KESSEDHEK ARWODHYOW HA HENWYN-LE SIGNAGE AND PLACENAME PANEL

Transcription

1 KESSEDHEK ARWODHYOW HA HENWYN-LE SIGNAGE AND PLACENAME PANEL Kovnotyansow an kuntelles synsys: dy Gwener 21 mis Hedra 2016 Draft Minutes of the meeting held: Friday 21 October 2016 Present: N Meek (chair), J Edmondson, K George, L Jenkin, R Lyon In attendance: S Rogerson # Item Action 1. Diharesow / Apologies J Holmes, C Weatherhill 2. Kovnotyansow / Minutes The minutes of the meeting on 16 September 2016 were read and agreed with the following amendment: The translation for the Manor of Trevethan (Gwennap) should have read Maner Trevyudhon. 3. Materow ow sordya / Matters arising An went out asking about the level of detail required for signage minutes. The panel were happy with the minutes as normally provided, which highlight the discussion and explain the reasoning behind agreed translations. 4. Materow Ughella / Strategic Issues With the Akademi recognising the need for administrative support for the other panels, the signage panel were notified that this support may extend to minute taking for future signage meetings. There was a discussion on the workload of the signage panel, including the research involved for the Gorsedh and Taves an Tir booklets.

2 There was recognition that projects over the last 18 months did stretch the capacity of the panel, especially at points where several projects were running concurrently. It was suggested that the potential workload could be too varied. Where work had been completed by individuals, such as the Helston and Torpoint Gorsedh booklets, this research had not transferred to the signage masterlist as the group projects had. The panel agreed that where place-names are researched, this would need to go through the panel at least for a final approval. Another matter raised was the general lack of feedback from the panel, which was around a 25% response rate for s. This has been making it difficult to reach a consensus; it also meant that the panel chairperson, who is meant to be a neutral party, ended up conducting the initial research. This is a reversal of the roles between members and chairperson. Even short responses confirming agreement to a proposed translation is useful for determining consensus. Address Management had agreed that any mistakes in the Cornish would warrant a replacement sign; this only previously occurred with mistakes in the English spelling. The panel were asked to consider inviting another member with linguistic knowledge of Saxon. The current signage work includes: Street signage translations (ongoing); New development research is also part of the general CC remit. Although the result was beneficial, there can be a considerable amount of work involved (ongoing); Place-name translations (ongoing, rare); Launceston Gorsedh 2017 booklet; Cornwall parish names. Future work could include: A book of translations done for the 1:250,000 map; rivers names still require translations; The Kesva may be interested in a printed version of the Cornwall parishes list once completed; Pending agreement by the Porkellis project, a 2

3 Wendron place-name booklet could be produced by Pol Hodge. It would be useful to have the checking and a final approval from the signage panel; There were plans for a wider Penwith project within the next two years; Some research had already been completed on Gorran parish, originally started to coincide with the Tregedna weekend held there. Not a high priority. Any future work would need to be considered case-by-case. It would be beneficial for research to be completed before approaching the signage panel for input. 5. Arwodhow yn stret / Street signs a) Outstanding translations East Road (Stithians) = Fordh Est The existing Kerrier panel s translation was updated from Forth Est to match the Standard Written Form (SWF) spelling. Jelbert Way (Penzance) = Hyns Jylbert There are several spelling variants for this name as seen with the unusual initial <i> to <e> vowel change; this is a late Cornish shift. Other similar forms include Jelbard, Jelbart and Jilbert. Although originally of Germanic origin, these forms were considered Cornish forms of Gilbert (Jelberd 1584) and had been previously translated such at Wheal Gilbert (Redruth) as Hwel Jelbard. The agreed change from <e> to <y> moves the sound back to a Middle Cornish pronunciation. b) Parishes Cornelly (Ecclesiastic Paris [EP]) = Pluwgorneli Cornelly (Civil Parish [CP]) = Pluw Gorneli Korneli is the name of the church saint, first appearing in 1525 (Gover), the panel was satisfied that the use of the saint s name would be 3

