The Other Island: The Islenos of St. Bernard | La Veillée

Like French, Spanish has been spoken in Louisiana for centuries, albeit by a smaller population, notably including the Islenos of St. Bernard Parish. In this special Spanish-language episode with French and English subtitles, we spoke with several of the handful of remaining speakers of this unique dialect of Spanish inherited from the Canary Islands. These St. Bernard residents told us the story of La Isla, or the Island of Delacroix, the distinct majority-Spanish-speaking, fishing community where they grew up in the Southeastern marshes of St. Bernard Parish. Mr. Jesse Alfosno then shared with us a little more detail on the economy, culture, and language of this unparalleled community - now largely displaced since Hurricane Katrina.