Free translation service

A free translation service is available from the Guernsey Language Commission thanks to our supporter, Martin & Martin Designer Goldsmiths. Check out their 'Patois' range of jewellery here www.patoisjewellery.com The free service covers most requests. However, if a translation is deemed too long or complex to translate within an allocated time we may refer you to an independent translator and there would be a charge. Each translation is judged individually. If you have something you would like translated, please download the form (at the bottom of this page) and email it to info@language.gg. If you have any problems - or would prefer to speak to someone - please give us a ring on 01481 226518. Since its launch in 2013, we have arranged for the translation of hundreds of phrases and expressions for a wide variety of purposes including wedding vows, tattoos, greeting cards and headstones. We can also provide guidance on pronunciation. Here are some of the translations (to search this list for particular word, hold down Ctrl and F):
Contents: · Everyday phrases · Food & drink · Speech making · Family & loved ones · Self expression · Guernsey way of life · Special occasions · Names for projects / groups / organisations · House names · Star signs · Other · Longer pieces of prose Disclaimer While the translator strives to achieve the highest possible accuracy when preparing translations, at times there is no exact word or expression in the target language, so an equivalent word or expression might be used. Furthermore, Guernésiais has no universally agreed spelling or grammar, so the translator strives to reflect usage when preparing translations. No liability is assumed by the translator for any losses caused by reliance on the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of translated information. | |||
English | Guernésiais | Phonetic guide, if requested | Sound clip, if requested |
Good day / Hello | Baonjour | Ban(g)-shzoor |
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Hi | Warro |
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Long time no see / haven't seen you in ages | There are a few alternatives, depending on who you are talking to: 1. Y a énne achie qu'j't'ai pas vaeu (you = familiar, singular and masc.) 2. Y a énne achie qu'j't'ai pas vaeusse (you = familiar, singular and fem.) 3. Y a énne achie qu' j'vous ai pas vaeu (you = formal or plural, and masc.) 4. Y a énne achie qu'j'vous ai pas vaeusse (you = formal or plural, and fem.) |
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Goodbye | À la perchoïne |
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See you soon | À bétao |
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(I'll) see you at lunchtime
| J'té verrai a méjeu (or simply 'a méjeu') |
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See you this afternoon | J'té verrai cht arleuvaïe (or simply 'a cht arleuvaïe') |
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See you tomorrow | J'té verrai dmoïn (or simply 'a dmoïn') |
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Thank you very much | Merci bian des feis |
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'Not at all, quite ok!' | L'affaire est bian! |
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All the best | Es aotes jours (to the next days) |
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Good luck! | Bouanne Chànce! |
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We are thinking of you (plural/single) | Nou pense à vous/té |
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We are thinking of.... (a place, like Portelet) | Nou pense à-n-énne taque (a physical place) |
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Congratulations | Felicitâtiaons |
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What's the news today? | Tchi qu'y a d'nouvé ogniet? |
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Let's go! | Faot allaï! |
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Go for it! | Véyaon! / Couorâge! |
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Good night | Bouanne Niet/Niat |
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sweet dreams | biaus saonges |
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yummy! | goûtaeu! |
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enjoy your meal | bouan appétit |
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tasty! | bouan r'lais! |
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eat up | maugeaïz (pl) mauge (sing.) |
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dinner time | soupaï |
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breakfast time | déjunaï |
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lunchtime | dênaï |
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Time to go | Il est tems pour s'n allaï!/Faot allaï! |
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Put your ...... shoes/hat/clothes..... on | Mets tes sôlers/ton chapé/tes hardes |
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Pass me the... milk/biscuits please | Passe mé lé lette/lait / les galaettes si t'pllaît |
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Where is.... Your hat / shoes / mummy ? | Eyouk'est ton chapé / Eyouk'i saont tes sôlers? / Eyouk est ta mémaen? |
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Hurry up! | Avaenche té! |
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Shake your parsnip! (ie. hurry up) | Rémouque ta pauneis (when addressing one person only, very informal) |
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Stop! | Arraête! |
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Look | r'garde! |
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Listen | Écoute! |
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Go | Va! / Faot allaï! |
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How old are you? | Quaï âge ké t'as? |
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Don't put that in your mouth! | Mets pas chenna dans la/ta bouche! |
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Good boy / girl! | Bouan ptit mousse/garcaon / Bouanne Ptite Fille! |
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Well done! | Bian fait / Maunifik!
