Numbers in Cornish
Kernowek
Numbers in Cornish follow a vigesimal (base-20) system, making it unique among European languages. Spoken mainly in Cornwall, UK, by approximately 560 second-language speakers as of 2011, it belongs to the Brittonic branch of Celtic languages. The counting system combines traditional words with a pattern based on twenty, with special forms for teens and hundreds. This distinctive structure influences everyday counting, trade, and cultural expressions. Understanding the numbers in Cornish reveals a fascinating blend of history, language revival, and linguistic innovation, making it a compelling subject for language enthusiasts and linguists alike.
Number system
Cornish uses a vigesimal system, where numbers are primarily based on twenty. For example, 10 is 'deg', and 20 is 'ugens'. Numbers from 21 to 29 are formed by combining the units with 'warn ugens' (over twenty), such as 'eth warn ugens' for 28. Tens like 30, 40, 50, etc., are formed by adding prefixes to the root words: 30 is 'deg warn ugens', 40 is 'dew-ugens', and 50 is 'deg ha dew-ugens'. Compound numbers like 35 are 'pymthek warn ugens' (15 over 20), and 47 is 'seytek ha dew-ugens' (7 and 20). Hundreds are formed by placing the multiplier digit before 'kans', e.g., 'tri kans' for 300, and thousands by multiplying the digit with 'mil', e.g., 'peswar mil' for 4000. This pattern demonstrates a consistent use of twenty as the foundational counting unit, with specific words for teens, tens, hundreds, and larger numbers.
Number list (29)
Counting rules
Digits from zero to nine
Digits are represented by specific words: mann [0], unan [1], dew / diw [2], tri / teyr [3], peswar / peder [4], pymp [5], hwegh [6], seyth [7], eth [8], naw [9]. For example, 1 is 'unan', 4 is 'peswar', and 9 is 'naw'.
Formation of teens
Teens are formed by combining the unit with 'deg' (10): 11 is 'unnek', 12 is 'dewdhek', 13 is 'tredhek', 14 is 'peswardhek', 15 is 'pymthek', 16 is 'hwetek', 17 is 'seytek', 18 is 'etek', 19 is 'nownsek'. For example, 13 'tredhek' directly combines the unit 'tre' (three) with 'deg'.
Formation of tens
Tens are based on twenty, with specific words: 10 is 'deg', 20 is 'ugens', 30 is 'deg warn ugens', 40 is 'dew-ugens', 50 is 'deg ha dew-ugens', 60 is 'tri-ugens', 70 is 'deg ha tri-ugens', 80 is 'peswar-ugens', and 90 is 'deg ha peswar-ugens'. For example, 60 'tri-ugens' is three times twenty, and 70 'deg ha tri-ugens' adds ten to 60.
Compound numbers from twenty-one to thirty-nine
Numbers like 28 are formed by combining the unit with 'warn ugens': 28 is 'eth warn ugens' (8 over 20), and 35 is 'pymthek warn ugens' (15 over 20). For example, 42 is 'dewdhek ha dew-ugens' (12 and 20), combining teen and ten.
Compound numbers from forty-one to ninety-nine
Numbers like 47 are formed by combining the unit or teen with 'ha' (and) and the ten: 47 is 'seytek ha dew-ugens' (7 and 20), and 91 is 'unnek ha peswar-ugens' (1 and 80). For example, 78 is 'seytek ha tri-ugens' (7 and 60).
Hundreds
Hundreds are formed by placing the multiplier digit before 'kans': 100 is 'kans', 200 is 'daou kans', 300 is 'tri kans', and 900 is 'naw kans'. For example, 600 is 'hwegh kans'.
Thousands
Thousands are formed by the multiplier digit before 'mil' or 'vil': 1,000 is 'mil', 2,000 is 'diw vil', 3,000 is 'tri mil', and 9,000 is 'naw mil'. For example, 4,000 is 'peswar mil'.
Large numbers
Large numbers like million, billion, and trillion are formed with specific words: one million is 'milvil', one billion is 'unn bilyon', and one trillion is 'unn trilyon'. These are borrowed terms reflecting modern numerical concepts.
Unique features
The vigesimal system makes counting in Cornish distinct, especially with words like 'deg warn ugens' for 30 and 'peswar-ugens' for 40, based on twenty.
Unlike most European languages that are decimal, Cornish combines units and tens using 'warn' (over) and 'ha' (and), e.g., 35 is 'pymthek warn ugens'.
Numbers 6-9 are formed by adding to 5: 6 is 'hwegh', 7 is 'seyth', 8 is 'eth', and 9 is 'naw', showing a unique additive pattern.
Large numbers like billion and trillion are borrowed terms, reflecting modern adaptations, e.g., 'unn bilyon' and 'unn trilyon'.
The language retains traditional words for numbers, but also incorporates modern terms for large quantities, demonstrating both linguistic heritage and adaptation.
Cultural context
Cornish is spoken mainly in Cornwall, UK, where it has experienced a revival since the early 20th century. The language is part of cultural identity, with numbers appearing in traditional festivals, signage, and educational efforts. Although mostly a second language, it symbolizes regional pride. The number 13, often considered unlucky, is 'tredhek', and the number 7, 'seyth', is sometimes associated with good luck in local traditions. The use of large numbers like 'mil' (thousand) and 'milvil' (million) reflects modern economic and technological influences, blending ancient counting with contemporary needs. The language’s unique vigesimal system highlights Cornwall’s Celtic heritage and historical trade practices.
Fun facts
Fact 1: The number 16 is 'hwetek', which directly reflects the pattern of adding 'ek' to the unit, a distinctive feature of Cornish numbers.
Fact 2: Unlike English, which is decimal, Cornish’s vigesimal system resembles the counting systems of the Basque or Mayan languages.
Fact 3: The formation of 35 as 'pymthek warn ugens' (15 over 20) exemplifies how the language combines teen and tens in a compound form.
Fact 4: Historically, the word 'kans' for hundred is rooted in ancient Celtic numerals, showing continuity in regional language development.
Fact 5: The large number 'milvil' for million demonstrates how Cornish adapts modern numerical concepts with traditional roots.
Frequently asked questions
How do you count to 10 in Cornish?
1 - onan, 2 - dew, 3 - tri, 4 - peswar, 5 - pymp, 6 - hwegh, 7 - seyth, 8 - eth, 9 - naw, 10 - deg.
What number base does Cornish use?
Cornish uses a vigesimal (base-20) system, evidenced by words like 'ugens' for 20, 'deg warn ugens' for 30, and 'peswar-ugens' for 40, showing multiplication and addition based on twenty.
How do you say 42 in Cornish?
42 is 'dewdhek ha dew-ugens' (12 and 20). First, 12 is 'dewdhek' (dwed + deg), then add 'ha' (and) plus 20 'ugens'.
How do you say 100 in Cornish?
100 is 'kans'. For larger hundreds, like 300, it's 'tri kans'.
How many people speak Cornish?
Approximately 560 second-language speakers as of 2011, mainly in Cornwall, UK.
Is Cornish related to other languages?
Yes, it belongs to the Brittonic branch of Celtic languages within the Indo-European family, related to Welsh and Breton.
What makes Cornish counting unique?
Its vigesimal system, combining units and twenties with specific words like 'warn' and 'ha', and the way teens and large numbers are formed, make it highly distinctive.