lost in translation
- The Norfolk Schools Dialect Project -
This project was born from the desire by FOND
to have the local dialect understood and appreciated by schools and the
next generation as both a cultural heritage and ‘living thing’.
The requirement of the national curriculum and the enthusiasm and interest
of the Professional Development team of Norfolk Childrens Services produced
a ‘marriage made in heaven’.
The project was born... Local Heritage Initiative were excited by the project
and provided approximately £25,000.
Of the original eleven schools who ‘signed up’ nine completed the project.
They are:
All Saints Primary School, Brancaster Primary School, Diss High School,
Firside Middle School, Forncett St Peter Church of England Primary School,
Harleston C of E VA Primary School, Langham Village School,
Sheringham Primary School, Thompson Primary School,
and Wymondham High School.
Each school received a day's training from Prof.
Peter Trudgill and members of the PDC
alongside a member of FOND
This project has received national publicity, from features in The
Guardian to The
Sun to local TV and Radio. Activities culminated in a celebratory exhibition
at the Forum
and performances at the Royal
Norfolk Show, as well as a Radio programme on Radio
Norfolk.
The schools had help from either
Spin Off Productions - a local theatre group - and/or Rig
a Jig Jig - a local traditional music group. The actual projects selected
by the schools varied considerably.
Each school laid on a presention of the project to their local population.