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What time is it? | Quaïe haeure qu'il est? | Kye a-eer k'eel eee? |
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Cup of tea | Coupaïe d'Tée |
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Mackerel | Macré |
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Conger eel | Àndgule or Caongre |
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Spider crab | Aen Huvlin, Haelin, Heulin, Paencllô |
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Crab | Énne Crabbe |
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Crayfish | Énne Crabbe à co
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Chancre | Chàncre |
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Lobster | Houmard |
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Ormer | Ormé |
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Gâche | Gâche |
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Tomato | Toumate |
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Bean jar | Moussaettes au Four |
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Cider | Cide |
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Scallops | Vauniaous |
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Shrimps | Chervaettes |
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Thank you for listening to me (giving me your attention) | (not requested) | MERRsee bee-aw poor m'ahveh eccout-eye |
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Our Father who is in Heaven, bless us, we pray, bless this food and those that prepared it, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen | Note Père qu'est au Ciel, bénis naon, nou t'prie, bénis chutte mogerie et les siauns qui l'aont préparaï, au naom dé Jésu-Christe, Amen. | Naut pehrr k'eee o s-yeehl, benee nan(g), nou-t pree, benee shutt maushzree eee leee s-yau kee l'an(g) prepahraye, o nan(g) deh Jehzu-Chreest, Ahmen |
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Good afternoon Ladies & Gentlemen. Welcome to our wedding reception | Baonjour Mesdaumes et Messus. Bianvu à nos neuches |
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One is nearer to God's heart in the garden than anywhere else | Nou z-est pus prés du tchoeur du Bouan Giu au gardin qu'autcheun aoute bord |
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'A fair wind and a following sea' | 'Du bouan vent et énne maraïe qui vou sié' | 'du bwaw vaw eh enn mahhr-rye kee voo s'yeh' |
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Father / dad | Père / Pépaen/Pop |
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Mother / mum | Mère / Mémaen (Mummy) |
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Sisters | Soeurs |
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Grandparents | Grànds-parents |
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My Grandmother | Ma Gràndmère OR Ma Grànmère |
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Grandpa | Grànpère |
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Daddy | Pépaen |
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Family | Faumile |
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Friendship | L'Omiti |
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To my darling daughter | À ma chière fille |
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Memory | Mémouère |
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Forever Yours | À té à jaumais (addressed informally to 1 person) | ahh teh ahh jh'awmay |
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Forever | À jaumais |
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For you
| Pour té (addressed informally to 1 person) |
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My beautiful grand daughter | Ma belle p'tite fille or... Ma belle grànd fille |
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I Love you | J't'oïme |
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Love of my Heart | Amour d'mon tchoeur |
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To my little darling | À ma p'tite souée |
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'You're just my cup of tea' | A literal translation (it would be understood) would be: 'T'es justément ma coupaïe d'tée' OR 'T'es la coupaïe d'tée qu'i m'faot'
But to express the same thing as 'you're just my cup of tea' could be:
'Tu m'fais bouannement charme'
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Follow your heart
| Sié ton tchoeur (when addressing one person informally, or someone younger than yourself)
Siévaï vote tchoeur (when addressing one person formally, and also when addressing more than one person) |
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Little gem | 'P'tite Souée' or 'P'tit Bijou' |
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Tell the girls I love them very much | 1. Dis és filles qué j'les oïme énn amas (said to a wife, sibling, friend or younger person (singular)) 2. Disaï és filles qué j'les oïme énn amas (said to a parent, someone you don't know so well or when there is more than one person (plural)) |
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For you will always be my little princess (For = because) | Tchaer tu sras terrou ma p'tite prinçaesse |
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I love my princess | 'J'oïme ma ptite prinçaesse' |
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Love Birds | Mouissaette et Mouissaon (from Georges Métivier) |
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Yes, I'll marry you | Ouai, j'té marierai |
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For my Wife | Pour ma Faume |
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For my Husband | Pour m'n Haome |
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From your Husband | Dé t'n Haome |
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From your Wife | Dé ta Faume
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From you to me | Dé té à mé |
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From me to you | Dé mé à té |
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Together | Ensemblle |
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Forever in my heart | À jaumais dans mon tchoeur |
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Always | Terrou |
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Together forever | Ensemblle à Jaumais | awsawb(yuh) ahh jh'awmay |
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Lovers | Amouraeux |
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Today and forever | Ogniet et à Jaumais |
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Happy ever after | Fiaer en auprés et à jaumais |
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I will always love you | J't'oïmerai terrou (sing.) J'vous oïmerai terrou (plural) |
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Always you | Terrou té (singular, informal) Terrou vous (plural / formal) |
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You are my sunshine | T'es mon solil (sing.) J'vous êtes mon solil (plural) |
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I'll love you forever | J't'oïmerai à jaumais (sing.) J'vous oïmerai à jaumais (plural) |
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I love you more | J't'oïme pus (singular) |
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To hug/embrace/cuddle | Codlaïr or Dodlinaïr or Embrachier |
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However far apart, always together | Quànd maeme aen bouan but à part, terrous ensemblle |
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One perfect year | énne parfaete onnaïe |
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Together always | Together always- Ensemblle terrous
Always Together- Terrous ensemblle (this sounds more idiomatically sound ...) |
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Key to my heart | Cllaïe à mon tchoeur |
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My missing piece | La piaeche qui mànque |
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Heartbeat | Battement d'tchoeur |
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My girl | Ma garce/fille (Ma Daernaette is more like 'My girlfriend') |
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You'll always be my girl
| Tu sras terrou ma fille Or Tu sras terrou ma garce (a young girl) |
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Circle of love | Raondache d'amour |
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Always and Forever | Terrou et à Jaumais |
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Unity | Ieunitaï |
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Together | Ensemblle |
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Heaven | Ciel |
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Milestones | Bornes
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First steps | Prumier pas |
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Love Supreme | Lé Millaeu Amour (The best love) / Lé pus Grànd Amour |
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I love you both to the moon and back | Not easy to translate but an equivalent idiom is, 'J'passerais l'faeu pour vos daeus' (I would go through the fire for you) |
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I love you to the moon and back | J'passerais l'faeu pour té (singular) J'passerais l'faeu pour vous (plural) |
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Beware of the donkey | Méfi-ous à l'âne |
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Be free
| Sé libre (informal singular) Séyi libre (formal singular, and only plural form) |
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Making Waves (to make waves) | Houlindger |
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Halo | Cherne |
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Journey | Viâge |
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Bubbly (as in, a bubbly personality)
| Vive / Plloïne d'vie (fem.) Or Vif / Plloïn d'vie (masc.) |
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Wild at heart | Sauvâge au tchoeur |
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Just breathe | Iocque respiraï/respire |
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'One like none other' or 'One in a million' | Yeune pas coume les aotes |
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Why worry | N'té brouille pas |
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Living the dream | Vivre lé Saonge |
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Blood makes you related. Loyalty makes you family. | There are several different versions, depending on who you are referring to.
