Working to keep the French language alive in Louisiana

Published 11:21 am Tuesday, January 27, 2026

Preserving the Cajun French language is a critical part of keeping Louisiana’s unique culture alive, according to Chris Thomas.

The Allen Parish native is working with the Allen Parish School Board to help others, especially school-aged children and their families, learn the language.

“The Cajun French culture is a big part of who we are, but the language is lacking here even with the adults,” Thomas said.

He noted that many elders recall a time when French was their primary language, yet they were criticized and discouraged from speaking it at school.

“But we need to be proud,” he said. “This is who we are.”

Today, many have lost the language due to a lack of conversation partners, while those living north of Allen Parish may have never been introduced to it at all.

Thomas credited his own family with teaching him as a child.

“If I didn’t know it, they’d sit me down and teach me how to say it,” he said.

Allen Parish Title One/Family Engagement Coordinator Melody LaFleur also believes it is essential to support efforts to maintain the language for future generations.

“In order for us to keep our culture alive, we must teach others to speak the language of our ancestors,” she said.

LaFleur hopes to eventually integrate the language into the school system’s foreign language curriculum to help students earn scholarships credits. Currently, the district only offers Spanish and American sign language.

The group meets 4:30-5:30 p.m. every Tuesday in the multipurpose room at Oberlin Elementary School. The classes are free and open to the public.

During the weekly sessions participants learn words and phases for everyday use.

“If you don’t practice French, you can’t speak French,” Thomas said. “I hope we practice it more.”

During a recent session, the group learned their numbers, colors, seasons, months, days of the week and time.

“Even though they might hear just one or two words, that’s how you build on speaking French,” Thomas said.

Robin Vizena, a Tennessee native who has lived in Oberlin for 50 years, welcomed the opportunity to learn a second language.

“I’m very excited for Oberlin because this is really great for the community,” she said. “I especially think it is exciting to see the kids learn it.”

Vizena said her sister-in-law speaks some French and is looking forward to their conversation.

“I know I’ll never be fluent, I’m too old for that,” she laughed. “But I appreciate the people putting their time and effort into helping others learn.”

Gary “Pecun” Marcantel, who grew up speaking French in Mamou, recalled the difficulty of transitioning to English after moving to Oberlin, “When I went to the first grade, the teacher chewed my butt out. I knew English, but I couldn’t respond back in it.”

Twelve-year-old Caleb Russum joined the class to better communicate with his grandfather.

Similarly, Kenneth Granger of Soileau hopes to regain the fluency he had as a child in Basile before he was required to speak English at school.

“My parents only spoke French,” he said. “But when I went to school I had to get Americanized and learn to speak English.”

Granger, who hosts a weekly Cajun radio show in Basile, believes “muscle memory” will help him remember what he lost.

“I still struggle with my French sometimes, but it’s going to come back if I practice it,” he said.

Linda Ryder of Oberlin noted that while she doesn’t speak French, her husband, Lee, still speaks it around their children and grandchildren. Like many of his generation, he was once sent home from school because he did not yet know English.

For more information on the classes, contact LaFleur at 337-639-4620.