Sunday 11 May 2014

Patois used to 'Bamboozle' enemy

Channel Television rapporte:
Channel Islanders found a way to talk openly during the Occupation, even when the enemy were right there.

While in St Peter Port and St Helier patois might have needed a revival, out in the rural parishes, Guernesiais and Jerriais were spoken frequently.

It came as quite a surprise to the occupying soldiers, who know nothing of the language before setting foot in the islands.

Tony Scott-Warren, L'Office du Jèrriais said: “It was a great way to bamboozle the Germans. They didn't understand it, there were the odd exception that we're aware of, but Jerriais and Guernesiais were used in order to say things that they didn't want the Germans to understand.”

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