Lé sàng vous fait parent (a relative) La louoyautaïe vous fait faumille
Lé sàng vous fait parents (relatives) La louoyautaïe vous fait faumille
Lé sàng vous fait parentaï (kin) La louoyautaïe vous fait faumille
Sàng vous fait parent (a relative) Louoyautaïe vous fait faumille
Sàng vous fait parents (relatives) Louoyautaïe vous fait faumille
Sàng vous fait parentaï (kin) Louoyautaïe vous fait faumille
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Always be true to yourself | Sounds better in Guernsey French as 'Always be yourself' which is 'Séyiz terrous vous-maeme' (plural) or 'Séyiz terrous té-maeme' (sing) |
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What is meant to be, will always find a way | Chu qu'est supposaï ête, trouv'ra terrous aen mouoyen |
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We need every voice to be heard. Register to vote. I am | Nou z-a besouoïn d'oui toutes les vouaïx. Faot s'enr'gistraï. J'lé fais mé! |
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I want to be part of what is special about Guernsey. Register to vote. I am. | I m'pllairais d'ête énne partie dé chu qu'est spéciâl atour Guernési. Faot s'enr'gistraï. J'lé fais mé! |
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Believe, achieve | Créyaïz, ach'vaïz' |
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Start by doing what is necessary; then do what's possible; and then suddenly you are doing the impossible | C'menchaïz par faire chu qu'est necessaire, et pis faisaïz chu qu'est possiblle; et pis tout d'aen caoup vous aetes à faire l'impossiblle | Cmaushai par ferr shu k'ei necesserr; é pi fezai shu k'ei paussiblle; é pi tou d'ao cao vou aet a ferr l'impaussiblle |
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I can't change the direction of the wind but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination | J'peux pas chàngier la directiaon du vent, mais j'peux trimaïr mes veiles qué j'gogne terrous ma destinâtiaon. | J'peu paa shaejié la directiaon du vau, mei j'peu trimai mei veil ké j'gaun terrou/pour terrou gaunié ma destinaaciaon |
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Nothing is impossible, the word itself says, "I'm possible." | Pas rian n'est impossiblle, lé mot li-maeme dit, "Sis possiblle." | Paa riau n'ei impaussiblle, lé mau li-maeme di, "Si paussiblle." |
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Believe you can and you're already half way there | Créyaïz qué vous pouvaïz et vous aetes déjà mié-ch'min. | Creyai ké vou pouvai ei vouz aet déja mié shmin |
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Change your thoughts and you change your world. | Chàngeaïz vos pensaïes et vous chàngaeaïz vote maonde | Shaejai vo paussai ei vou shaejai vaut maond |
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We can't help everyone, but everyone can help someone. | Nou n'peut pas aïdger toute la paeque, mais toute la paeque peut aïdger tchiqu'eun. | Nou peu paa aigié tout la peik, mei tout la peik peu aigié chikeu |
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There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it. | Y a daeux monières d'étende du jeur: aete la chàndele ou lé miraeux qui l'mire. | Ya daei maunierr d'ettaud du jeur: aet la chaedeil ou lé miraei ki-l mirr |
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Knowledge is learning from the past to make a better future. | Savé est d'apprende du tems passaï à seule fin d'faire aen millaeu tems-à-vni. |
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Fortune favours the brave | Lé bouneur favorise les tchérus (the translator points out that there isn't a word for brave as such, tchéru is used to describe someone who is hearty, spirited, has get-up-and-go) |
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Laughter is the best medicine | La rirerie est la millaeure medeçaene
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Live a little
| A literal translation would be:
Vis aen ptit.
A couple of more idiomatic examples are:
Réjouis té d'la vie (enjoy life)
Aie du ji dans la vie (have fun in life) |
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I love life OR I love life at this moment | J'oïme la vie OR J'oïme la vie à chu moment-chin |
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Live your life today, yesterday is gone and tomorrow may never come | Vis ta vie ogniet, hiaer est parti et d'moïn n'vianra p'tête pas jaumais. OR Vis ta vie ogniet, hiaer est parti et p'tête qué d'moïn jaumais n'vianra. |
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When you go home tell them of us and say, for your tomorrow we gave our today | A mais qu'vous s'ramassaï pour la maisaon, disaï laeu atouor naon et dire, pour vote d'moïn nou bailli notr'oniet |
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Courage, love, hope, serendipity | Couorâge, amour, espérànce, écànche |
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Wanderlust | Envie d'trâlaï (desire to wander) |
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I suffered,I learned,I changed | J'souffris, j'apprins, j'chàngis |
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There is only one corner of the universe you can be certain of improving, and that is your own self | Y a riocqu'aen couoïn dé l'univaers qué vous pouvaï aête saeur d'amendaï, et ch'est vous maême |
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The answer is in you | La répaonse est en vous |
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Self improvement | Amendement dé sé" |
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A swallow always returns home | L'Hiraondelle s'ramasse terrou pour la maisaon (always goes/returns home)
L'Hiraondelle s'en r'viant terrou à la maisaon (always comes back home)
L'Hiraondelle s'en r'va terrou à la maisaon (always goes back home) |
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There's no place like home
| Ya pa'autcheun bord coum ci sé |
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'Home Sweet Home' | There is no literal translation of this. Please see below some ideas/equivalents:
Nou z-est râdaï (one is/we are safely home (anchored))
Nou z-est bian rendu (one is/we are safely back (home))
Nou z-est bian ciz naon/sé (one is/we are well/comfortable at ones/our place (home))
Douoche Dmeure/Maisaon (Gentle/Sweet Dwelling/House(home)) |
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Imagine, Dream, Believe | Imageaene, Saonge, Cré (singular, informal ...)
