Language

 

Louisiana French is a rich tapestry of the French that was spoken in the 18th Century by Acadian and French immigrants and the French and African Creoles who came to Louisiana from the West Indies. Add some Spanish, a few words from the local Native American tribes, a little African vocabulary and some English, and the result is the Louisiana French that is spoken by the majority of Francophones in this state.  As with all living languages that continue to evolve, the accent and expressions of Louisiana French are unique. 

FRENCH LANGUAGE TEACHERS:  Click here to request a French-narrated, 7-minute DVD  about Atchafalaya National Heritage Area.

 

HOw do you Say...?

La cuisine
black-eyed peas ~ des fêves aux coeurs noirs
catfish ~ une barbue
coffee pot ~ une grègue
crab ~ une crabe
eggplant ~ une brème
grits ~ du gru
gumbo ~ un gombo
okra ~ du gombo, du févi
pecan ~ une pacane
popcorn ~ du tac-tac
pot ~ une chaudière
pumpkin ~ un giraumont
shrimp ~ une chevrette
sweet potato ~ une patate douce
Quelques mots
automobile ~ un char
Cajun ~ cadien, cadienne
dollar ~ une piastre
heavy downpour ~ une avalasse
here ~ icitte
now ~ asteur
photograph ~ un portrait
porch ~ une galerie
ready ~ paré
smoke ~ la boucane
zydeco ~ zarico
L’environnement
bald cypress ~ un cipre
cypress swamp ~ une ciprière
Louisiana iris ~ une glaie bleue
marsh ~ un ma”che
water lily ~ une pagogie
Les animaux 
alligator ~ un cocodril
ant ~ une fromille
bass ~ une perche
bullfrog ~ un ouaouaron
mockingbird ~ un moqueur
mosquito ~ un maringouin
raccoon ~ un chaoui
wild rabbit ~ un lapin farouche
Des verbes
to close ~ frêmer
to hear ~ attendre
to hope ~ souhaiter
to rain ~ mouiller
to think ~ jongler
to wait ~ espérer
 
 
For Louisiana’s French history, click here.
For ongoing French tables and classes, click here.
For more information on Louisiana French, visit http://www.codofil.org/ .
 

VISIT THESE Businesses THAT offer Services in French:

 

UPPER ATCHAFALAYA AREA

  • No Listings

 

BETWEEN TWO RIVERS AREA

Baton Rouge
  • Rural Life Museum
  • Magnolia Mound Plantation
  • Maison Lacour French Restaurant
  • Capitol Park Welcome Center
  • State Capitol Welcome Center

 

BAYOU TECHE CORRIDOR AREA

Breaux Bridge
  • Bayou Teche Visitor Center, Bridge St.
Butte La Rose
  • Atchafalaya Welcome Center, 1908 Atchafalaya River Hwy.
Eunice
  • Jean Lafitte National Historical Park – Prairie Acadian Cultural Center
Henderson
  • McGee’s Landing, 1337 Henderson Levee Road
Lafayette
New Iberia 
  • Iberia Parish Convention & Visitors Bureau
  • Jungle Gardens of Avery Island
  • KONRIKO® Company Store/Conrad Rice Mill
  • McIlhenny Company TABASCO® Factory & Country Store
  • Jeanerette Sugar Museum
  • Rip Van Winkle Gardens of Jefferson Island
  • Shadows-on-the-Teche
  • Bayou Teche Museum

 

St. Martinville
  • LeBlanc Swamp Tours, 4939 Main Hwy.
  • St. Martinville Tourism Center & Acadian Memorial, 121 New Market St.

 

 

COASTAL ZONE AREA

Pierre Part
  • Templet’s Market & Grocery 3602 Hwy. 70 South
  • D & M Seafood   4030 Hwy. 70 South