Event raises awareness of native Guernsey language

The event was held to promote the work of the Guernsey Language Commission

An event to raise awareness of Guernsey's officially recognised language has been held.

The public event celebrating Guernesiais was held to promote the work of the Guernsey Language Commission (GLC).

Stalls were set up at St Martins Community Centre, encouraging people to speak or read the language.

Sir Richard Collas, GLC Chairman, said the language was "a link to our past, and a bridge to our future".

He said: "The importance of Guernesiais in the culture of our island was recognised by the States when they voted to establish the Guernsey Language Commission and to adopt Guernesiais as an official language.

"The revival of the language is of necessity a long-term project, the success of which can only be achieved by ensuring that as many people as possible understand the importance of our own unique language, its relevance today and the benefits which it might bring to our community and to each of us individually."

Joy Liggett from the commission said "Guernesiais is all around us without us even realising it, and we tend to take it for granted".