Cajun French Words That Are Disappearing

Lafayette, Louisiana (KMDL) - In Louisiana, culture is everything.

Growing up here is one of the most unique cultural experiences someone can experience.

From our rich Cajun and Creole traditions, our world-famous cuisine, local legends, to the way talk, Louisiana is truly unlike any other state in America.

As strong as the bond to our Cajun roots might be, some of our unique traditions continue to fade generation after generation.

One cultural tradition that continues to slowly fade over time is our Cajun French language.

While still somewhat frequently spoken across Acadiana, there are some Cajun French words and phrases that were common just a few generations ago that have begun to disappear.

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Is Cajun French A Dying Language?

The short answer is unfortunately yes, Cajun French is considered to be an endangered language.

In the 1960s in Louisiana, it's estimated there were about 1 million French and Cajun French speakers.

Today, those numbers are drastically lower.

From Wikipedia -

"The United States Census' 2007 American Community Survey estimated that 3.5% of Louisianans over the age of 5 spoke French or a French-based Creole at home. As of 2023, The Advocate roughly estimated that there were 120,000 French speakers in Louisiana, including about 20,000 Cajun French

Some of the Acadiana parishes register francophone populations of 10% or more of the total, with a select few (such as Vermilion, Evangeline and St. Martin Parishes) exceeding 15%."

In daily conversations around Acadiana, you'll commonly hear Cajun French words like "Mai Las", "Couillon", or "C'est Bon", but there are some words that you probably grew up hearing your grandparents say you rarely hear said anymore.

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Louisiana's Cajun French Words That are Disappearing

Thankfully in Acadiana, we have organizations like CODOFIL, French Immersion programs, and Festivals Acadiens et Créoles to help keep our Cajun French language and culture alive.

As valiant as these efforts are, there are still some Cajun French words and phrases that are slowly disappearing.

Let's take a look at some of these words that are fading, and with them, a little piece of who we are.

1. Mange donc! - "Eat, go on and eat!"

Urging someone to eat more, most commonly said at family meals.

2. Z’haricots - "Beans"

3. Ti monde - “Ti” is a contraction of petit (small)

4. Gros bec - "Big Kiss"

Term of endearment; often used for kids or significant others.

Festivals Acadiens et Creoles

5. Passe un bon temps - "Have a good time"

From “laissez les bons temps rouler”

6. Char - "Car"