Customer Reviews

Cajun Self-Taught

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Probably the most important feature of this book is its existence - without the work of people like Rev. Daigle Cajun French might die out entirely. That said I'm not sure that I entirely agree with all of the good father's opinions, starting with his decision to call the language Cajun rather than Cajun French. I've known my share of Cajuns that failed French at LSU but I suspect that's because they were taking it in an attempt to get out having to study a foreign language and consequently didn't put much effort into their studies. Many, if not most, of the differences in grammar and pronunciation with standard French that Father Daigle points out are common features of spoken colloquial French in France today, particularly among rural people in the parts of France where Cajuns originate. The biggest difference between the languages is in vocabulary and as Father Daigle points out, this is a natural outgrowth of over two centuries of life in Louisiana separated from standard French and being surrounded by an English speaking country. The fact that Cajuns speak of "les pickup-trucks" and such is not sufficient to constitute a separate language. Placed in a room together, a Cajun and a Frenchman will quickly figure out how to communicate and where they have difficulties it will most likely be because of differences in American and French culture rather than the language. My father can relate a story of a French engineer from the utility company in Paris arriving in New Orleans for a conference. She was able to converse quite freely in French with the Cajun engineer who picked her up at the airport although they used English to conduct business, as the Cajun engineer did not know the "correct" French electrical engineering terminology.

With that said, I feel that if you speak Cajun French then you probably don't need the book (although the dictionary might be useful) and unless you live down in Cajun country or can study Cajun French at LSU or one of the other universities in Louisiana that offer it, it would be best to study standard French first and then use the book to see what the differences are. This book simply doesn't constitute a language course either alone or with the dictionary and tapes and there just aren't enough resources available to make the study of Cajun French practical without resorting to some standard French references.

My first impression of this book was about its size. It is big, REALLY BIG. I mean in physical size. You are not going to be able to throw this book into your backpack and carry it with you as you travel. There will be no pulling it out to read on the train or in bed before going to sleep (unless you want to use it as pillow). Currently it is the biggest book I own. Keep in mind that I don't think the size is a bad think, just an inconvenient thing.

This book assumes that the reader is somewhat already familiar with Cajun French. The author goes a long way in trying to get the point accross to the reader that there is nothing wrong with Cajun French. This is likely a response to the U.S. government's policy of trying to prevent the use of French in Louisiana that continues to this day. It is also likely a response to many of the French speakers who attempt to constantly correct Louisiana French speakers in grammar and speach. Rev. Daigle takes the possition that there is nothing wrong with the way Louisiana French is used in Louisiana if communication is taking place. If French people from France don't think it is correct "French" then it must instead be a New Language. The book looks to Louisiana French speakers to be the buyers and promotes itself as the text book they should have learned from in school if it weren't for unjust laws that prevent the teaching of French.
If you don't already know French or do not have access to a primer or grammar text this book would be tough for you. Getting a teacher would help a LOT. The book focusses on the building of vocabulary and idiom usage and doesn't give basic material for complete beginners. The intended audience of this book again are Louisiana French speakers and this book attempts to get them literate and well spoken in a language they already know. One of the best features of this book is the phonic code that shows a lot of work. However, this is yet another English to French phonic system to get to the correct French pronunciation. The tapes that should also be purchased help a great deal to get the hang of the phonic system.

The Cajun French presented in this book is essentially regular French that is intelligible to any other French speakers. This book is a great resource to get into the mood of Cajun French once basic French is achieved. The big lesson to learn from this book is that you shouldn't try to correct Louisiana French speakers or try to stop French from being spoken or they just might start calling their language a new language and not listen to you.

I was so greatful to find a tool that would help me expand my knowledge of my native tongue. This book is easy to comprehend and gives you great information about this beautiful language and culture.

Mama and Daddy sent this book to me for my 40th birthday after I had expressed my desire to learn Cajun French. This was very expensive for them to do but I think it is just as important to them as it is to me, that our culture is preserved through one of the children in our family. This will be a difficult endeavor considering that I live so far away from anyone speaking Cajun French and will have few opportunities to use it except through phone conversations with mama. I do not foresee that I will ever be fluent in the language of my mama's people, but I feel that I at least have to try. Doing this helps me to feel closer to the home I love oh so much and the people I remember for their fun-loving character even under adverse circumstances. The people I grew up around were a very joyful lot and always full of humorous stories and sayings. You could never find a more expressive culture with such pride in their way of life, no matter where you look. The hospitality encountered there is as large as their hearts and expressed in ways that are so much a part of our culture, there is no doubt that it is sincere and ingrained upon birth. As you go through this book, you will realize quickly what I am trying to convey regarding the character, joy and hospitality of my people. Rev Jules O. Daigle captures the escense of the Cajun culture better than any other author ever could. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in this exquisite culture and people.

As a native speaker of the Cajun language, I found this to be very helpful when researching my MA thesis as well as doing personal inquiries. It won't teach you (if you're not a native speaker) the language but it can teach you helpful phrases. It has taught me phrases I forgot and re-taught me words and phrases I mis-learned as a child.

I have really enjoyed reading and learning the language.I would recommend this book to anyone interested. I strongly suggest the audio tapes also.