Guernésiais

Guernésiais is a Romance language that is spoken on the island of Guernsey. It is a member of the Oïl languages, which are a group of closely related Romance languages spoken in northern France and the Channel Islands. Guernésiais is closely related to other Norman languages such as Jèrriais, spoken on the island of Jersey.

The language has been spoken in Guernsey for over a thousand years, having developed from the Norman French spoken by settlers who arrived in the island in the 10th century. Historically, Guernésiais was the primary language of the island, but its use has declined significantly over the past century due to the influence of English.

Guernésiais is characterized by a number of features that distinguish it from other Oïl languages, including a unique phonology and vocabulary. It has also been influenced by the Norse and Brythonic languages spoken in the region before the arrival of the Normans.

In recent years, there have been efforts to revive and preserve Guernésiais. These efforts include language classes, cultural events, and the publication of literature and music in the language. Despite these efforts, Guernésiais remains an endangered language, with a small number of native speakers. It is a protected heritage language of the Bailiwick of Guernsey.