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2019.01.29
9 Deputy J.M. Maçon of the Minister for Infrastructure regarding the manner in
which the Jèrriais Plan 2017-2019' informed the work of his department: [OQ.25/2019]
Will the Minister advise how the Jèrriais Plan 2017-2019 (R.72/2017) informs the work of his department; will he state whether the planned establishment of public sector offices in Broad Street has incorporated the provision of signage in Jèrriais; and if not, will he explain why not?
Deputy K.C. Lewis (The Minister for Infrastructure):
The Jèrriais plan is routinely considered in the work of the department. In the Broad Street offices, the "Government of Jersey" will be added to the external signage and internal directories. However, the branding has yet to be signed-off by the Council of Ministers. There will be a welcome sign in Jèrriais as you walk through the first double doors, and a Jèrriais name is being prepared for the staffroom with further decorative wording in evidence throughout the building. The building was previously occupied by the Royal Bank of Canada, so lots of the rooms at the moment have Canadian Inuit names, so it is a good opportunity for a rebranding.
- Deputy J.M. Maçon:
I thank the Minister for clarifying that because I was given to understand a week or so ago that no Jèrriais was going to be used on the signage of this new building, which seemed to be at odds with the plan that the States has already adopted. I thank the Minister for that. I wonder perhaps, when he has time, he can go and ask his officers when exactly those decisions were made to make sure that Jèrriais was put in those signs.
Deputy K.C. Lewis :
As I stated, it has yet to be cleared by the Council of Ministers.
- Deputy M. Tadier :
As a linguist, I feel slightly sad that Inuit is going to be the victim for Jèrriais in terms for the inside of the building; I will not dwell on that too much. One would have hoped that in terms of visibility it should have been obvious, with or without the impending debate that is going to happen, that there should have been some provision - this very new building in 2019 - for some Jèrriais signage on the outside. Is the Minister aware that there is a standing offer from the L'Office du Jèrriais for any States department, but also the private sector, to come and approach them and they will help out for free when it comes to wording appropriate signage for whichever sector? Will the Minister inform his ministerial colleagues in future that that is available?
Deputy K.C. Lewis :
I thank the Deputy for his suggestion. I look forward to hearing his renditions of the Inuktitut language. Yes, that has been made available to all Ministers. I think all Ministers are aware of the Jèrriais Department and will be taking full advantage of it.
Deputy M. Tadier :
Whether it is Inuit or Jèrriais, I hope that none of these languages end up getting left out in the cold when it comes to the considerations of the Ministers, and signage in future.
- Connétable S.A. Le Sueur -Rennard of St. Saviour :
Could I just say how I think it is wonderful that a Canadian office in this tiny little island can carry their language through when they are miles away from it and yet this Island cannot carry its own language?
The Deputy Bailiff :
Is there a question there?
The Connétable of St. Saviour :
Could you see that you could put that to right please? Deputy K.C. Lewis :
I will do my best.
- Deputy J.M. Maçon:
Can I just ask the Minister: despite the fact that we do have the Jèrriais plan, what training is undertaken, if any, by his officers in order for them to better understand Jèrriais in general. I am not saying necessarily that they should be parlance in the language, but just to have an understanding about what is on offer, for example, from L'Office du Jèrriais?
Deputy K.C. Lewis :
I am not sure, to be honest. I know that some of them do speak Jèrriais. We have some very old hands still with us. But they are aware that they can avail themselves of the offices of Jèrriais. But I will remind them.