Guernsey Fieldtrip

19th March – 4th April 2009

Eiouque?Where?

• Variety of Norman French• In 2001 Census out of a population of 60000 only

1327 fluent speakers, 75% over the age of 64. • In a diglossic situation with English, and historically

with Standard French• Language has had very low prestige, being

associated with the country and lack of education• 2008 the States appointed a Language Officer to

coordinate revitalisation strategy.

Dgernezyei

Guernesiais

Who we are

• 1 lecturer – Dr. Julia Sallabank• 6 MA students • targeted at students on the

Language Documentation and Description course at SOAS

• Coordinated with the Guernsey Language Officer, Jan Marquis.

Ki?

• Document

• Create awareness

• Gain Fieldwork experience

Porchi?Why we were there

Documentation

• Interviewed and recorded 77 people• Usually in the home in groups of 2 or

3• Some other organized groups• Participants aged 70-99• Many volunteered while we were

there• Mostly concentrating on eliciting

natural conversation

Creating Awareness

• Improved status by our interest• Discussed and encouraged language use

with participants• Media coverage

• Local paper• BBC Guernsey news feature• Local commercial radio• BBC Guernsey radio

• Talked to officials• Sociolinguistic attitude surveys

Gaining fieldwork experience

• Used a variety of equipment• Experienced dealing with people• Part of the community• Different from both large scale fieldwork

and practical aspects of field methods course

• Very intensive - achieved a lot in 2 weeks• A chance to put theory in to practice in a

way that benefits the community.

What now?

• Volunteered to continue being involved

• Transcribing data• Giving feedback on project • Possibility of the opportunity being

available for future years.

• Charles Pigott• Catherine Jones• Tracey Carro Noya

•Questions?