Commission Terms of Reference Commission for a Single Written Form of Cornish
1. Background
One of the priorities for the Cornish Language Partnership is to broker the debate around a single written form of Cornish for use in schools and in public life. There are currently four forms in use, each of which is supported by a greater or lesser number of users. Each has been developed in good faith and each is based on extensive research. Cornish therefore has four standard forms in use but a small language base. The opportunity to develop the language in schools and in public life, through the current support pledged by local authorities and central government therefore forces the Partnership to consider what form should be adopted as an agreed standard for this work. There is no question that the four forms currently in use should not continue and be supported – speakers of a language should be free to use whatever form they feel comfortable with, but the need to train teachers and to grow the language within formal systems dictates that agreement on a standard for these purposes is a priority.
This Commission is being established as part of a process to resolve this question. The process is intended to be open and time-limited and may result in the adoption of one of the existing forms or the evolution through consensus of a new standard form.
2. Purpose
To oversee a fair, open and time-limited process leading towards an agreement on the form of Cornish to be taught in schools and used in public life. The process will take as guiding principles: 1) that existing forms will continue alongside to be used by those who wish; 2) that the process will be based on mutual respect and 3) that the process must be open and accessible with good lines of communication.
3. Membership
Membership of the Commission shall be through invitation and appointment by the Cornish Language Partnership. The Chair shall be appointed by the Partnership
4. Method of Working
The Commission shall:
• Review evidence from all interested parties
• Ensure that all representations, past and present, are considered and taken into account
• Respond to the linguistic group and request information from them as appropriate
• Carry out the task by whatever means of communication is most appropriate/sensible
• Request meetings, actual or virtual, to be set up as necessary.
• Be serviced by the office of the Partnership, whose staff will assist as required
• At the end of the process present the findings and recommendations to the Partnership
• Be remunerated for the work as agreed between the Commission and the Partnership
• Agree a timetable to bring to the Partnership
5. Accountability
The Commission will report to the Partnership. The record of evidence submitted and the report of the Commission will be open to inspection at the end of the process.
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