Cajun Crawfish Pie
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Cajun Language
What language do the Acadians speak? The answer is sort of obvious (Cajun French), but we should qualify it a bit. The Acadians were separated from France for some 300 years. Just as Americans began speaking English a bit differently after being separated from England for hundreds of years, the same is true of the Acadians. Acadians and French citizens can understand each other, but it can be a bit difficult, and the Acadians have added quite a few unique words to the language.
Until the 1960's, children in Louisiana were not allowed to speak French in public school. It was very normal for teachers to beat the kids with a ruler if they did so, or they would be made to stay after school as punishment. Teachers often told the kids that only poor and ignorant people spoke French. As a result, Cajun French almost disappeared from Louisiana. While some young children were still taught French at their home and English at school, parents started to no longer teach their children in their native tongue, as they feared that their kids would be ridiculed in school and elsewhere.
Thankfully, this changed in the 1960's. Not only is Cajun French allowed in schools now, but almost every school in South Louisiana taught French. While Cajun French is not as popular as it once was in Acadiana, it is on the rise again. That is a very good thing for Louisiana and her people.
Here are a few common Cajun sayings and phrases that you would be likely to hear in South Louisiana. If you need help with any not listed here, just send us an email and we will see what we can do.
- Ca c'est bon- That's good!
- C'est magnifique- That is great!
- Mon cher- My dear.
- Fais-do-do- An Acadian dance.
- Lagniappe- Something extra, similar to a bonus.
- Laisser les bons temps rouler- Let the good times roll!
- Bonjour Mes Amis- Good day my friends.
- Merci Beaucoup- Thank you very much.