Imaginaïz, Saongeaïz, Créyiz (plural, formal ... ) |
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May the force be with you ! | Qué la Forche sé daove vous!
| Keh lahh Forsh seh dowv voo
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All will be well | 'Tout sra bian' or 'L'affaire sra bian' (It'll be okay) ... |
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My sister, my love forever | Ma soeur, m'n amour à jaumais |
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Better Together | If you want to say something like 'We are (do) well apart, but we are Better together' then the translation is 'Mux ensemblle'
... and if you want to say something like 'We are good apart, but we are Better together' then the translation is 'Millaeux ensemblle' (man & woman) | mu awsawb(yuh) |
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Enter at your peril! | Entraï à vote risque' (when addressing more than one person, also when addressing one person in a formal context)
Entre à ta risque (one person, informal) |
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To look for Town via Torteval (ie. To go the long way round) | Trachier la ville par Tortéva |
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Going steadily you go far | En allànt douachement nou va lliaun |
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You go faster downhill than uphill (it's easier to go along with things??) | Nou va pus vite en ava qu'en amaont |
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On the way | Sus chmin faisànt |
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You must keep things the right way up! (in life) | Faout gardaï lé bouan en haout!
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To know you must ask | Pour saver i faout dmàndaï |
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Always look before you jump! | Faout terrou gardaï d'vànt sautaï! |
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When you cannot open the gate, you jump over it! | Quànd nou n'peut pas ouvri la haeche, nou saoute par dessus! |
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To go with the tide | Allaï daove la maïre |
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To find your way | Trouvaï ses maers |
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More haste, more delay (less speed) | Tànt pus d'preisse, tànt pus d'abus |
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A small parcel on a long journey begins to weigh heavily | Ptit patchet, laong chmin peusse
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I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul. | J'sis l'maîte dé ma destinaïe, j'sis l'captoïne dé m'n âme. |
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Summer in Guernsey | L'étaï en Giernesi or L'étaï en Guernesi |
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Sandcastles on Pembroke beach | Châtiaous d'sabllaon dans la banque à Pembroke |
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Shimping nets and rock pools | Havnets et maraettes d'iao és rotchés |
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This way to the beach | Par ichin pour la bànque |
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Fish and chips at Cobo | Païssaon et chips a Côbo |
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Splashing about in the dinghy | Barbottaï dans lé ptit bate |
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Footprints in the sand | Des pas dans l'sabllaon |
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Sun, sea and sand | Solil, maïr et sabllaon |
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Buckets and spades | BOUTCHETS ET BÊQUES |
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Rocquaine Regatta | Régates dé Rocquoïne |
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The West is best! | Lé Vouêt est l'Millaeu! |
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Moulin Huet | Moulin Hué |
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Saints | Soïnts |
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Vazon | Vazaon |
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Grand Havre | Grànd Havre |
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Sark | Saerk |
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Alderney | Aurni |
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Herm | Haerme |
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Seagulls | Maoues |
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Puffins | Barbélottes |
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Sunset at Grandes Rocques | Couochànt du solil es Grànds Rocques |
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Liberation Day | Lé Jour d'la Liberâtiaon |
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Classic car & bike show | Shao és motaos et baïces d'énne achie |
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Torteval scarecrows | Babouins d'Tortéva |
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West is Best | Lé Shaou qui Vaot (The show of value) chosen because it rhymes |
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The West Show at L'Eree | LÉ SHAO du VOUÊT À L'ERÉE |
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Rock to Rocque | Rocque à Rocque |
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Normandie markets | Marchis Normands |
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Sheep racing in Sark | Courses és berbis en Saerk |
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Real ale in Herm | Vraie bire en Haerme |
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Vale Earth Fair | Feire Vallaise d'la Terre |
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The North Show | Lé Shao du Nord |
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Battle of Flowers | Bataïle dé Flleurs |
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Alderney Week | La Smoïne Aurniaise |
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Harbour Carnival | Carnival à la Cauchie |
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Tennerfest | Festin à Dix Billes |
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Seafood Sundays | Démaunches à Païssaon et Crabin |
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Donkey Derby | Courses d'Ânes |
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Beanjar at the Viaer Marchi | Moussaettes au Four au Viaer Marchi |
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Guernsey Lily | La Giernesiaise or La Guernesiaise |
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Seaweed | Vraic |
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Daffodil | Pouorriaon |
