Let’s talk Yes, really French in Louisiana? Emphasis Yes, really. And with good reason, in Louisiana, Francophonie is often relegated to a distant past—did you say New France? And the media likes to portray this Francophonie as confined to a handful of elderly people nonchalantly rocking in a rocking chair on the porch of their home on the edge of the bayou. We love old people and rocking chairs – and I have a personal passion for the bayou – but let’s just say that this very folksy depiction doesn’t necessarily help to anchor Louisiana’s Francophonie in the 21st century and represent its diversity.

And yet French remains relevant in Louisiana — and it’s not President Macron who will say the opposite. But what is he doing in there? If you follow the news, you will have noticed that his official visit to the United States includes a one-day trip to New Orleans to celebrate, among other things “the French spirit” in Louisiana – after the services of the Élysée. And as a Frenchman living in New Orleans and working alongside the development of Louisiana Francophonie, I cannot resist the pleasure of taking this opportunity to tell you more about this little-known Louisiana Francophonie. So, shall we hop on the presidential plane with our dear President and take a trip to Francophonie Louisiana?

A diverse Francophonie forged through interactions between different communities

Upcoming Landing: Buckle up and prepare for takeoff. Excursion on the streets of Louisiana, meetings with the main French-speaking communities. In the plural because Louisiana-Francophonie is diverse and that is what makes it so charming. First stop: Acadiane in southern Louisiana, also known as “cadian country”. vsThe name is probably familiar to you – and I think you will be even more so if I just say “Cajun” to you.. The Cajuns (or Cajuns, hence) are the descendants of the Acadians – I’m not trying to confuse you, I promise. They arrived in the second half of the 18th century after being forced to flee Canada. From France to Canada, then from Canada to Louisiana (passion journey) they kept their language: French. And this regional variant of French is now known as “Louisiana French”. Singing accent and bonus ‘r’ rolls, all set to a Zydeco tune.

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