‘An Rin Kernewek ha Hwedhlow Erel’
By Agatha Christie, translated by Roger Henley
Kowethas an Yeth Kernewek are pleased to announce the publication of a new translation of six short stories by the famous crime novelist, Agatha Christie.
The six short stories all share a connection to Cornwall, though a little tenuous in some of the stories. The stories include: An Rin Kernewek (The Cornish Mystery); An Gowethes (The Companion); An Hond a Ankow (The Hound of Death); An Kons Gosek (The Blood-Stained Pavement); Kas an Venyn Rych (The Case of the Rich Woman); Yngotys a Owr (Ingots of Gold).
These are the first translations of Agatha Christie stories in Kernewek, the Cornish language.
“We are so proud of publishing these stories for the first time in Kernewek,” said Lianne Wilson, chair of the publishing branch of Kowethas an Yeth Kernewek. “It’s no secret that areas of Devon and Cornwall are important in Agatha Christie’s writing, and finally the time has come for some of her work to be available in Kernewek.”
Originally from Torquay in Devon, Agatha Christie is considered the queen of crime writing, having written 75 books throughout her lifetime. Cornwall has been the inspiration for many locales and events in many of her works, including the title story of this collection ‘An Rin Kernewek’ (The Cornish Mystery).
Originally published in 1923, ‘The Cornish Mystery’ is one of the earliest cases for the famous, fictional detective from Belgium, Hercule Poirot. In this story, Monsieur Poirot is asked to investigate a case of poisoning in a small Cornish town named Polgarwith.
Roger Henley is a Bard of the Cornish Gorsedh and language teacher with KDL. His short stories and biographies have won many awards in the Gorsedh competitions in previous years.
It is hoped that these Agatha Christie stories in Cornish will prove interesting to students as well as crime fiction fanatics, but it’s certain that they will appeal to all types of Cornish language readers. The translation is written in the Standard Written Form and is suitable for third grade students and above.
‘An Rin Kernewek’ is available in our online shop as well as at Kowsva in Heartlands.