Parts 1 to 10

This is your chance to learn Guernsey French.

Local language experts Harry and Hazel Tomlinson joined Kay Langlois on BBC Guernsey to discuss Guernsey French and bring the first in the series of saying to islanders.

If you want to try your hand at speaking Patois then this is the place to start either use the phonetic spelling below or listen and repeat via the link on the right.

The format for the sayings are as following:

Written in Patois
Phonetic spelling
In English

Banjour, comme tchi que l'affaire va?
(banzhoor, kom tcheek laffair va?)
Good-day/hello, how are you?

En amas bien, merci.
(en ama byõ, mair-see.)
Very well, thank you.

Pas trop mal, merci, et dauve vous?
(pa tro mal mair-see, eh dohv voo?)
Not too bad, thank you. And you?

Vites-ous le Praesse, méquerdi?
(veetoo le Prasse, mekerdi?)
Did you see the Press on Wednesday?

Oui, i dit, "Le Guernésiais est-i difficile à llierre
(wee, ee dee, "leh jer-nez-yeah eh-tee di-fi-seel a yeahr?")
Yes, it said, "Is Guernsey-French difficult to read?"

Pas si tu l'llies dans l' Praesse.
(pah si-tul yeh dorl Prasse.)
Not if you read the Press.

V'là qui vaout!
(vla kee vow!)
That's good/Well done!

À la perchoine.
(a la pairshoyn.)
Good-bye/'til the next time.