie with you?
Ta allerjee ayms roish kiyt - I am allergic to catsTa allerjee ayms roish kiyt - I am allergic to cats
Ta mee goll seose as goaill jeh m'edd - I am going upstairs to take off my hatTa mee goll seose as goaill jeh m'edd - I am going upstairs to take off my hat
At the Bunscoill Ghaelgagh, Orry's school, you will find part of the reason behind the resurgence.At the Bunscoill Ghaelgagh, Orry's school, you will find part of the reason behind the resurgence.
Here, 70 children aged between four and 11 sit learning maths and pouring over geography books, all in Manx. Here, 70 children aged between four and 11 sit learning maths and poring over geography books, all in Manx.
The school was set up after campaigners lobbied the Manx government.The school was set up after campaigners lobbied the Manx government.
After starting out with just nine speakers in 2001, the school has grown consistently.After starting out with just nine speakers in 2001, the school has grown consistently.
"Parents have different reasons for sending their children here," said head teacher Julie Matthews, herself a Manx speaker."Parents have different reasons for sending their children here," said head teacher Julie Matthews, herself a Manx speaker.
"Some speak Manx themselves and want their children to learn it. Others think a second language makes you more flexible in your thinking. And some like our creative teaching.""Some speak Manx themselves and want their children to learn it. Others think a second language makes you more flexible in your thinking. And some like our creative teaching."
Nowadays, 1,800 people can speak Manx with varying degrees of ability. Crucially, most are young speakers.Nowadays, 1,800 people can speak Manx with varying degrees of ability. Crucially, most are young speakers.
GCSE and A Level equivalents can be taken in Manx and there is even a Manx translation of children's book The Gruffalo.GCSE and A Level equivalents can be taken in Manx and there is even a Manx translation of children's book The Gruffalo.
"There's been a real generational shift," said Mr Cain."There's been a real generational shift," said Mr Cain.
On the danger listOn the danger list
Manx: Critically endangered (spoken mainly by the grandparents' generation)Manx: Critically endangered (spoken mainly by the grandparents' generation)
Cornish: Critically endangeredCornish: Critically endangered
Guernesiais: Severely endangered (spoken mainly by the parents' generation)Guernesiais: Severely endangered (spoken mainly by the parents' generation)
Jèrriais: Severely endangeredJèrriais: Severely endangered
Source: UNESCOSource: UNESCO
In Cornwall, language campaigners look on with envy.In Cornwall, language campaigners look on with envy.
"The Isle of Man has its own government, whereas we have to rely on funding from Westminster," said Loveday Jenkin from the Cornish Language Fellowship charity."The Isle of Man has its own government, whereas we have to rely on funding from Westminster," said Loveday Jenkin from the Cornish Language Fellowship charity.
Last year, the campaign received £120,000, which will run out in April 2015. It is not clear whether it will receive any more.Last year, the campaign received £120,000, which will run out in April 2015. It is not clear whether it will receive any more.
"It's so difficult to get people in London to understand Cornish is a living, breathing language," said Mr Jenkin."It's so difficult to get people in London to understand Cornish is a living, breathing language," said Mr Jenkin.
He believes there are only "a few hundred" fluent Cornish speakers left. At one stage Cornish was classed as "extinct" by UNESCO, but campaigners have kept it going.He believes there are only "a few hundred" fluent Cornish speakers left. At one stage Cornish was classed as "extinct" by UNESCO, but campaigners have kept it going.
Tony Hak runs Friday night Cornish classes in London.Tony Hak runs Friday night Cornish classes in London.
His 30 students are mainly Cornish ex-pats looking to stay in touch with their roots.His 30 students are mainly Cornish ex-pats looking to stay in touch with their roots.
Awareness is growing, says Mr Hak.Awareness is growing, says Mr Hak.
"We have to turn people away," he said. "It's definitely more popular. But Cornish still needs help.""We have to turn people away," he said. "It's definitely more popular. But Cornish still needs help."
Teach yourself CornishTeach yourself Cornish
What is the best way to the Eden Project? - Pyth yw an gwella fordh dhe'n Edenva?What is the best way to the Eden Project? - Pyth yw an gwella fordh dhe'n Edenva?
I think we've run out of milk - Ni re worfennas an leth, dell grysav.I think we've run out of milk - Ni re worfennas an leth, dell grysav.
I'm a big fan of Rick Stein - Skoodhyer bras a Rick Stein ov.I'm a big fan of Rick Stein - Skoodhyer bras a Rick Stein ov.
I'd like to order a Cornish cream tea - My a garsa erghi te dehen kernewek.I'd like to order a Cornish cream tea - My a garsa erghi te dehen kernewek.
Unlike Cornwall, the Channel Islands of Jersey and Guernsey have governments on their doorsteps.Unlike Cornwall, the Channel Islands of Jersey and Guernsey have governments on their doorsteps.
