Jersey language of Jerriais 'not dead, despite claims'

The Jersey-French language of Jerriais is not dead, despite a study saying it was in serious danger of disappearing, a carol service organiser says.

The recent Cambridge University study warned the language was in serious danger of dying out completely.

Winston le Brun, who is organising the L'Assembliee d'Jerriais concert, said the language was alive and well.

But he said speakers needed more chances to practice using to ensure it survived.

He said: "It's certainly not going to be spoken as it was 50 years ago.

"When you went to farm sales then, everyone spoke it then.

"But if people are encouraged to speak it, it will stay alive."

Mr le Brun said members of his family who had moved to the island from England wanted to learn it.

According to the 2001 census, there were 2,874 people who spoke Jerriais, about 3% of the population, but about 15% have some understanding of the language.

L'Assembliee d'Jerriais was formed in 1951 to hold meetings and publish items in Jerriais.