Should Cornwall be a country?

[purplepoppy]

The Cornish language Kernewek has just been given legal recognition as an official British language giving it equal status with English, Welsh, Scots, and Irish gaelic. For example this means the next time you're in court you can insist on the proceedings being held in Kernewek. I don't speak it but in the pictures above the words are very similar to Welsh and Breton. With enough tolerance and alcohol it's possible to be understood in either place.

Cornwall was once a rich and powerful land thanks to trade links with the ancient Mediterranean world, and their geographical position benefited them long after Rome collapsed. Things only went downhill once tin became less valuable. Although in England, Cornwall is considered a Celtic nation and historically they've always been viewed as different/separate, if not legally recognised.

But now many in Cornwall want their country back, they say it's time to be officially recognised as the 5th UK nation. So is it time to consider giving them their independence?

[WindAtMyBack]

They'd be a poor as hell country. What's there? Some old abandoned mines, one town and a few villages?

The language might be recognized, but it's a reconstructed dead language. So there are no longer any native speakers. It's reconstructed from modern Welsh and old written Cornish. It's probably pretty close, but without any native speakers it's hard to know for sure.

I'm part Cornish on my mother's side. The town they were from is nothing but rubble. Cornwall as a country is nothing but pride. There is nothing there that can sustain an independent country.

I hate to see languages and cultures die, but history happens and the past is the past. For a language and culture to survive, the youth need to embrace it. What incentive do they have? It's a hell of a lot of work to learn a language fluently, so the entire language survives. To what end? The jobs are in the big cities and that's where the youth will go.

[pierre7i]

The UK is, I think, unique in that it is made up of 4 nations -- not states, provinces or regions but separate actual nations.

Having been to Cornwall several times I think it is remarkable for it's beauty and distinctiveness. And I agree with you @purplepoppy - you are a true princess of Wales and know about these things !!

So arise 'Cornwall' -- the 5th Nation of the United Kindom.

[Sunrising]

There are also 7 other countries in England, and there is also a North Wales and South Wales devide, a Highland Scotland, and Lowlands Scotland, and Ireland is also split between North, and South.
It used be Great Britain, but now it's heading heading backwards in history.
People in Wales used to ride donkeys for their transportation if they were wealthy.
Perhaps the donkeys will have their day again.

[Sunrising]

In USA America is powerful because it is a United States.
If we have a divided States then we are in trouble.
Relatively recently we had a divided America, and we had a Civil War.
Have we not learned from history?

[pierre7i]

The other '7 countries' you named are NOT separate nations in the same way asEngland, Wales, Scotland + Nth Ireland.

Independant Ireland (Eire) is NOT part of the equation !

Your rudeness about Wales is, I think, a cheap shot !!

[Sunrising]

@pierre7i I think you need to read your history books because you might learn something to your benefit.

[Sunrising]

@pierre7i That sounds a French name, do you support a divided France, or just a divided UK?

[purplepoppy]

There is a small linguistic divide between the Gogs of the North and Hwntw of the south and obvious rivalry, but it still one country. Donkeys had nothing to do with wealth. They're simply better for rough terrain and bad weather

[FreyaRed]

Yes, start deporting Anglo-Saxons, take their land and confiscate their cattle. England is weak, it's best time since 1000 years to get rid of this Anglo-Saxon yoke. Viva la revolution, something like that in Celtic.

[Tamera952]

Sure, …. why not? The more, the merrier. I’ve never even heard of that language before. Sounds interesting.

[RavVid]

I think it is a good thing dying languages to be given mouth to mouth with official recognition.

To keep up with Wales they should get their own Prince/Princess who would most naturally be the second oldest child. Maybe it might help the second eldest not to feel they are a spare.

I spose their white cross could be fitted into the Union Jack but the black quarters have to be left behind. Not sure if Australia, New Zealand and Hawaii have to update flags if the UK does.

[AviatorTom]

Cornwall would displace Northern Ireland as the smallest nation in the United Kingdom. Let the Cornish have their own parliament, the one in London doesn't pay much attention to them.

[purplepoppy]

The feeling across the UK, including england is parliament only cares about London and the South east.

[MrChinaski]

I hear Andrew is looking for work... the next King of Cornwall?

