Revival efforts need States cash

MOVES to revive Guernsey-French need to be given States cash. Deputy Jonathan Le Tocq believes the Norman language is crucial to the island's identity and he has been working on a commission to promote its use.

Both he and La Coumissiaon Guernesiaise believe the States should do more to support teaching of the language in schools, make it accessible to a wider audience and promote it across government and public administration.

'It would encourage a new generation not to lose this unique part of our heritage,' he said.

'There's no reason why we can't do this. It's important because otherwise Guernsey will just become a little rock that might as well be in the middle of England.'

If necessary Deputy Le Tocq, whose first language was Guernsey-French, is prepared to take to the House a requete to obtain States funding.

'Languages give you identity but also confidence. Even with minority languages, the more you learn, the better you are able to communicate. If you pick up language, you pick up culture and you can get on better with people.'

He added that each member of the British-Irish Council had seen the potential advantages of their rich linguistic inheritance. Wales has begun sharing its expertise on promoting minority languages, with all members apart from Guernsey seizing the initiative.

'The Isle of Man lost its last native Manx speaker in the 1970s but they've revived it. It's part of their school curriculum and you see it written and promoted on government publications. It's something that promotes their uniqueness and they've done it from scratch.

'In Guernsey, we've still got a good bunch of people who still speak it. There's a head start and we can use some of the methods that Jersey has used.'

For this to happen, the commission would need to be funded.

With one or two employees, Deputy Le Tocq ' a member of Treasury and Resources ' said it would need about '50,000 of taxpayers' money and another '50,000 through charitable sources.

'It wouldn't take a lot to get off the ground. It's not very costly but it does take political will. I know finances are tight but I see that by the end of the year, this could be ready to be up and going.'

La Coumissiaon is made up of L'Assembllaie d'Guernesiais, Les Ravigotteurs, La Societe Guernesiaise and La Guaine du Vouest. Expanding this initiative could prove worthwhile given the success of the teaching of Guernsey-French in island schools since the beginning of last year.

A Guernsey Press initiative, which begins in page 20 today, will also give islanders, many of whom may never have spoken the language, the chance to learn small phrases in Guernsey-French. The pronunciations are given and there will be an accompanying picture.

'Hopefully anyone will be able to pick up a few words.'

People of all ages will be able to learn parts of the language. Deputy Le Tocq said this was particularly important given that it was spoken mainly by older generations and sometimes with less pride than before.

'There's been a sense in which my parents' generation felt that it wasn't good and it wouldn't get you far in the world. The sooner you learned French and English, the better. This very much underestimates the value of the language.'

*'The spelling of Guernsey-French words in this article are those agreed by La Coumissiaon Guernesiaise and may differ from any of the three versions spoken in Guernsey.