Les Fieillets Jèrriais
Juilet 2001
Salutâtions tout le monde! Tchi bieau temps au mais de Juîn. During last month's meeting we translated the three humorous Norman stories which only resulted in slight smiles of amusement! Discussion of the neologisms followed based on the replies from three correspondents and it was interesting to sec that Jèrriais and French already have many acceptable words and short phrases for the new English ones.
The secretary reports that about seventeen people went to Coutanches for the Fête des Rouaisouns on June 8 , 9, 10th. Four represented the section and recited our Eisteddfod poem, L' Achocre with due acknowledgement, while others went from the student classes, pupils from school classes as well, and L' Assembliée or the Congrès. The performances were excellent and we competed well with people from Guernsey and Normandy. It was wonderful to hear the three languages used in a variety of song, verse and prose. We took many books and pamphlets and sold several of each for Le Don Balleine, L'Assembliée and ourselves. The Education Section displayed many of its teaching resources and we were envied for the support and finance available in Jersey. In addition to the performances - run on Norman time! - there was dancing in the square and during the evening and there were discussion meetings about the progress in education, resources and finance in the three areas, and the next Fête in Jersey. Jersey was represented by the four groups in the Congrès. All in all our hosts provided a fine ambience with good food and wine and we all seemed to enjoy ourselves very much indeed.
Our next meeting will be on Wed. 4th. July at 8.00pm. in the Arthur Mourant Room at La Société. Please would you bring along, or send, more of your favourite poems, songs and stories to continue the compilation of our Anthology of Jèrriais Literature and we should also choose our Eisteddfod piece. We could also try translating something from early American independence considering the date!
A la Préchaine,
J. Le B. Nichols (Présidente)
Par Renée Jehan
Chutte belle p'tite île dé Guernési
Qui ma dounnaï naissànce
Enne île dé granis fort béni
Toute pres d'la caöute dé Frànce
La maïr qui lave la caöute tout l'tour
Souvent couleur d'azur
À maönte et d'vâle daöue caöup par jour
Le sablliaon fin et pur
Sa verdreure riche quànd l'soleil mire
Et glisse et chöigne su l's'herbes
Dans les vallaïes, et nous peut dire
Son bétaïl est superbes
Ses ptits courtil de tchique vergies
Entouraïs dé fossaïs
Des récoltes pas comme énne achie
Mais tous bian labouraïs
Les belles ptites rues dans la càmpôigne
Debouchent ichin et là
Les douits qui coulent dans les faöntôines
Murmurent et chàntent lala
Île dé granis dans la Mànche
Belle île dé Guernési
Nous n'voudrais pas autcheun échànge
Car chez nôte paradis