Thurb

Introduction

History

Climate

Beasts and plants

To Paradise by cattle truck 

People

Language

Creole

Creole example 1

Creole example 2

Beaches

Food

Transport

Excursions

Moyenne Island

Praslin and La Digue

Sunset Beach Hotel

Scuba diving

Kate's adventures

Nettan and Bill

Photos

Seychelles language

Many people in the Seychelles speak English and French, which were the official national languages until 1981, but their mother tongue is usually Creole, which is now the national language. Creole is derived from French, but it doesn't look or sound like French, because they write it phonetically and speak it in a totally unFrench way. I found the sound of Creole rather musical and attractive; I'm not sure if French people would agree.

I asked in a number of places in Victoria for a book on Creole, but was told there was no such thing. Someone told me that there was once a dictionary, but it was banned (and subsequently much sought after) when the government noticed that it contained a number of rude words.

After I'd given up, Mark and Kate Brennan came across a 72-page introduction to Creole somewhere, and kindly donated it to me. Example 1 is taken from the book. I found example 2 on a notice nailed to a tree.