Jersey's traditional language - Jèrriais
What is Jèrriais?
Jèrriais is the traditional language of Jersey, which is closely related to French:
- it used to be Jersey's first language but the number of speakers has dwindled over the years as English has taken over -the Jèrriais language is now endangered
- it was very important to people who lived in Jersey during the occupation, as they could say things they didn’t want the Germans to understand
- it is an important part of Jersey's heritage - just like lé vièr châté (Gorey castle) or les vacques Jèrriaises (Jersey cows)
Is it widely spoken?
According to the 2001 census there were 2,874 people who spoke Jèrriais (this is around 3% of the population; although around 15% have some understanding of the language). There about 200 children learning Jèrriais in Jersey schools.
Learning Jèrriais
In 1999 the States of Jersey supported Le Don Balleine, a trust set up for the promotion of Jersey’s language, to introduce a programme for Jèrriais to be offered in all primary schools. 2 years later lessons began in secondary schools for children wishing to continue learning Jèrriais.
Why learn it?
It is important that Jèrriais remains a living language. By teaching Jèrriais to children we can ensure its future. There are very few parents able to teach their children the language, so it is important that it is taught at school. Throughout Europe it is common to teach and learn through lesser-used languages.
Where is Jèrriais taught?
Jèrriais lessons in primary schools start in year 4; however, because of a shortage of qualified teachers it is not possible to provide lessons in every year at all primary schools. In secondary schools, children will be able to study to the TGJ, the Jèrriais equivalent of GCSE. Adults can learn Jèrriais through Highlands College evening classes.
What are the benefits of teaching children Jèrriais?
- it helps children’s intellectual development, mental agility and alertness
- it makes it easier for them to learn other languages when they are older
- it helps them understand their cultural identity as Jersey citizens
- it helps children respect people who speak different languages
- it introduces them to a rich tradition of prose, poetry and music
The history of the Jèrriais language
How has the language evolved?
On 19 May 1864 from his home in exile at Hauteville House in Guernsey, Victor Hugo wrote a letter to the Jersey poet and historian John Sullivan in which he described Jèrriais as "cette précieuse langue locale" - "this precious local language".
142 years later, Jèrriais remains, as Victor Hugo wrote, "precious" and "local" and a "language". It is a “language” that has evolved from Latin, received a Nordic spin from the Norsemen who founded the Duchy of Normandy, and developed into a unique linguistic expression of a community.
Why is it described as precious?
Jèrriais is “precious” because it is unique to Jersey . Although related to Guernesiais and mainland Norman , Jèrriais, its literature and the knowledge it conveys are found nowhere else. Jèrriais is precious because it is a treasury of information about the past as well as a symbol of Jersey's independent identity in the present and something of value to pass on to the future.
Why is it described as local?
It is “local” because it has developed and evolved with the history and people of Jersey. As is traditionally said it is one of "les trais langues" - the 3 languages: English, French and Jèrriais. If English is the language of commerce that has come to dominate, and French the formerly dominant language of the Church and the Chapel, of the Court and of the States, then Jèrriais is the language in which the Island 's poetry, stories, scandals and beliefs have been written.
It is a language of satire and swearwords, lullabies and laughs, and so much history is written and recorded only in Jèrriais. We walk history when we walk along streets named in Jèrriais – such as Lé Coin ès Ânes (New Cut – the corner of the donkeys), La Plianque Billot ( Charing Cross / York St – Billot's plank, to cross the stream).
Across the Island , Jèrriais place names preserve history and geography in their very syllables – Lé Rotchi (Le Rocquier – the rocky place), Les Tchennevais (Les Quennevais – the hemp fields), La Mouaie (La Moye, - the pile of stones), Les Mielles (the sand dunes).
Want to find out more?
If you would like your child to have the chance to learn Jèrriais, please check with your school to find out when lessons take place, or contact L’Office du Jèrriais.
Thousands of items of old Jèrriais literature are now available on the internet.
Les Pages Jerriaises website