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Cow | Vacque |
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A crabpot | Énne Bonâde |
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Limpet | Fllie |
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Winkle | Coquelin |
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Woollen hat | Bounné |
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A stuffed guy (on 5th November) | Budlo |
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Greenhouse | Spànne |
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Fairy Ring | Tâblle des Piaons |
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Cup and Saucer (Fort Grey) | Châté d'Rocquoïne |
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Millennium Stone | Rocque au Millenium |
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Castle Cornet | Châté Cornet |
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My Guernsey Bonnet | Ma bounnaette guernesiaise Ma scoupe guernesiaise (sunbonnet) |
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Wish you were here | J'voudrais bian qué tu seis ichin (sing) J'voudrais bian qué vous séyiz ichin (plural) |
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The West Has Talent | Lé Vouêt a du Talent Or possibly 'Y a du Talent au Vouêt' = 'There's Talent out/in the West' |
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Grand Pageant Tomato Growing in the 1950's | La Grànd Vêtchie La Creitrie d'Toumates dans l's Aunaïes 1950 |
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They were farmers | Ils 'taient fermiers |
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Vraic of the day | Vraic du Jour |
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Come on (the) Green Lions | Véyaon (les) Vaert Liaons | Veeyan(g) (leee) Varr Yan(g) |
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Tony Vance's Green and White Army | La Vaerte et Bllaenche Armaïe à Tony Vance | Lah Varrt eee Bee-ash Arrmaye ah Tony Vance |
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Ormering, Ormering we are the famous Guernsey FC and we are going Ormering. | Es Ormés, es Ormés nou s'est lé CF (Clobbe à Football) célébraï dé Guernesi et nou s'en va es Ormés. | Eeez Orrmeh, eeez Orrmeh nouz eee leh CF (Claub ah Fautbaul) celebrye deh DJERR-nehz-ee eee nou s'au vah eeez Orrmeh |
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I am off to watch Guernsey FC today at Footes Lane. | J'm'en vais vei lé CF Guernesiais ogniet à Footes Lane. | M'au veee veee leh CF DJERR-nehz-yeee aun-yeh ah Footes Lane. |
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What time does the Guernsey game kick off? | A quaïe haeure qu'la gaume guernesiaise cmenche? | Ah kye a-eer-k lah gaum DJERR-nehz-yeeez-k maush? |
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Let's hope for a Guernsey win! | Faot espéraï qué Guernesi gognra! | Fow essperraye keh DHERR-nehz-ee goyrah! |
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The Vale parish | La Paraesse du Valle |
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Happy Christmas ! | Bouan Noué! | Bwau nweh |
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Seasons Greetings | Souhaits d'la Saisaon (Seasons Wishes) Saluts d'la Saisaon (Greetings of the Season) | ||
Across the miles | Dé d'dillian (from afar) | ||
Greetings from Guernsey | Saluts d'Guernesi | ||
Peace and joy | Paix et Jouaie | ||
Father Christmas | Jean Noué |
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Christmas Day | Lé Jour dé Noué |
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Presents | Persents |
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Reindeer | Chaerf du nord |
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Congratulations on the day of your wedding | Félicitâtiaons pour lé jour dé vos neuches |
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Wedding Day | Jour des Neuches |
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Flower girl | Fille à flleurs
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Maid of Honour | Démouaiselle d'Houneur |
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On your wedding day | Lé jour dé vos neuches |
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Graduation | There is no word for 'Graduation'. If the intended meaning is 'Graduation' (ceremony for presenting academic degrees) then you might say 'Persentâtiaon des Dégraïs'. |
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Best teacher / wonderful teacher / great teacher | Millaeure maitraesse/Merveillaeuse maitraesse/Maunifique Maitraesse |
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Happy Birthday! | Bouan Jour dé Naissànce! |
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Happy 40th (Birthday) 'with' Love Mark. or Happy 40th (Birthday) Love (as in friendship) Mark. | Bouan Tchéràntiéme (Jour dé Naissànce) daove Amour, Mark
Bouan Tchéràntiéme (Jour dé Naissànce) daove Oimitchi, Mark |
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Love Mum and Dad on your 30th (thirtieth)
| Amour Mémaen et Pépaen pour vote trentième
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Le Mont Saint Garage 30th | La 30ième du Garâge au Maont Soïnt (if 30th 'anniversary')
Lé 30ième du Garâge au Maont Soïnt (if 30th 'birthday')
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We wish you a Merry Christmas, have a great time! | Nou vou souhaete aen Bouan Noué, aiyi aen bouan tems! | Nou vou swaet ae Bwau Nweh, eee-yee ae bwau tau! |
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We wish you a Happy New Year full of peace and prosperity! | Nou vou souhaete énne Bouanne Nouvele Aunaïe plloïne d'Paix et Prosperitaï! | Nou vou swaet en Bwaunn Nouveeel Aunaye Pee-oynn-d Peee eee Praussperreetaye! |
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The Lord's Prayer | Not Père
Note Père qu'est au cièl qué ton naom seit sànctifiaï, Qué ton règne viaune, Qué ta volontaï seit faete sus la terre coum au cièl. Baïle-naon ogniet note poïn pour la journaïe, Et nous pardaone nos péchés coum nou pardaone les siauns qui nous aont fait ma. Et n'nou meune pas dans la tentâtiaon mais sauve naon du ma. Tchaer ch'est à té lé règne la puissànce et la glouaire, Au siaecllé-des-siaeclles |
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Our Father who is in Heaven, bless us, we pray, bless this food and those that prepared it, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen | Note Père qu'est au Ciel, bénis naon, nou t'prie, bénis chutte mogerie et les siauns qui l'aont préparaï, au naom dé Jésu-Christe, Amen. | /Naut pehrr k'eee o s-yeehl, benee nan(g), nou-t pree, benee shutt maushzree eee leee s-yau kee l'an(g) prepahraye, o nan(g) deh Jehzu-Chreest, Ahmen./ |
