The Guernsey Language Commission has been working to rejuvenate Guernesiais with significant projects over the past few months.
It is funding the launch of an interactive learning programme for children to bring the traditional language back to the playground. It has also worked with the Town Church rector, the Rev. Penny Graysmith, to develop a QR-coded Guernesiais Trail, and the Visitor Information Centre needed a restock of the leaflets it offered as a trial this month.
Joy Liggett from the commission said that several more projects were set to launch locally over the next few weeks.
‘There’s been a lot of interest from tourists, especially those from France,’ she said.
‘We’re delighted that the language is being taken up in so many innovative ways.’
Local Guernesiais teacher and translator Yan Marquis is heavily involved in promoting the language. He said that progression in Guernesiais for beginners was not straightforward due to a lack of learner materials, and few opportunities to practise.
‘Over the past two decades of teaching Guernesiais, I’ve seen waves of enthusiasm come and go, but overall, interest from learners has remained steady,’ he said.
‘However, I’ve noticed changes in where some of this interest is coming from, such as people who are involved in the creative arts and poetry writing. Also, while requests for translations are frequent, what is new are requests from “official” institutions.
‘Jersey has invested considerable amounts of money in promoting Jerriais and developing teaching resources, which has helped revitalisation efforts there enormously. The Guernsey budget for Guernesiais is lower – however, the Guernsey Language Commission decided early on to prioritise the development of teaching resources.’
He said he has begun drafting a Guernesiais course with Dr Julia Sallabank, and its beginner stages will be trialled at a taster workshop on Saturday morning [1 November] between 10.30 and 12.30 at the Styx Centre in St Peter’s.
‘A Guernsey without its language is inconceivable,’ said Mr Marquis.
‘People have begun to see the value of our heritage language, not only for its cultural wealth, but for its intellectual qualities too.
‘An effective way of keeping it alive is to have a go at learning to speak it.’
Anyone interested in Guernesiais lessons or finding out more about the upcoming Free Language Taster Workshop can email Mr Marquis on janmarquis@suremail.gg.
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