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Looking at recently released statistics on comparable languages, the Guernsey Language Commission says it is optimistic the island can save its native language but that it will be difficult as efforts are "starting from a very low base".
The Provision for Indigenous Minority Languages in the BIPA Jurisdictions report was produced for the British Irish Parliamentary Association, of which Guernsey is a member through the British Irish Council.
The report, which can be read in full HERE, provides statistics on the number of fluent speakers and those who have an understanding of languages including Welsh, Manx, Scots, Jerriais, Irish and others.
Above: The Provision for Indigenous Minority Languages in the BIPA Jurisdictions report can be read in full HERE.
The report gives a figure of 1,327 fluent speakers of Guernesiais, which a spokesperson for the Guernsey Language Commission acknowledged is out of date.
"Regarding speaker numbers, you are correct that the 3% figure came from the 2001 census. The census provides the last statistics we have for Guernesiais speakers," they said.
With fluent speakers often known to each other, their passing is noted by those committed to saving the language so the decline in native or fluent speakers is tracked. It is considered to be smaller than the official figure given above, with possibly as few as 100 fluent speakers still alive. The Commission says those who are fluent speakers are all elderly.
The 3% stat given for people who say they have an understanding of Guernesiais may be more reliable with more people knowing a few words or phrases than those able to speak it fluently.
By comparison, in Jersey 13% of people are recorded as understanding their native language, with almost 18% of Welsh people saying they understand their language.
In Ireland, 18% of people in Eire have an understanding of their language, dropping to 12.4% of people in Northern Ireland. 24% of Scottish people say they understand Scots.
In the Isle of Man - which attempted to revive its language after it was considered extinct a few years ago - 2.4% of people say they are able to speak Manx.
Pictured: The number of known speakers of Guernesiais and Manx is broadly similar.
While the local statistics present a picture of a dying language, efforts continue apace to try and save Guernesiais with £300,000 committed to the campaign over a decade.
The Commission is using that money to recruit a team to work on saving the language by teaching it in schools, and to community groups. They said the idea of learning the language remains popular so they have to act on it.
"Guernesiais is a critically endangered language; it is likely that there are currently (as of May 2023) fewer than 100 speakers and most of these are quite elderly. However, the GLC is positive about the future," the spokesperson said.
"The Committee for Education, Sport & Culture signed off the Language Plan at the end of 2022 and the GLC is currently in the process of appointing commissioners to get to work on delivering it. The Guernesiais translation service is busy and receives regular enquires. There are about 20 people learning the language through lessons and an estimated 15 more learning informally - perhaps over coffee with friends or during regular walks."
The Commission said that being involved in the BIC Indigenous Minority Languages workstream allows the team to have regular contact with those representing other languages which in turns allows them to work alongside and learn from other jurisdictions.
The spokesperson said: "The Guernsey Language Commission is optimistic that it can make a difference to the language but it has to be recognised that it is starting from a very low base."
Pictured: Guernsey French speakers involved with the Voice-Vouaïe project were also celebrated through a special set of stamps.
As well as trying to promote learning the language, the Commission works on preserving records of the language being spoken and those who have spoken it.
In 2020, 105 people who spoke Guernsey French took part in a social history and language project called Voice-Vouaïe. The project was a partnership between Guernsey Museums and photographer Aaron Yeandle, and in association with Yan Marquis.
The criteria for someone taking part was that they grew up in an environment where Guernesiais was spoken. Some participants still spoke the language daily, others hardly at all and others were rediscovering - or 'remembering' - it.
There remains a wealth of information from that project - and others - which have saved the language for future generations.
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