Language Louisiana Creole people

19th-century newspaper clipping thibodaux, la

louisiana french (lf) regional variety of french language spoken throughout contemporary louisiana individuals today identify ethno-racially creole, cajun or french, identify spanish (particularly in new iberia , baton rouge, creole people mix of french , spanish , speak french language), african-american, white, irish, or other origins. individuals , groups of individuals through innovation, adaptation, , contact, continually enrich french language spoken in louisiana, seasoning linguistic features can found in louisiana.

tulane university s department of french , italian website prominently declares in louisiana, french not foreign language . figures u.s. decennial censuses report 250,000 louisianans claimed use or speak french in homes.

louisiana creole (kréyol la lwizyàn) french creole language spoken louisiana creole people , cajuns , anglo-residents of state of louisiana. language consists of elements of french, spanish, african, , native american roots.

among eighteen governors of louisiana between 1803–1865, 6 french creoles , spoke french: jacques villeré, pierre derbigny, armand beauvais, jacques dupré, andre b. roman, , alexandre mouton.

according historian paul lachance, addition of white immigrants white creole population enabled french-speakers remain majority of white population [in new orleans] until 1830. if substantial proportion of creoles of color , slaves had not spoken french, however, gallic community have become minority of total population 1820. in 1850s, white francophones remained intact , vibrant community; maintained instruction in french in 2 of city s 4 school districts. in 1862, union general ben butler abolished french instruction in new orleans schools, , statewide measures in 1864 , 1868 further cemented policy. end of 19th century, french usage in city had faded significantly. however, late 1902 one-fourth of population of city spoke french in ordinary daily intercourse, while two-fourths able understand language perfectly, , late 1945, 1 still encountered elderly creole women spoke no english. last major french-language newspaper in new orleans, l’abeille de la nouvelle-orléans, ceased publication on december 27, 1923, after ninety-six years; according sources le courrier de la nouvelle orleans continued until 1955.

today, in more rural areas people continue speak louisiana french or louisiana creole. during 40s , 50s many creoles left louisiana find work in texas, in houston , east texas. language , music spoken there; 5th ward of houston called frenchtown due reason. there zydeco clubs started in houston, famed silver slipper owned creole named alfred cormier has hosted likes of clifton chenier , boozoo chavais.

on other hand, spanish usage has fallen markedly on years among spanish creoles. still, in first half of twentieth century, of people of saint bernard , galveztown spoke spanish language canarian spanish dialect (the ancestors of these creoles canary islands) of 18th century, government of louisiana imposed use of english in these communities, in schools (e.g. saint bernard) if teacher heard children speaking spanish fine them , punish them. now, people on age of 80 can speak spanish in these communities. of youth of saint bernard can speak english.