A new podcast will bring the Cornish language to wider audiences through weekly episodes on BBC Sounds.
BBC Radio 1’s Danni Diston, who is a Cornish presenter, will host Learn Cornish, a twelve-part series produced by BBC Radio Cornwall.
The podcast follows Danni as she explores the language, its cultural role, and learns key phrases with guidance from language expert Sarah Buck.
Guests will join the series to share their perspectives on Cornish culture and identity. These include BAFTA-winning director Mark Jenkin and actor and comedian Edward Rowe, known for the film Bait.
Contributors also include an engineer from Goonhilly Satellite Earth Station, which is working with NASA on the Artemis Voyage.
The podcast was commissioned to mark the Cornish language receiving top level government protection, placing it alongside Irish, Scottish Gaelic and Welsh.
It forms part of a broader BBC commitment to Cornish content, including weekly news bulletins in the language and educational material for children on BBC Bitesize.
Danni Diston said: “Having the opportunity to dive into the Cornish language, its history has been wonderful. Speaking to different people who hold Cornwall in their heart and hearing what Cornish culture is and feels to them was really special.”
The BBC has worked with Cornwall Council on the project, with support from its Cornish Language team to provide translation and expertise.
Sarah Buck said: “We would love to see people across Cornwall picking up a few words of Kernewek and weaving them into everyday life. Our language is for everyone, and it is something we can all be proud of.”
Steph Marshall, BBC Head of Content Production for the West and South West, said the project aims to reflect a renewed interest in the language and encourage wider use across communities.
Learn Cornish launches on BBC Sounds on 1 May, with new episodes released weekly.
