Some Jèrriais words are used in conversation by English speakers who do not speak Jèrriais. Typically they represent local realia or customs. Here are some examples:
|
diton |
proverb |
|
bannelais |
organic road sweepings used for compost |
|
branchage (pronounced "brancage") |
hedge-trimming and official inspection |
|
chouques |
logs |
|
côtil |
steep hillside field |
|
vraic |
seaweed (used for fertiliser) |
|
cliaque |
seaweed (slimier) |
|
bachîn |
large metal bowl |
|
temps pâssé |
time past |
An interesting anecdote (recounted in 2000) told how agricultural advisers brought to Jersey from the UK were occasionally bemused when they discovered that even young farmers often did not know the English names of weeds, but used the Jèrriais names to talk about them.
Note use of Jèrriais word "bannelais" in this 2002 advert otherwise entirely in English
Note use of word "vraic" in this sign at La Rocque
A house name half English, half Jèrriais
Viyiz étout: