jerseysarnia.com culture

On your arrival to the Channel Islands you may think that the Islands are the same as the United Kingdom and you will suddenly find this is very much not the case. You may decide to buy something from the airport shop and be handed a Jersey or Guernsey pound note!

All the Channel Islands have a fascinating culture with influences from the UK and France and especially Normandy.This clever mix comes together on the islands.
Each of the islands has its own forms of ancient Norman dialect.
Until the 2nd World War the language was widely spoken, however with a greater influence
of English speaking a rapid decline came. Recently there has been a renaissance in the
island languages of Jerriais, Guernaiais and Sercquiais.

Villages to street names retain a Norman French feel and to the British
tourist this can cause great confusion. Example would be La Rue de Derriere (King Street)
Even the names of shops are going to be different, mixed in with some well known UK high street stores.

The islands have there own Governments are not part of the UK nor the European Union
But are loyal to the British Crown and not the UK Government.

The Channel Islands have there own unique food like Guernseys own Gache, and Conger Soup and Jerseys Du Nier Beurre (Black Butter) and festivals during the year.

May 9th is a public holiday across the islands and marks the important day of liberation for
the islands and commemorates the end of the German Occupation in 1945.

You will notice a more relaxed feel about the pace of life in the islands to the UK mainland
and every island has evolved its own culture and traditions, don’t think that Jersey is the same
as Guernsey! The islands are all very different!

The Islands are a very clever mix of cultures and possibly now creating something new
that will always set them apart. Viva la difference!

Have a look at these two websites that are organisations that promote island culture.