Louisiana’s official bilingual status just got a little more inclusive.
Legal documents translated from English to French will now also be translated to Cajun French whenever possible, according to a recently passed resolution from the state’s House of Representatives.
The resolution, introduced by Rep. Stephen Ortego, D-Carencro, aims to preserve the endangered Cajun French language, which is derived from French, German, Portugese, Spanish and Haitian Creole.
While Cajun French can be heard in some parts of southern Louisiana, many students have noticed a decline in the number of Cajun French speakers.
Biology sophomore Tori Thibodeaux, a Lafayette native, said the language is rarely spoken in her hometown today.
“Some of the older generations do, but it’s not common anymore,” she said.
Thibodeaux attributed the decline in speakers to the predominant role English has played in Louisiana in recent decades.
Thibodeaux said her grandparents’ family friend – whose first language was Cajun French – was banned from speaking the language in school. From her experience decades ago, the family friend thought it wouldn’t be necessary to teach her children Cajun French.
Thibodeaux said her grandparents speak Cajun French but never taught her parents the language.
Thibodeaux, who is enrolled in the University’s Cajun French spring course, said her heritage and high school background inspired her selection.
“Some of my family members speak Cajun French, and I took French in high school,” Thibodeaux said. “The language is an important part of the culture in south Louisiana.”
Denise Egéa-Kuehne, director of the French Education Project for Research and Teacher Education, said she is in favor of the resolution’s passage.
“Any action in support of any language is a sound decision,” Egéa-Kuehne said. “Let’s hope that the new legislation will increase the efforts to support the French language and culture in Louisiana. It is a most valuable part of both its heritage and of its economic resources.”
Egéa-Kuehne said some Cajun French terms continue to be heard in Louisiana today, including “chaoui” for “raccoon,” “pacane” for “pecan” and “cher” for “dear.”
But Thibodeaux said she doesn’t know if the legislation will have an impact on preserving the Cajun French language. “I think it’ll only have a minor impact,” she said. “Speaking the language would have a greater impact.”
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Contact Kate Mabry at [email protected]
Legislation to include Cajun French translation heads to Senate
May 3, 2012