Do you know anyone who speaks fluent Cajun and/or Louisianan-French? Or is it pretty much a dead language now?

[MUSICQUEENPOLHYMNIA]

well,
being i am from, as in, born and raised in 'CAJUN COUNTRY', i can say that my grandmother and her parents spoke fluent cajun french. during mawmaws childhood there was an active prohibition on speaking french even for children at school outside the classroom. that practise all but killed the cajun dialect. however, in the 1980s an organization called CODOFIL, was "invented" the acronym is:
COUNCIL ON DEVELOPEMENT OF FRENCH IN LOUISIANA. they, the idiot powers that be, decided that the all but extermination of our native 'bastardized' version of PARISIENNE FRENCH was actually a cultural asset and worth saving. seems like with all of the references to "CAJUN" this and that, they would take advantage of the globalization and notoriety afforded in the musical references to our culture.
CODOFIL seems to be helping in reviving the all but lost culture known as CAJUN/CREOLE. and, the state of LOUISIANA has been actively encouraging the french heritage and language. but, what most do not realize is the differences between cajun and creole. cajun is french, while creole is spanish with indigenous peoples. there has been so much blending that to be honest my personal belief is that the purity of cajun/creole has diminished to the extent there are no more differences.

well, i would say goodbye in french except it is prohibited so,

later,
the pad
musicqueenpolhymnia
moi/me sldc

[DeanGuitarist]

I wish I could to. Growing up I used to be with my grandparents at the fais do do. My grampa played guitar in a band. They spoke Cajun fluently and I would listen. I know some words and sayings. But I really wish I could go back and have them teach me.

[PeteyC]

Try Southwest Louisiana, for example, rural areas like New Iberia, St. Martinsville, westward to Crowley, Erath on to rural Lake Charles. Their are many proud of their heritage and pass on their culture and language. Some choose to follow some not.

[Cryptic]

Originally Posted by annie_himself

From my many many visits to the city, I can't recall hearing French at all. Yet I've heard many other languages. Strange eh..

I heard it once in a non tourist section of the city. That aside the few remaining francophones in Louisiana tend to live in rural areas west of New Orleans. I have heard Cajun French in Breaux Bridge and in Swords (map dot west of Oplalousas sp).

Originally Posted by Ddhanks

I wish I could to. Growing up I used to be with my grandparents at the fais do do. My grampa played guitar in a band. They spoke Cajun fluently and I would listen. I know some words and sayings. But I really wish I could go back and have them teach me.

Me too. Though I am not Cajun, my family was part francophone when I was growing up. I used to be able to follow movies and conversations, but not any more.

[Imsoblue]

I was raised about 20 miles from Lafayette. You will not hear French when you walk down Main Street. What you will hear in the shops and grocery store is a strong accent and maybe strange sayings (examples: If you were saying you would get out of your car, a true Cajun says they are getting down. You would put away your groceries. My grandmother 'saved' her groceries (and her dishes.)) My grandmother who would be 139 spoke Cajun French, her parents spoke no English. My dad, her son, was pure English speaking. Schools banned the children from speaking French in those days. My husband, also from Acadiana, speaks no French, but people know where he's from by his accent. Read a Cajun Night Before Christmas to practice your accent before you go. And make sure you visit St. Martinville and the Evangeline Oak where the true Acadians arrived from Canada.

[chadgates]

[PeteyC]

Long life Codofil! Thank you Jimmy Domengeaux!

[DutchessCottonPuff]

I did or do , he is still living .. an excellent boyfriend from Galliano , years ago .. He was SO handsome and loved to hear him speak it . Stupid me didn't marry him ( he DID ask more than a few times) because at the time 35 years back I was afraid to leave Texas .. one of my few regrets again ... ahh that black hair and lite blue eyes .. LAWD !!!

[Alabamarose]

Originally Posted by chadgates

I loved your video. And you made so many excellent points.