Do you know anyone who speaks fluent Cajun and/or Louisianan-French? Or is it pretty much a dead language now? (New Orleans: home, schools)

[xpxexaxcxex]

I am just curious of the current status of the French language in Louisiana.

Is it dying or is it still spoken by a few and trying to remain alive?

Do you know anyone who speaks it. And I mean, truly speaks Cajun and.or Louisianan French fluently and perfectly.

If I walk down the main street of Lafayette, LA would I hear conversations by the townspeople being spoken in French?

I am curious. My daughter has studied French for several years. Lived in Montreal and studied in Paris.
She is interested in taking me to Cajun Country with her so she speak to the locals in French and "study" the language while there (just for fun, not for her schooling).

Thank you!

[Acajack]

Part of your answer lies here:

Counties and parishes with the highest proportion of French-speakers

Note: speakers of French-based creole languages are not included in percentages.

• St. Martin Parish, Louisiana (pop. 48,583) - 27.4% French-speaking
• Evangeline Parish, Louisiana (pop. 35,434) - 25.7% French-speaking
• Vermilion Parish, Louisiana (pop. 53,807) - 24.9% French-speaking
• Aroostook County, Maine (pop. 73,938) - 22.4% French-speaking
• Lafourche Parish, Louisiana (pop. 89,974) - 19.1% French-speaking
• Acadia Parish, Louisiana (pop. 58,861) - 19.0% French-speaking
• Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana (pop. 41,481) - 17.6% French-speaking
• Assumption Parish, Louisiana (pop. 23,388) - 17.6% French-speaking
• St. Landry Parish, Louisiana (pop. 87,700) - 16.7% French-speaking
• Coos County, New Hampshire (pop. 33,111) - 16.2% French-speaking
• Jefferson Davis Parish, Louisiana (pop. 31,435) - 16.2% French-speaking
• Lafayette Parish, Louisiana (pop. 190,503) - 14.4% French-speaking
• Androscoggin County, Maine (pop. 103,793) - 14.3% French-speaking

Source: Wikipedia.


I don't live in Louisiana, but I have been there and my experience has been that you don't really hear that many people speaking French out in public - even in these areas. French was looked down upon for a long time (not so much these days) and the old reflexes of speaking French only at home remain for a lot of people.

One thing that does happen though is if people overhear you speaking in French then they will talk to you in French. I've also had people who spoke only English but overheard me speaking in French tell me that they will "find me" someone who speaks French that I can talk to. Even though I can speak English just fine.

[annie_himself]

It's not popular among the younger generation. It's a shame, I really wish all of south Louisiana was bilingual.

[xpxexaxcxex]

Originally Posted by annie_himself

It's not popular among the younger generation. It's a shame, I really wish all of south Louisiana was bilingual.

Do you speak Cajun?

[annie_himself]

Originally Posted by xpxexaxcxex

Do you speak Cajun?

Not a lick.

[xpxexaxcxex]

Originally Posted by annie_himself

Not a lick.

Do you know anybody that does?

[annie_himself]

Originally Posted by xpxexaxcxex

Do you know anybody that does?

I "dated" a girl that could speak a little Cajun. It was mostly phrases but she can generally understand it.

[xpxexaxcxex]

Originally Posted by annie_himself

I "dated" a girl that could speak a little Cajun. It was mostly phrases but she can generally understand it.

It is good to know it is still alive somewhat.
I wish America was more bilingual.

[annie_himself]

Originally Posted by xpxexaxcxex

It is good to know it is still alive somewhat.
I wish America was more bilingual.

It's dying quickly. After the older generation passes away, it will be virtually non-existent. That is truly a tragedy for this state.
It would also help relations with France and Europe. Could you imagine the French migrating here?

[rcp11889]

I don't speak "cajun" french but I consider myself a French speaker of Louisiana. Although the language cant be heard too often, there is a major push to bring it back with French immersion schools. Also, there is evidence that the next generation of young people are starting to bring it back. In New Orleans, I've heard people speaking french and met french speakers but they were either a. french immigrants b. products of french immersion (not cajun french) or c. just happen to speak french. I live in New Orleans so i dont know too many cajuns but out of my close circle of friends, only like 3 or 4 do not speak french. I don't know if that's normal in other parts of the country though.