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"Congratulations on obtaining citizenship"
| Please below see two possible translations:
1. "Congratulations on having citizenship"
2. "Felicitâtiaons pour aver yaeu la citouoyennetaï"
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"Congratulations on earning citizenship"
| "Felicitâtiaons pour aver gogni la citouoyennetaï"
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The Greenhouse Blackbirds | Les Mêles du Spànne |
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The Greenhouse Magpies | Les Pies du Spànne |
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Homeward bound | S'ramassaïr pour la maisaon (gather oneself up to go home) |
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The conversation (informal) | (La/Énne) D'viss'rie or (La/Énne) Caonversâtiaon |
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Phone Shack | Cahutte à phaones |
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Chalk chatter | Crâquerie d'Creie | krahhhkreed Cray |
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'Al Fresco' (as in, dining outdoors) | Touor. As in J'm'en vais maugié 'touor' (I'm going to eat outdoors) | 'Tworr' |
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The Ladies | Les Daumes |
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Islanders | Îlemans |
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Patriots | Patriotes |
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Sharks | Haus |
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Brick City Church | L'Éghise à la Citaï à Briques |
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The Full Moon | La Plloïne Leune |
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At last | À la fin |
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Summer | Ètaï |
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Summer Fun | Pllaisi d'Ètaï |
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Guernsey Creates | Guernesi ... ...Fachaone (Fachounaï - wrought/shape) ... Fabrique (Fabritché - fabricate/make) ... *Creie (Creiaï - create) In dictionary, but never heard probably because of the confusion with the verb Creire/Creite = Believe/Grow |
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Create Festival | Bit like 'Fézri' making/doing La Fachounrie (d'tché) (of things) La Fabriquerie (d'tché) (of things) Making/Fabricating Festival: Lé Festival à Fabriquerie Lé Festival à Fachounrie The Festival for .... The making/shaping/fabricating/creating (of things) Lé Festival pour fabritché (d'tché) Lé Festival pour fachounaï (d'tché) Lé Festival pour *creiaï (d'tché) |
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Guernsey Landscape | Càmpogne Guernesiaise |
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Occupational Therapy; occupational therapy talking group; occupational therapy supervision; peer supervision; informal peer supervision | (We cannot really use 'Occupâtiaon' the noun as it is used the denote the German Occupation of Guernsey, and the verb, 'otchupaï' denotes, 'to use up something'
Djérisaon en faisànt (literally healing/cure through doing/making)
Djaine dé djérisaon en faisànt à d'viserie; Djérisaon en faisànt à surveillànce (from the verb 'surveillé' or 'survei' = to oversee); surveillànce par l's égaous; surveillànce par l's égaous par écànche |
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Solo violin String duet String trio | Solo à Violaon Daeus à Cordes Treis à Cordes |
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String Quartet | Quartaette / Quate à Cordes |
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Guernsey Strings | Cordes à Guernesi |
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Island Strings | Cordes à l'Île |
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Hot sauce | Saouce pitchànte | SOWSS (rhymes with cow) PEE-CHAA-T |
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The flavour of Guernsey | Lé r'lais à Guernesi
| lehrr leee ahh djerrnehzee |
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Cherry Blossom Tree | Arbe à Bayo Flleurissànte (not native to Guernsey but this is one possibility) |
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The Three Chimneys | Les Treis Chim'naïes |
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Rose Bank | Fossaï à Rosiers |
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Fields of Gold | Courtils à l'Or |
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House on the hill | Maisaon sus l'amaont |
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House in the valley | Maisaon dans la vallaïe |
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Beautiful view | Belle vaeue |
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House / home | Maisaon |
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My house / home | Ci Mé |
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Our house / home | Ci Naon |
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Busy Bee | Bourdaon Meutin |
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Music Notes | Notes à musique |
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Blissful | Plloïn d'jouaie |
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Behind the butcher's shop | Derrière la Choppe au Bouochier
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Behind the butchers' shop | Derrière la Choppe és Bouochiers |
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The House Of The Blissful | La Maisaon des Bian-Fiaers
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Beautiful View | Belle Vaeue | behhl va-ee /vuh/ vow |
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The Fern (La Fougere) | Fern and Bracken = La Fouaïle
La Feugère used also to mean Fern, but this word is now thought to be obsolete?
Lé Feugré = Bracken-brake |
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Good Catch or good crowd/company | Bouanne Peque Bwaunn Paeik (alternative spelling) |
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Forever home
| Ciz naon à jaumais (our home forever) |
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Ray of sunshine
| Apllas du solael or Apllas du soleil |
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Mulberry Cottage | Our translator had never come across a name for 'Mulberry' in Guernsey French, but some sources suggest that it shares a name with 'Blackberry'. So 'Mulberry Cottage' could be translated as:
'Cottage à Maeures' OR 'Maisounaette à Maeures'
OR 'Mulberry Tree Cottage' is: 'Cottage à Maeurier' OR 'Maisounaette à Maeurier'.
