Conversational Cajun French I (French and English Edition) [Paperback]

Randall P. Whatley (Author), Harry Jannise (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 30, 1982 | ISBN-10: 0882893165 | ISBN-13: 978-0882893167

MAIS, SA C'EST QUEQUE CHOSE QUAND MEME! Cajun French is still widely heard throughout Louisiana. However, the survival of this language-spoken by the descendants of the exiled Acadians-has by no means been assured (it was even illegal to speak it at one time), and even today the teaching of Cajun French in schools is a controversial issue. Now, the publication of Conversational Cajun French I , the first systematic approach to teaching the language, makes Cajun French accessible to those born outside Cajun families. Authors Randall Whatley and Harry Jannise, Cajuns who speak fluent Cajun French, originally developed this handbook for a series of informal conversational Cajun French classes for the LSU Union in Baton Rouge. As an introduction to Cajun French, the book is extremely practical. Conversational Cajun French I focuses on everyday words and common phrases that can be understood everywhere the language is spoken, despite the various dialects and subdialects. It teaches the Cajun words for the days and months, holidays, parts of the body, number, clothing, colors, rooms of the house and their furnishings, foods, animals, fruits and vegetables, tools, plants, and trees. In addition, there is a section of useful expressions and a list of traditional Cajun names. Although the book is designed to be used in conjunction with tapes,* a pronunciation guide enables even the beginning student working alone to learn enough to converse with Cajuns or at least enough to stay out of trouble in South Louisiana. Conversational Cajun French I is an important book not only because it provides a means for those trying to learn Cajun French on their own, but also because it marks an effort to preserve the Cajun French language and culture and to win a wider acceptance for this unique aspect of Louisiana's-and indeed the United States'-heritage. Also available on audiocassette.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Authors Randall P. Whatley and Harry Jannise, Cajuns who speak fluent Cajun French, originally developed this handbook for a series of informal conversational Cajun French classes for the LSU Union in Baton Rouge.

Product Details

• Paperback: 80 pages
• Publisher: Pelican Publishing (January 30, 1982)
• Language: French, English
• ISBN-10: 0882893165
• ISBN-13: 978-0882893167
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,003,260 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Guide, March 16, 2006

By 

Cori "Louisiana Proud" (Southeast Louisiana) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Conversational Cajun French I (French and English Edition) (Paperback)

Excellent for those with some knowledge of Cajun already as well as those who want to learn. Very easy to follow. Suggest the audio to go with the book

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Conversational Cajun French, November 17, 2007

By 

John E. Broussard (Lake Charles, LA USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Conversational Cajun French I (French and English Edition) (Paperback)

Je suis Cadien. I have been learning Cajun French since the age of 4, I am now 50. I have many books, the definitive Cajun books are by Monsignor Daigle, a priest in my wife's hometown of Welsh, LA. However, this is a nice addition.

7 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars I'm Cajun, NOT Creole, January 30, 2009

By 

Monica (South Louisiana) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Conversational Cajun French I (French and English Edition) (Paperback)

This book might pass as fiction (if you are willing to suspend all belief). I was born, raised, left and came back to South Louisiana. Creole is half black and half Spanish. Cajuns do not refer to themselves as Creoles, and the Cajuns I know are mostly well off. Puplic Schools, the oil industry, and television have not destroyed us. In my hometown, the morning and evening news (on radio and television) is still broadcasted in Cajun French. The research for this book left a lot to be desired. If you want to know about Cajuns, don't believe what you read in this book. The pronuncations are the only factual parts of the book. I found this book in the file cabinet in a high school library. I only kept reading it out of utter disbelief of the written words. This book gets one star because zero stars wasn't an option.