dzakyeNos sens tuès des arpitans!
Yes, our language exists all around Mont-Blanc and we all fight for survival as in Bagnes - Happily enough, the "Patois council" of Bernard Bornet has now created a foundation which is about to support all kinds of initiatives to support our traditional language in Valais ( . Arpitan has evolved over 1000 years and 50 generations. It has coined new words, new ways to see reality and to assemble words to mirror the world. Every language that dies out is at least as big a catastrophy as species dying out. Our patrimony is precious: its diversity is its richness. Complexity is a source of wonder. Standardisation must be resisted; it annihilates diversity which is the salt of planet earth.
MountainRadioThe original language of the Verbier region isn't French...it's franco-provençal, otherwise known as Arpitan or, to locals, as patois. Amandine Baillifard is a member of the group Y Fayerou, which is helping to keep the language alive.
MountainRadioIn May former downhill star Willy Besse talked us through the changes in ski design since the 90s. He was born and raised in Bruson and won 4 World Cup races during his career. He now spends his seasons working as a ski instructor for Les Fantastiques in Verbier and as an expert pundit for Télévision Suisse Romande.
