Creole Explained

Creole Explained

By Marc L.Society & Culture
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Creole Explained episodes

  • Did Your Family Really Speak French? Or Did They Just Think They Spoke French?

    In this episode:

    1. I discuss the complex linguistic context of Louisiana. In Louisiana, there are two languages that currently exist: Louisiana Regional French and Louisiana Creole. The lines are often blurred between the two languages.
    2. To further complicate things, many Creoles actually do not speak Creole, rather they speak something similar to Cajun French. Similarly, many Cajun-identifying Louisianans actually speak Creole and not Cajun French.
    3. I also explore why, unlike in many other Creole-speaking areas, there are so many white creoles in Louisiana. In a one study, 25% of Creole-speakers surveyed were white (Vladman & Klinger, 1997).
    4. Lastly, I share an audio clip of Laura melançon speaking Louisiana Creole. She explains that she grew up Creole, and that her husband always would make her speak "the only way" (Louisiana Creole Woman speaking Creole French*, Louisiana French Channel, Youtube).


      5. *= I consider Creole French to be a misnomer. Louisiana Creole is the appropriate, contemporary term to refer to the language. Creole French implies that it's a type of French, which is linguistically false. French Creole is ok, as this would mean that is a French-based or French-lexified creole language (which is accurate for the linguistic variety to which we are referring here).



      30 min
    6. Introductions

      Hi, everyone! This is Marc of Creole Explained on Youtube. I figured I wanted to do the podcast-style a bit more, because it is easier for me and perhaps for you all as listeners. Here I discuss some of the goals of this podcast.


      7 min

    About Creole Explained

    From the publisher's feed

    This podcast will discuss genealogy, linguistics, and history within the Creolophone world.