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by Randall P. Whatley (Author), Harry Jannise (Author)
The Cajun language, spoken by the decendants of exiled Acadians, has been passed on by word of mouth for more than two hundred years. Cajun French is still widely spoken throughout Louisiana, despite threat of extinction and the controversies associated with including the language in school curricula. Conversational Cajun French I, the first systematic approach to teaching the language, makes Cajun French accessible to those born outside Cajun families and works to preserve the Cajun language and culture.
An extremely practical introduction to Cajun French, this resource focuses on everyday words and common phrases that can be understood everywhere the language is spoken, regardless of the various dialects and subdialects. The Cajun words for the days and months, holidays, parts of the body, numbers, clothing, colors, foods, animals, fruits and vegetables, tools, and plants, as well as a section of useful expressions and a list of traditional Cajun names, are among the elements included.
The book--designed for use in conjunction with the companion compact discs or audio download--includes a pronunciation guide to enable even the beginning student to converse with Cajuns. Narrated by author Randall P. Whatley, the CDs and download clarify the nuanced pronunciation necessary to learn this beautiful and, until now, elusive language.
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Mais, sa c'est queque chose quand meme! Apprendre le français cadien par la lecture!
Cajun French is still widely heard throughout Louisiana. However, this language--spoken by the descendants of the exiled Acadians--is in danger of disappearing. It was illegal to speak it at one time and even today, the teaching of Cajun French in schools is a controversial issue.
With the publication of Conversational Cajun French 1, the first systematic approach to teaching the language, Cajun French becomes accessible to those born outside Cajun families. Authors Randall Whatley and Harry Jannise, Cajuns who speak fluent Cajun French, originally developed this handbook for a series of informal conversational Cajun French classes for the Louisiana State University Union in Baton Rouge. As an introduction to Cajun French, the book is extremely practical. Conversational Cajun French 1 focuses on everyday words and common phrases that can be understood everywhere the language is spoken, despite the various dialects and subdialects. Included are lessons in everyday words such as days and months, holidays, parts of the body, numbers, clothing, colors, rooms of the house and their furnishings, foods, animals, fruits and vegetables, tools, plants, and trees. In addition, there is a section of useful expressions and a list of traditional Cajun names.Although the book is designed to be used in conjunction with audio CDs or downloads (available from Pelican), a pronunciation guide enables even the beginning student working alone to learn enough to converse with Cajuns--or at least enough to stay out of trouble in South Louisiana! Conversational Cajun French 1 is an important book not only because it provides a means for those trying to learn Cajun French on their own, but also because it marks an effort to preserve the language and culture and to win a wider acceptance for this unique aspect of Louisiana's--and indeed the United States'--heritage.
