Stamps mark traditional language

Guernsey French is spoken by about 1,400 islanders

Guernsey's native language, Guernesiaise, has been commemorated in a new stamp release.

The six Guernsey Post designs feature key words and phrases. They were designed by islander Chris Griffiths.

Guernesiaise or Patois is derived from Norman French and is still spoken to some extent by about 1,400 islanders.

The new stamps include phrases such as: "A la perchoine" (until the next time) and "L'affaire va-t-alle?" (How are things?)

Guernsey Post Sales and Marketing Director Greg Yeoman said: "While Guernsey French is no longer the language of day to day communication, its link to our social history makes it of interest to international stamp collectors as well as islanders."

The designer Chris Griffiths worked with Guernsey French expert Hazel Tomlinson to pick out phrases which "captured the essence" of the language.