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The Butterfly | Lé Papillaon | ||
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Star signs |
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ARIES
| MOUTAON |
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TAURUS
| TOUORÉ |
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GEMINI | JUMÉ
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CANCER
| CHAENCRE |
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LEO
| LLIAON |
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VIRGO
| VIERGE |
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LIBRA
| BALANCHE |
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SCORPIO
| SCORPIAON |
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SAGITTARIUS
| ARCHIER |
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CAPRICORN | BICHAON
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AQUARIUS | TCHERIAEU d'IAOE
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PISCES | PAÏSSAONS
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Frere Jacques Are you sleeping? Morning bells are ringing | Chiaer Frére Djimain, Dorm-ou là? Les cllocques du matin saonne Dinng, daeng, dong
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Lighthouse | La Tour/La Touor (these are regional varieties) | toor/twor) |
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Owl | Cahan
| KAH-hau |
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Missing | qui mànque |
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Disappeared | Disparu |
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Lost | Perdu |
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Misplaced | Adiraï (seems to be used more for inanimate objects) |
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To miss | Màntcher |
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To find | Trouvaïr |
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Found | Trouvaï |
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To search | Trachier |
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To look | Ergardaïr |
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To look out | Djettaïr |
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Scarecrow | Babouin |
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Boat | Baté |
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Fish | Païssaon |
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Flower | Flleur |
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Poppies | Raoses dé tchan |
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Daisies | Berbiaettes |
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Tree | Orme or Arbe |
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Car | Moto |
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Goat | Biche |
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Duck | Piraette |
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Chicken | Pouochin (chick) Poule (hen) |
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Rabbit | Lapin (masc.) Lapaenne (fem.) |
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Snail | Colimâchaon |
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Bird | Mouissaon |
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Pig | Pourché |
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Hedgehog | Pourché d'fossaï |
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Sheep | Berbis |
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Seal | Loup marin/siraune |
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Donkey | Âne |
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Robin | Rouge-gorge |
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Cat | Cat |
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Pony | Pôni |
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Dog | Tchaun |
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Hedgehog | Pourché d'fossaï |
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Fish | Païssaon |
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Ram | Moutaon |
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Gorilla | Guénaon (monkey) |
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Penguin | Pengouin |
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Bird | Mouissaon |
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Mice | Souoris |
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Turtle | Tortue |
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Horse | J'va |
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Cat | Cat |
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Dog | Tchan |
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Bumble-bee | Bourdaon |
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Wasp | Paemperluche |
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Owl | Cahan |
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Slow-worm | Orvé |
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Lizard | Lésarde |
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Sea-gull | Maoue |
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Puffin | Barbélotte |
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Limpet | Fllie |
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Periwinkle | Coquelin or Berhau |
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Ormer | Ormé |
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Fly | Mouque |
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Goose | Ouaie |
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Bike | Baïce |
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Talk of the town | Bagoulerie d'la ville |
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Chat café | Cafi Crâqrie |
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Chat in town | Crâqrie à la ville |
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In October you notice that the days have got shorter, and that you need to put the clocks back an hour. | Au meis d'octobe nou s'apeurchêve des jours racouochi, et k'il est metché d'ertagier l's ôloges énne haeure. | O meee-d auktaub nou s'ahpuhr-sheeev deee shzour rahcwaushee, eee k'eel eee mecheh-d errtaashz-yeh-l z-oloshz en a-eer. |
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Are you making a Guy for Bonfire Night? | Pens-ou faire aen Boudloe pour la Seraïe Boudloe? | Pauss-ou ferr ae Boudlau pour lah Serraye Boudlau? |
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In February there may be cold and snow. | Au meis d'févérier i s'peut ké y ait du fré et d'la née. | O meee-d feverree-eh ee s'puh keh y eee du freh eee dlah neee. |
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Spring is on its way as you can see flowers appearing on the hedges. | Ch'est k'l'ernouvé s'ameune tchaer nou vé les flleurs ki s'déniche su les fossais. | Sh'eee-k l'errnouveh s'ahmuhn chaer nou veh leee fee-uhr kee s'deneesh su leee |
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Beautiful desinations | belles destinâtiaons |
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counting sheep | caontaï les berbis |
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counting donkeys | caontaï l's ânes |
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starfish | terpid |
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octopus | peuvre/pièvre |
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ladybird | baête du Bouan Dju |
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my first Christmas | Mon prumier Noué |
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numbers 1 to 10... | ieune, daeux, treis, quate, chin, six, saept, huit, neuf, dix |
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How did you get here? | Coum tchi qu't'es vnu ichin? | Caum chee-k teee-v nu eesha-ee(n)? |
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Hope the flight over was good? | Nou z-espère qué l'passâge par aer tait bouan? | Nou-z essperr keh-l paahs-aahshz pahr arr teh bwau? |
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Let's hope it is not too cold this winter. | Faot espéraï qu'i n'fra poui tro fré cht ivaer. | Fow essperraye kee-n frah pwee troh freh sht-eevar. |
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Spring | Ernouvé |
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Summer | Etaï |
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Autumn | Ertchéyaent |
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Winter | Ivaer
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Rain | Plleute |
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Snow | Née |
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Hail | Guerzille |
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Sunny | Au Solil (Lé tems est au solil = The weather is sunny)
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Stormy | Taempêtaeu |
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Gloomy | Aête bas (Lé tems est bas = The weather is low (gloomy))
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Cold | Fré (I fait fré = It's cold) (du fré = (some) cold) |
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Warm | Caod (I fait caod = It's warm) (du caod = (some) warm(th)) |
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Frosty | en jlaïe (in frost, Lé tems est en jlaïe = It's frosty (weather))
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This month we'll celebrate Liberation Day, and as we say, 'Let us remember and celebrate!'
| Chu meis nou célèbra lé jour dla Liberâtiaon, et coum nou di, 'Faot daon s'en ermaette et célébraï!'
