This blog has covered a number of endangered languages since its inception. Most of these languages have been spoken in other parts of the world, but endangered languages very much exist in the United States. The subject matter of this post is on one such endangered language: Louisiana Creole.
Louisiana Creole developed over three centuries through contacts among West African slaves, French speaking plantation owners in colonial Louisiana, as well as Spanish speakers and American Indians. Louisiana Creole borrows much of its vocabulary from French but its grammar from West African languages. It developed out of a need for enslaved Blacks and white Franco-phones to communicate, starting first as a pidgin and later as a true creole language as it was passed down through the generations.
It is historically known as the language of enslaved Blacks, but it was widely spoken among free Blacks. Unfortunately, the social climates both in the past and today discourage the use of Louisiana Creole. It has and continues to be stigmatized in part from its history and association with slavery and Black populations. During the French and later the American occupation of the region Louisiana Creole was labeled a dirty version of French, making it an informal and unfavorable language, and today this language continues to be stigmatized as a language of the poor and uneducated.
As result this language is considered critically endangered as new generations are not learning the language and it is not widely spoken daily. It continues to live on in certain cultural traditions, such as the Zydeco music tradition. While language revitalization and preservation efforts are ongoing throughout Louisiana these have focused on European language dominated creoles, thereby neglecting Louisiana Creole. Individual efforts to preserve this language are ongoing, so there is still hope in preserving this language.
Bibliography
Shahyd, K. (2017, December 23). Black Languages Matter: Louisiana Creole is Critically Endangered . Retrieved from LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/black-languages-matter-louisiana-creole-critically-khalil-shahyd/
Unknown. (2019, May 19). Black Creoles of Louisiana - Orientation . Retrieved from Every Culture: https://www.everyculture.com/North-America/Black-Creoles-of-Louisiana-Orientation.html
Webmaster. (n.d.). The Origins of Louisiana Creole. Retrieved from French Creoles: http://www.frenchcreoles.com/Language/originsoflouisianacreole/originsoflouisianacreole.htm
5 comments:
I never knew how complex Louisana creole was and that's probably due to its stigmatization. I do however know that there are still reminites of the language today. With NOLA culture being so widespread(due to the great migration) I still recognize some french cognates in AAVE. For example, buku(beaucoup) is still used and understood.
Louisiana Creole evolved over three centuries as a result of interactions between West African slaves, French-speaking plantation owners, Spanish speakers, and American Indians in colonial Louisiana. The lexicon of Louisiana Creole is heavily influenced by French, but its grammar is influenced by West African languages. It arose from the need for enslaved Blacks and white Francophones to communicate, beginning as a pidgin and then evolving into a full creole language as it was passed down down the generations.-FE
The language Louisiana Creole was passed down through generation but I wonder if the thought of parents finding out that the language is associated with poor and uneducated they did not want their children to grow up since they were mainly in the United States with many other and primary languages. If people knew how it was said I am sure people would be willing to learn.
Qwynn Marquez
Louisiana Creole was a language created for the communication of enslaved Blacks and white Francophones. Without the creation of the Louisiana Creole language the communication between the two groups would have been harder. It is very judgmental to say that this language is for the poor and uneducated. I think that this language should be continuing to be spoke and to be taught to others, so that the language does not go extinct.
McKenzie Williams
By tracing the origins of Louisiana Creole back over three centuries to the interactions between various cultural and linguistic groups, the piece skillfully conveys the rich historical background of the language. It underscores the language's eclectic roots by showcasing the contributions of American Indians, French plantation owners, Spanish speakers, and West African slaves. By demonstrating how Louisiana Creole developed as a result of linguistic and cultural exchanges between various groups, the piece provides insight into the language's evolution. The fact that West African and French vocabulary and grammar have been appropriated highlights how dynamic Creole languages are and how easily they may change and adapt over time.
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