Cajun Visits

[fngrpkn06]

Most enjoyable and entertaining.

[guantamanera]

The only reason Cajun French is dying in the USA is because of the stupid xenophobia that exists in the USA. Lucky is almost the same as Acadien.

[DerLaesterer]

@guantamanera

Your statement makes no sense, Cajuns are not xeno in the states. The death of the language is due to it not being taught to or used by newer generations, which most likely has to do with the fact that it is a language that is spoken only by a select group of people.

[Missyshubby]

@DerLaesterer You are incorrect. In the 30's 40's and 50's, Cajun children were punished for speaking French in school. There were sayings that compared "coon-asses" to "sandblasted n%%&*gers," and open discrimination against Cajuns in hiring and in housing. Plus they were Catholic! There was a systematic effort to kill Cajun French. Cajuns are not xeno now, but they were at one time. Now, there is an effort to save the language, but it is probably too late.

[MercuryWahWah]

Canjuns originated from Nova Scotia. The Acadian Expulsion. Not a chance in hell this is a dying culture here. Not a chance.

[raginroadrunner]

Awesome...RR

[guymelanson]

Je suit un Acadien, nee en Nova Scotia, Je comprends bien ce language. They tried to assimilate us. Thank Goodness there is a new movement to preserve our roots.

[steviehyperS98]

what is the name of the last song?

[bonmodee]

J'apprends. Les vieux gens n'ont pas voulu nous savoir qu'ils parlaient de.

[pafbs]

If nobody speaks french anymore in cajun country then there are no more cajuns. Sorry guys, but you dropped the ball. Don't blame it on anybody but youselves.

[Chaduke]

@pafbs My parents were beaten for speaking French in school. There was a strong effort to stamp it out at one point. When I was growing up children would get teased if they spoke with too much of a French accent.  Despite this, the culture survived and is still very much alive, in fact there's a strong resurgence happening right now. Language alone does not compose an entire culture.

[Stingray8854]

@pafbs Who says nobody speaks French anymore? I'm a Cajun and I speak some, as do many people around here in Cajun country. Just what makes you qualified to make such a statement? Have you ever been to south Louisiana? You don't have a clue what you're talking about.

[Sapeur466]

C'est dommage que les Américains anglophones n'ont pas su protéger ce joyau sur leur territoire qu'est le francais cajun.

Un Québécois

[PhilFilth]

Malheureusement this french is almost lost today. This video is old but only few people are still speaking fluent Cajun as their first language.

[CHOUCHE4]

the great dennis mac gee...he was incredible!

[subterranean47]

Its so wild seeing southern farmers in overalls speaking french

[ericmower]

@subterranean47 Perhaps your stereotypical view of southern farmers needs retooling?

[subterranean47]

@ericmower doubt it

I was born and raised in Tennessee

Gents like the ones in this video are a rarity even in Louisiana 

[voskresene]

It is cool to hear these guys speaking Cajun French.  It is too bad the language is dying.

[bleachportal4321]

i can only claim to know for certain that the last song on this vid is the hath-a-way two-step cuz i can play it. lol. although not quite as well as it's recorded here lol.

[kll510]

Go watch the whole movie of this. It's amazing.

The musicians being interviewed are: Canray Fontenot, Dennis McGee, Leopold Francois, Robert Jardell, and "Cheese" Wallace Read. The interviewer for Leopold and Robert Jardell is none other than, Dewey Balfa.

[88franz88]

molto bravo

[slb22000]

I'd prefer no translation into English; just caption the Cajun-French words. Also, it'd be helpful to know the names of these musicians. I only recognize Dennis McGee by sight.

Thanks for posting this, though. I will check the link provided.

[deadzep]

when a cajun hears the words sung, they know what the meaning is; shouldn't we be able to as well?

[slb22000]

Sure. How are you at learning Cajun-French? That's what I did. But you're right, for those who don't know and don't plan on learning, it can be good to understand the translation. For me, I just don't like it. I feel like the translation diminishes the song. just my experience

[elkrobber]

Me too, but people who speak no french would probably be irritated by a lack of caiptions.

[Papachulo57]

Love the singing.

[TexanRebel08]

very cool