Parleremo • News Centre

Guernsey French beginners guide launched

BBC - December 29, 2011 - French

A new Guernsey French book aims to provide a simple introduction to the island's ancient language.

The author Dr Harry Tomlinson said it was based on materials used to give lessons to pupils at Forest School and the book was primarily for children.

The vocabulary covers objects such as fruit and vegetables, and simple conversations such as the weather and numbers.

Dr Tomlinson said all the words were written in English, Guernsey French and phonetics as it is a spoken language.

He said: "Nobody taught Guernsey French so people did not learn to read and write in Guernsey French, those people who wanted to read and write in the 19th Century would have learnt standard French.