At least the pasties should be good and in generous supply... but then that has never seemed to be a problem around Andrew

... That should have thoroughly confused all the American readers out there. :)

[Jersey2]

I just read that they have Rare Earth minerals so they could become the 51st state of the USA. Trump should make them an offer. We could make Cornwall Great! I left off the ‘Again” as well, they never were I suppose. They better hurry as Greenland and Canada are considering it :D

[PeterLegg91]

No It's still part of England, and I know they think they are their own little country I LIVED THERE FOR UNDER A YEAR AND BEING LONDONERS ME MY FAMILY WERE TREATED LIKE SHIT 😠

They don't mind making money from us and other people from other parts of England the bastards

[purplepoppy]

In fairness being Londoners you're going to get treated like shit right across the UK

[PeterLegg91]

Nope Cornwall is bad most people know that , besides they can keep Cornwall it's outdated boring depressing glad we moved back :D they don't even have uber eats lol

[PeterLegg91]

What have you got against Londoners?

[Sunrising]

I suggest the Poppies of this world, Londoners, and people of Cornwall make their peace quickly, or it's going to be a rocky future for all of you.

[PeterLegg91]

They dislike anyone who's not cornish

[Sunrising]

There is an old proverb that the UK should take note of.

"United we stand, divided we fall".

[PeterLegg91]

We've already fallen

[Sunrising]

@PeterLegg91 But perhaps not rock bottom, yet!

[PeterLegg91]

Like you said united we stand THATS THE ONLY WAY WE SALVAGE IT :( but we're too divided too many woke 😠

[beefcakebradybatson]

Getting there quickly, though.

[mysteriousNicholas]

Yes and I have very distant Cornish ancestry 👌😁🥳 it should always have been treated as it's own country within the UK aka Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, England and Cornwall 🌽

[mysteriousNicholas]

@purplepoppy wishing you a happy holiday season and 2026

[purplepoppy]

Mining ancestors?

[mysteriousNicholas]

@purplepoppy no idea what they did - if it help's, they were on grand male's catholic lineage 👌😅🤭

[DryGermanGuy]

I don't know the local sentiments for such an idea, but I'm sure you don't want Ex-Yugoslavian mayhem and chaos in your country.

[emeraldsaphire]

Omg that's awesome! I'm all for cornwall Independence! I want Cornsit!

[jshm2]

LOL, that is the daftest thing I've heard all week and I've heard Farage and Trump talk too.

[Anonymous]

Yes, of course I support Cornwall, in its ancient borders, including Stonehenge (it's Celtic, not Anglo-Saxon).

I also support the independence of Isle Of Man, and restoration of Manx language.

[Opinion Owner]

King Arthur shall rise again ;)
(Many ignorant movies portray him as "the English king", but in reality, Arthur was a Celtic king, and he fought Anglo-Saxons).

[KostasKouvalis]

Why did I know this was you? And yeah, more countries is better. How are their athletes?

[beefcakebradybatson]

Perhaps, but it would be among the world's tiniest, least populated nations. Folk living there are Cornishwomen and Cornishmen.

[spartan55]

Don't they raise little hens there?

[Dargil]

Should California be a country?

[purplepoppy]

California doesn't have thousands years history behind it or it's own language there's no sense among the locals that it's a country.

[Dargil]

California doesn't have thousands years history behind it.
40,000 year starting with the Mongolian emigration across the land bridge.
109 Indian tribes. Lots of cultural diversity.
California has it own distinctive dialect.
Many Californians want to secede.

or it's own language there's no sense among the locals that it's a country.

[purplepoppy]

So your saying give it back to the Indians

[Dargil]

No, I'm not. Nor do I think the UK should give it back to Celt groups. Except...
Ireland and Ulster should be an independent nation.

[DrPepper12]

Sure why not. Gotta be easier than Basque

[purplepoppy]

Basque looks impossible. Usually I can see similarities between English/welsh and other languages but there's very little I would even guess in basque.

[DrPepper12]

SAME!

[CubaPirate]

Only if Yorkshire can too

[Shiprex]

No, it's not got any decent sports teams

[FunkyMonkee]

That'd be corny.

[snermcger]

Why? They would still controlled by the crown.

[noohair]

I had Cornish hens for Thanksgiving.

[robocop666]

You want the UK to fall apart? no thanks