A handy pocket-sized book is inspiring people (and dogs) to learn simple Jèrriais phrases thanks to author and illustrator Anne Cakebread.
‘Teach Your Dog Jèrriais’ is part of a series designed to help you to start learning a language while having fun with your favourite pet. It includes 60 expressions to practise from useful dog-related commands such as ‘Assied-té!’ (Sit)! and ‘Va qu’si!’ (Fetch!) to general phrases such as ‘Bouônjour à matîn’ (Good morning) and ‘Bouan Noué!’ (Merry Christmas!).
Anne was prompted to write her first bestselling book of the series ‘Teach Your Dog Welsh’, which has sold almost 23,000 copies, after she moved to rural north Wales and bought a collie dog from a local Welsh-speaking farmer.
Her language skills were put to the test when she discovered her dog did not understand a word of English and she had to learn basic Welsh phrases to ensure a modicum of normality.
Bestselling crime author and Jersey resident Peter James said: ‘It’s just marvellous for all the wonderful dogs on our Island to have a book they can read in their native language!’
And Jèrriais teacher, Susan Parker, said: ‘I’m thrilled that Anne approached me about creating this book. It’s a fresh, accessible new publication and an important addition to the toolkit to revitalise our native language.’
Teach Your Dog Jèrriais can be bought for £5.99 from La Société Jersiaise shop, Jersey Museum, Hamptonne, La Hougue Bie, Maritime Museum, Jersey Archive and online at jerriais.sumupstore.com. An audio pronunciation guide is available at www.learnjerriais.org.je. For enquiries, please contact Susan Parker at s.parker@jeron.je