4 appropriate. Earlier historical forms for this place-name reference Grugoyt including 1278 and The meaning is unclear without further research; one suggestion being grug heather + goodh watercourse. Marhamchurch (EP) = Pluwvarwenn Marhamchurch (CP) = Pluw Varwenn The place-name policy recognises gwenn as a feminine form of gwynn white, the final vowel was therefore changed from <y> to <e>. Morwenstow (EP) = Pluwvorwenn Morwenstow (CP) = Pluw Vorwenn The final <-a> was removed from the suggested translation Pluwvorwenna as this is a Latin feminine suffix. Church Dedication: Morwenna / Jowan an Besydhyer Pelynt (Settlement) = Pluwnennys Pelynt (EP) = Pluwnennys Pelynt (CP) = Pluw Nennys Following the suggestion of Pluwnennyd, it was argued that assibilation is a recognised feature of Middle Cornish and should immediately occur throughout. Nonna became associated with the parish from the 18th century; this would need to be examined further. Perranarworthal (settlement) = Peran ar Wodhel Ruan Major = Ruwon Veur Ruan Minor (EP) = Pluwruwon Vian It was queried whether the parish translation required y n woon in the downland as found in the existing settlement translation - Ruwon y n Woon. Gover had identified a form that included vyghan small ; the 4

5 panel were happy with the veur / vyghan contrast instead. Saint Agnes (Scilly) (CP) = Pluw Agenys St Anthony in Roseland (settlement) = DEFERRED Laurence O Toole wrote a book on the Roseland 1985 citing Rhos Innis. Although Ros Enys is a viable translation, area being referenced is unclear. Bohortha is the actual settlement, there is no official settlement at St Anthony in Roseland. St Anthony in Roseland (EP) = Pluwentenin (An Ros) Both St Anthony in Meneage and St Anthony in Roseland feature the same attribution as found in the 10th century list of church dedications. An Ros can be suffixed here to differentiate between the two. The original name Entenin is pre-conquest Saxon, later reattributed to Anthony. Between the two attributions, lann forms only occur at St Anthony in Meneage. S. Entenin was agreed as an alternative form. ACTION: All three entries for St Anthony in Meneage (EP, CP and settlement) all show the Cornish form as Pluwentenin. NM Saint Columb Major (settlement) = S. Kolom Veur The original translation S. Colom Veur was agreed while the place-name policy was still in development. The panel agreed to update the spelling to <K->. It was noted that a group in St Columb Major were interested in running a Taves an Tir style project for the area. Saint Columb Minor (Settlement) = S. Kolom Woles Saint Columb Minor (EP) = Pluwgolom Vyghan Saint Day (Settlement) = S. Dey (SWF spelling confirmed) 5

6 Saint Endellion (Settlement) = S. Endelyens Saint Endellion (EP) = Pluwendelyens Saint Endellion (CP) = Pluw Endelyens A final <t> was present in historical forms until 1439, therefore a final <-s> was added. The meaning is obscure, with suggestions that <-en> may be the definite article and del may refer to leaves. Saint Goran (Settlement) = Lannworon Saint Goran (EP) = Pluwworon Saint Goran (CP) = Pluw Woron The final <-on> / <-yon> is presumed to be gor + on the super one. Kennal (Stithians) = DEFERRED The translation for River Kennal had already been agreed as Dowr Kenyel, although this translation was questioned. This name was believed to be linked to the river name, which is often much older and tends to retain the spelling. Previous research showed that many sizable kennels (channels) were present, leading to 17 or more mill sites in the valley. The word may come from a Latin root, or a very early Cornish word. c) Intermediate Names N/A 7. Negys aral / Any Other Business a) Launceston Project Launceston Gorsedh 2017 There will be a project team specifically conducting research for the Launceston booklet. The parish covering most of Launceston (Launceston St Mary Magdalene) is very small, but street names could also be used effectively in the research. A further two 6

7 neighbouring parishes would also be examined. On the Helston booklet, a radius of approximately two miles was selected instead of the specific parishes. This would pose another issue with Launceston however as other surrounding parishes are mostly of Saxon origin. It was queried whether it was in the panel s remit to research Saxon names of Cornwall, perhaps the Gorsedh could work on this instead. Sources for existing research on Saxon names included Svenson and Gover s place names of Devon and Ekwall. There is also an online Saxon dictionary. Instead of translating all of the names into Cornish, perhaps a list of basic Saxon elements and their Cornish equivalents could be added in the introduction. 8. Dydh an kuntelles nessa / Date of next meeting Friday 18 November 2016, 10am, 2N:06, NCH 7