Does Louisiana still speak French?

One of the most frequently forgotten French-speaking regions is found in the far south of the former colony of New France. Three centuries after the arrival of explorers in the mouth of the Mississippi, and even two centuries after the lowering of the French flag in New Orleans after its sale to the United States, a unique and French-speaking culture persists today. Despite a pronounced decline that began in the mid-19th century, the Cajun language perseveres, thanks to renewed interest during the 1960s combined with the founding of the Council for the Development of French in Louisiana, or CODOFIL. But there was never a single Cajun identity, nor a single language. During the colonial era, Louisiana French languages ​​included the French of refugees from Acadia and the Caribbean islands, the dialects of the settlers, and the Creole of blacks and free people of color which were mixed to create a distinct Louisiana French. To combat the challenges and risk of the disappearance of this unique heritage and culture, the approach to defending the French language is beginning to change.

Sources:

Made with Google Earth.

Chapters:
0:00 - Introduction
2:08 - History of French in Louisiana
11:45 - Creole, “Indian French,” and the role of minorities
19:56 - Louisiana French Today

[raymondkizer]

Merci, Monsieur merci! Je parle francais et j'adore Louisiane.

[Gary-rt]

Very few people speak Cajun French. Nearly every person younger than 60 does not speak it. If they do, it is just regular French with some Cajun words thrown in. It was taken from us, by our own government.

[leroyproud]

The state uses Napoleonic Code over English common law in their legal system.

[christopherbradley]

I don't know if it's French, English or what but I've spent time in that God forsaken, mosquito infested swamp and to be honest, I don't think anyone will ever know WTF those people are saying.