Access to French Education and Attitudes toward International French and Cajun French among South Louisiana High School Students

In South Louisiana, where the local French dialect, commonly known as Cajun French, has long been in decline, young people may still encounter this variety of French in their communities while learning International (or Standard) French at school. This study examines South Louisiana high school students’ access to and attitudes toward International French and Cajun French in education and in family or community settings. Results are analyzed in relation to student self-identification; students who identify as Cajun are compared to those who do not in an analysis of several questionnaire items that address these two varieties of French.