Can music save a language from extinction?

January 1th, 2020

Jèrriais Logo
Back

Can music save a language from extinction?

Office du Jerriaissongs, vidgo

“My friend Kit Ashton is currently writing his PhD thesis in ethnomusicology. He comes from the channel island of Jersey, where the local language – Jèrriais – is on the verge of extinction. In his PhD he studies the effect music has on revitalising the language, including singing with his own band: Badlabecques! In this video I spend a few days with Kit, learn about Jèrriais and the Nazi occupation of the channel islands, enjoy some local cuisine, and travel to a festival to see Kit perform!”