Cajun French

Cajun French is a dialect of French that is spoken in the U.S. state of Louisiana. It is derived from the French spoken by Acadians who were deported from Nova Scotia in the 18th century. Cajun French is not mutually intelligible with Standard French. Cajun French is spoken by about 200,000 people in Louisiana. Most of the speakers are over the age of 60. The number of speakers is declining due to the influence of English. Cajun French is considered to be endangered. Efforts are being made to revitalize the language. In 2008, the Louisiana Legislature passed a law that made Cajun French an official language of the state, along with English. Cajun French is a rich and vibrant language. It has been described as a “melting pot” of French, African, and Native American influences. The language has a distinctive accent and unique vocabulary. Cajun French is a beautiful language that is worth preserving.