La Section de la langue Jèrriaise

Jèrriais words used in English

 

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.

 

bannelais

Note use of Jèrriais word "bannelais" in this 2002 advert otherwise entirely in English

 

 

Vraic

Note use of word "vraic" in this sign at La Rocque

 

 

Blue côtil

A house name half English, half Jèrriais

 

 

Viyiz étout:

 

 

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