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Language Vitality and Status

• Guernsey: Located in the English Channel, it has a self-governing status linked to Britain, with significant internal autonomy in domestic policy, including language policy.

• Indigenous Language: A variety of Channel Islands Norman, known as Giernesiei, is highly endangered.

  • Estimated 200 fluent speakers, mostly over 80 years old.

  • 2001 census reported 1,327 speakers, representing 2.22% of the population.

  • Decline in fluency and speaker numbers due to language attrition and demographics.

Historical Context

• Early Middle Ages: Norman was an international language; the Channel Islands were part of the Duchy of Normandy.

• Decline of Norman: Result of geopolitical events such as language policies in France and the Napoleonic Wars.

• Cultural Resurgence: Late 19th century saw interest in local culture, with Giernesiei used creatively for the first time since the Middle Ages.

Impact of WWII

• Occupation: German occupation (1940-1945) led to evacuation; many Guernsey residents assimilated.

• Cultural Shift: Post-war societal changes discouraged the use of Giernesiei and caused further declines in fluency.

Language Ideologies

• Traditional vs Dynamic Views:

  • Static: Giernesiei linked to nostalgia and the preservation of the traditional language community (referred to as traditionalists).

  • Dynamic: Sees the language as a source of identity, promotes increased speaker numbers and usage.

• Language Ownership: Ideologies conflict about who owns the language, leading to tension between traditional speakers and new speakers trying to learn.

New Speakers' Experiences

• Definitions:

  • New Speakers: Individuals learning Giernesiei, facing challenges in acceptance by traditionalists.

  • Latent Speakers: Individuals rediscovering or actively trying to use the language after it was not passed down.

Challenges to Learning Giernesiei

• Limited Fluency: Few second-language learners attain proficiency; very few under 60 are conversationally proficient.

• Negative Reactions: Learners report discouragement from traditional speakers who often dismiss their attempts to speak the language.

• Desire for Modern Language: Learners express need for vocabulary related to contemporary life, contrasting with traditional cultural references.

Motivations for Learning

• Cultural Connection: Many learners aim to connect with Guernsey's heritage and local identity, despite the language's dying status.

• Criticism and Support: There are calls for more inclusive and effective language learning environments that address modern needs.

Social and Educational Insights

• Educational Gaps: Extracurricular lessons often conducted by semi-speakers lack effectiveness in teaching Giernesiei meaningfully.

• Youth Engagement: The dominance of traditionalist ideology is an obstacle to attracting younger speakers.

Language Revitalization Efforts

• Community Initiatives: New approaches like the Language Commission and community-based events aim to encourage interactions among speakers.

• Recognition of Need for Change: Emphasizes that revitalization requires a change in ideology and commitment to active use from both traditional and new speakers.