French, Cajun
A language of United States
| Population | 17,200 (2000 census), decreasing. |
| Region | Southern Louisiana west of the Mississippi as far north as Avoyelles, Evangeline, Allen, and Calcasieu parishes. |
| Language map |
Southeastern United States of America |
| Alternate names | Acadian, Cadien, Cajan, Cajun, Français Acadien |
| Dialects | Marsh French, Prairie French, Big Woods French. Ancestors came from French Canada in the 18th century. Reportedly Cajun speakers can partially understand Standard French. Different from the variety of ‘Broken French’ used by 8,000 African Americans, or ‘Napoleanic Era French’. |
| Classification | Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Gallo-Romance, Gallo-Rhaetian, Oïl, French |
| Language use | Mainly older adults. Also use English. |
| Language development | Literacy rate in L2: 60% English, 0% French. Radio programs. Dictionary. Grammar. |
| Comments | Textbooks on Cajun, translations of some classics. Fishermen; fur trappers. Christian. |
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