Cornish by Design

Cornish by Design is a compilation of bilingual articles written for lifestyle and culture magazine Cornwall Today, in English and Cornish language. A gentle introduction to Kernewek and to everyday life in Cornwall, it’s packed full of Cornish language phrases that will amuse and delight anyone interested in discovering more about this wonderful minority Celtic language.

The foreword is written by Kirstie Newton, Editor of Cornwall Today magazine, who describes Brittain’s writing as “engaging, witty and relatable”.

“It’s hard to believe, but not everyone who ended up in Cornwall actually wanted to be there. Shipwreck victims, asylum seekers and prisoners. All those explorers and invaders, traders and merchants, farmers and fishermen, pilgrims and missionaries who made epic journeys by sea and on foot. A matter of survival for many, those settlers created new communities, introduced different cultures and made Cornwall what it is today – an extraordinary place ‘to the West’ where the land ends, the sun sets and the magic happens.”

About the author

Tanya Brittain describes herself as a cultural ambassador, Cornish language student, writer and tea drinker. Tanya was born and raised in South Yorkshire, England but has Breton ancestry. She graduated from Art college in the 80s and her first job was in the mining industry as an illustrator of specialist equipment for technical publications. She progressed rapidly through the ranks into general management and marketing. Working in the publishing, food and music industries over a period of twenty years, she ended up in Cornwall working on a six-month project. Six months became six years, six years became twelve, etc.