For language champions, the challenge is to use the small army of native-speakers - generally aged over 60 - to enthuse the younger population.For language champions, the challenge is to use the small army of native-speakers - generally aged over 60 - to enthuse the younger population.
The historical language of Jersey is Jèrriais - a French-like language derived from Norman.The historical language of Jersey is Jèrriais - a French-like language derived from Norman.
Teach yourself JèrriaisTeach yourself Jèrriais
I would like to order a coffee with milk - Bailliz-mé, s'i' vos pliaît, un café au lait.I would like to order a coffee with milk - Bailliz-mé, s'i' vos pliaît, un café au lait.
Does it contain peanuts? - Ch'est-i' qu'chenna contcheint des nouaix d'tèrre?Does it contain peanuts? - Ch'est-i' qu'chenna contcheint des nouaix d'tèrre?
Go straight ahead and then turn right at the petrol station - Allez tout drait épis touônnez à drouaite à la pompéthie d'pétrole.Go straight ahead and then turn right at the petrol station - Allez tout drait épis touônnez à drouaite à la pompéthie d'pétrole.
My car engine is making a funny noise - L'engîn d'ma vaituthe clianque au manche.My car engine is making a funny noise - L'engîn d'ma vaituthe clianque au manche.
Tony Scott Warren from L'Office du Jèrriais - a language trust - remembers when Jèrriais was spoken across Jersey.Tony Scott Warren from L'Office du Jèrriais - a language trust - remembers when Jèrriais was spoken across Jersey.
In 1986, there were 5,700 Jèrriais speakers but in 2001 that figure had dropped to 2,700.In 1986, there were 5,700 Jèrriais speakers but in 2001 that figure had dropped to 2,700.
"Most enthusiasts are in their 70s and 80s and are not going to become teachers," said Mr Scott Warren."Most enthusiasts are in their 70s and 80s and are not going to become teachers," said Mr Scott Warren.
In Guernsey, speakers of the native language Guernesiais number less than 500 but hopes are high it could be back in fashion.In Guernsey, speakers of the native language Guernesiais number less than 500 but hopes are high it could be back in fashion.
A translation service, set up by the island's Language Commission, has attracted a wave of requests for Guernesiais phrases for weddings, headstones and even tattoos.A translation service, set up by the island's Language Commission, has attracted a wave of requests for Guernesiais phrases for weddings, headstones and even tattoos.
"Language is very emotive and part of your identity," said Josephine Dowding, from the commission."Language is very emotive and part of your identity," said Josephine Dowding, from the commission.
Guernsey weddings and tattoosGuernsey weddings and tattoos
I will love you forever - J't'oïmerai à jaumaisI will love you forever - J't'oïmerai à jaumais
For my husband/for my wife - Pour m'n Haome/Pour ma FaumeFor my husband/for my wife - Pour m'n Haome/Pour ma Faume
One perfect year - énne parfaete onnaïeOne perfect year - énne parfaete onnaïe
Fortune favours the brave - Lé bouneur favorise les tchérusFortune favours the brave - Lé bouneur favorise les tchérus
The commission, set up in 2013, co-ordinates the island's many Guernesiais groups - ranging from a dance group to a choir.The commission, set up in 2013, co-ordinates the island's many Guernesiais groups - ranging from a dance group to a choir.
"There's a good vibe around Guernesiais now," said Ms Dowding."There's a good vibe around Guernesiais now," said Ms Dowding.
"In this vanilla-coloured world, it's important people appreciate what's on their doorstep - and that includes the quirky nature of indigenous languages.""In this vanilla-coloured world, it's important people appreciate what's on their doorstep - and that includes the quirky nature of indigenous languages."
But why is it so important to retain languages with - at best - a few thousand speakers when almost all Britons speak English?But why is it so important to retain languages with - at best - a few thousand speakers when almost all Britons speak English?
"There are all sorts of reasons why we should stop smaller languages being engulfed by the big beasts," said Christopher Moseley, a University College London lecturer and the editor of the UNESCO Atlas of the World's Languages in Danger."There are all sorts of reasons why we should stop smaller languages being engulfed by the big beasts," said Christopher Moseley, a University College London lecturer and the editor of the UNESCO Atlas of the World's Languages in Danger.
"Each language represents a different world of thought - centuries of collected wisdom.""Each language represents a different world of thought - centuries of collected wisdom."
Some languages, he believes, have disappeared - the island of Alderney's, for example.Some languages, he believes, have disappeared - the island of Alderney's, for example.
However, his latest report into the findings, for GoEuro, suggests the Manx revival could see it moved out of its "critically endangered" category within decades.However, his latest report into the findings, for GoEuro, suggests the Manx revival could see it moved out of its "critically endangered" category within decades.
"It's very heartening," he said. "No other European language has been turned around from such a dire position.""It's very heartening," he said. "No other European language has been turned around from such a dire position."