The Cajun Home Companion

Book excerpt: The Cajun Home Companion: Learn to Speak Cajun French And Other Essentials Every Cajun Should Know by Joseph and Scott Savoy A linguistic tragedy has unfolded in Louisiana as the first and second generations of non-French speaking Cajuns become Americanized. The ability to speak French, which in Louisiana had for centuries been handed down orally, is no longer part of Cajun cultural experience. Unlike their ancestors, who for hundreds of years spoke only French, most modern day Cajuns have lost their birth-right ... they have lost their ability to speak Cajun French. The 20th century has seen the systematic dismantling of the Cajun language, leaving many Cajuns with a longing for that lost part of their culture. If you have ever wanted to learn how to speak the language of your Cajun grandparents and their grandparents before them, this book was written for you. Through this simple guide, you will be speaking French from the very first lesson. And as your Cajun French vocabulary grows, you will learn to communicate more effectively. Both authors are excited about this work and in the ongoing Cajun Renaissance which began in the end of the 20th Century and is still gaining momentum. The Cajun Home Companion, with forward by Linda LeBert-Corbello, PhD, gives practical speaking exercises and also includes descriptions of cultural and historical events pivotal in forming the Cajun persona.