Le cri du bayou: le statut et la promotion de la langue Française et la musique Cadienne en Louisiane

Abstract

As one of the rare Francophone regions in North America, Louisiana has a unique culture and French dialect, spawning from Acadian immigrants who came to the Louisiana colony in the latter part of the 18th century. As the Cajun identity evolved, several strong influences have shaped and formed the Cajun French language; yet, it remains in danger due to damages from a 1921 law prohibiting the use of French in Louisiana and increased exposure to Anglo-American culture. However, many efforts to promote Cajun French have been employed since 1968 and the creation of the Council for the Development of French in Louisiana (CODOFIL), especially regarding the implementation of French-language immersion programs. In order to obtain their goal of preserving the Cajun French dialect, CODOFIL first realized the need to reestablish a sense of linguistic and cultural pride in the Cajun community. By hosting the World Acadian Congress in 1999, Louisiana Cajuns were able to reinforce important ties with other French-speaking communities in Canada and worldwide, thereby establishing pride in their French heritage. This new cultural identity, coupled with the immense popularity of Cajun music in Louisiana offers another method of strengthening the precarious future of Cajun French by presenting a new way to attract younger generations to the dialect. This work will explore the status of the French language and music in Louisiana today, focusing on the ways in which a strong cultural element could provide important tools for protecting and promoting the unique Cajun French dialect.