| Shü meee nou celebrahh leh jour dlahh Leeberr-rahhhss-ya(ng), eh caum nou dee, 'Fow da(ng) s'au-r-matt eh celebr-eye!' |
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It'll soon be summer, so we can expect to see longer days and finer weather.
| Sh'ra bian-ae-caop l'étaï, qé nou peu s'attende à vée dé pu laong jours et dé pu biau tems.
| Sh'rah biaun-a-a(n) cow l'ettaye, keh nou peu s'ataud a vei deh pu la(ng) jour eee deh pü b-yo tau. |
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It's the start of the Town Carnival on 15th of this month, let's all go and see it then.
| lé 15 dé chu meis ch'érait l'cmochement du Carniva à la Ville, faot daon allaï l'vée!
| Leh cha-eez deh shü meee sh'erreh-l cmaushmau du Cahhrneevahh ahh lahh Veel, fow da(ng) ahhlaye l'veee. |
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August is the month of the traditional Shows in Guernsey, are you planning on going? | Lé mei d'oû est l'mei des Shaos traditiounaels en Dgernesi, pens-ous y allaï?
| Leh meee-d ou eee-l meee deee Show trahh-deess-younal au Gierrnesi, pauss-ou y ahhlaye? |
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During mid-September days and nights are of similar/equal length.
| A la mié-stembe les jours et les niets s'enter semblle.
| Ahh lahh m-yeh-staub leee jour eh leee n-yeh s'auterr saub
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This month we celebrate Easter, so we which you a Happy Easter! | Chu meis nou célèbra Pâques, qé nou vou souhaete Bouannes Pâques! | Shü meee nou celebrahh Pahhhk, keh nou vou swatt Bwaunn Pahhhk! |
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"Attend, Aspire, Achieve" | "Ête là, D'siraï, Ach'vaï " | /Aeet lah, Dzeeraye, Ahsh-vaye/ |
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Dear ....We hope you are feeling a little better. You are in our thoughts and prayers. From .... | Chiaer (masc.), Chière (fem.) .... Nou-z-espère qu'vous s'trouvaï aen ptit mus. Vous aêtes dans nos pensaïes and périères. Dé ... (formal, plural, traditionally used to address older (parents and parents') generations )
Chiaer (masc.), Chière (fem.) .... Nou-z-espère qu'tu t'trouves aen ptit mus. T'es dans nos pensaïes et périères. Dé.... (informal, singular) |
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Don't worry be happy | N'té gêne pas, sé fiaer! (when addressing a male, informal)
N'vous gênaï pas, séyi fiaer! (when addressing a male, formal, or when addressing more than one person both informal and formal)
N'té gêne pas, sé fière! (when addressing a female, informal)
N'vous gênaï pas, séyi fière! (when addressing a female, formal, or when addressing more than one female both informal and formal)
Or
N'té broule pas, sé fiaer! (when addressing a male, informal)
N'vous broullaï pas, séyi fiaer! (when addressing a male, formal, or when addressing more than one person both informal and formal)
N'té broule pas, sé fière! (when addressing a female, informal)
N'vous broullaï pas, séyi fière! (when addressing a female, formal, or when addressing more than one female both informal and formal) |
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Winter is coming,my love | L'Hivaer s'en viaunt, m'n amour .. |
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born to be a goalkeeper
born to be in goal
born to play in goal
King of the 'clean sheet' | Naï pour ête gardgian du gaole
naï pour ête dans l'gaole
naï pour jouaï dans l'gaole
Roué d'la 'naette fièlle'
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Powered by electric | Cachi par l'électrique
| cush-ee pahhr lelek-treek |
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Longer pieces of prose
The Blind Hermit
I have no friends; my friends are my senses.
I have no enemies; my enemy is absent-mindedness.
I have no allies; the stick that guides my steps is my ally.
I have no companions; the sea is my companion.
I have no songs; I hear the birds in the wood.
I know no tales; the wind and the rain whisper to me.
I have no books; my memories are my books.
I have no games; my game is life.
I have no mother; my mother are the plants and the streams that sustain me.
I have no father; the cave that shelters me is my father.
I have neither master nor disciples; I am both myself.
I have no quarrel with anyone; I rarely speak.
I do not fall sick; the only true disease is doubt.
I pray to none; my belief is that which I know.
L'Hermite Aveuglle
J'ai pas d'omis; m's omis saont mes sens.
J'ai pas d'énnémis; m'n énnémi est d'aête érrâtaï.
J'ai pas d'caompllices; lé bâtaon qui djide mes pas est mon caompllice.
J'ai pas d'parchouniers; la maïr est ma parchounière.
J'ai pas d'chaensaons; j'o l'mouissaon à la fouorêt.
J'counis pas d'lures; lé vent et la plleute mé caonte à l'oréle.
J'ai pas d'lives; mes mémouéres saont mes lives.
J'ai pas d'gaumes; ma gaume est la vie.
J'ai pas d'mére; ma mére est les pllaentes et les douits qui m'soutchaune.
J'ai pas d'pére; la câve qui m'abrie est mon pére.
J'n'ai ni maeîte ni disciplles nitou; j'sis mé-maême ches-chin.
J'ai pas d'dégonerie daove autcheun; jé d'vise djére souvent.
J'tchais pas malâde; la seule vraie maladie est la doutaence.
J'prie pas à autcheun; ma créaenche est tout chu qué j'saïs.