BEGINNERS LOUISIANA FRENCH, Lesson 1

Summary

In this engaging introductory Louisiana French class, the instructor guides beginners through key greetings, phrases, and cultural insights. Emphasizing that Louisiana French is a legitimate dialect, the lesson covers expressions like 'Bonjour,' 'Como Sava,' and unique regional phrases such as 'Quasidi' and 'Kamal Hasan.' The instructor encourages interactive participation, explaining that Louisiana French is distinct yet closely tied to other French dialects. Students also learn how to express gratitude, ask questions, and engage in casual conversation. The session combines language learning with fun, offering practical phrases for everyday use.

Takeaways

• 😀 Louisiana French is a variety of French, not a broken or hybrid form, similar to regional dialects in other languages.
• 😀 The term 'Louisiana French' is more inclusive than 'Cajun French' as it also covers speakers from other cultural backgrounds like Creoles and Native Americans.
• 😀 Common greetings include 'Bonjour' (hello), 'Ça va?' (how's it going?), and 'Qu'est-ce qu'il y a?' (what's happening?).
• 😀 'Mais' can mean both 'well' and 'but', and it is used in different expressions like 'Mais c'est bon' (well, that's good).
• 😀 To ask 'how do you say [word] in French?', say 'Comment dit-on [word] ?'.
• 😀 'Corny pop' is how you say 'I don't know' in Louisiana French, often accompanied by gestures.
• 😀 'Saba' is an informal way to ask 'how are you?' or 'how's it going?', with the response often being 'ça va'.
• 😀 Some common Louisiana responses to greetings are 'Ça va bien' (I'm doing well), 'Ça va beaucoup' (I'm doing a lot), and 'Ça va comme ci, comme ça' (so-so).
• 😀 'Merci beaucoup' means 'thank you very much' and can be responded to with 'De rien' (you're welcome) or 'Pas de quoi' (it's nothing).
• 😀 Louisiana French includes playful and unique phrases like 'Qu'est-ce que c'est?' (what's up?) and 'Comment ça plumer?' (how's the feather plucking?), adding character to the language.
• 😀 The speaker invites viewers to reach out for documents used in the class and encourages them to keep learning Louisiana French.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video script?

The main topic of the video is an introductory lesson on Louisiana French, also known as Cajun French, specifically for beginners.

Why does the instructor use the term 'Louisiana French' instead of 'Cajun French'?

The instructor uses the term 'Louisiana French' to be more inclusive, as there are people in Louisiana who speak a similar variety of French but do not identify as Cajun, including Creole and Native American groups.

How does the instructor define Louisiana French?

Louisiana French is defined as a variety or dialect of French, not a broken or hybrid version. It shares similarities with other forms of French like those from France, Quebec, or Belgium, but it also has its unique characteristics.

What is the meaning of the word 'Bonjour' in Louisiana French?

'Bonjour' in Louisiana French is used to say 'hi' or 'hello'. It can also mean 'good morning' or 'good evening', depending on the context.

What is the word 'Shacha' used for in Louisiana French?

'Shacha' is a term of endearment in Louisiana French. It can be used as an adjective or a noun, similar to calling someone 'dear' or 'sweetheart' in English.

What is the meaning of 'Mei' in Louisiana French?

'Mei' in Louisiana French means 'well' or 'but'. It is used in various expressions to indicate agreement, like saying 'that's good' or 'that's crazy'.

How do you ask 'How do you say ___ in French?' in Louisiana French?

To ask 'How do you say ___ in French?', you would say 'Come on, Judy?' followed by the word in English, and then figure out its Louisiana French equivalent.

What is the expression 'Comme Sava' used for in Louisiana French?

'Comme Sava' is a greeting used to ask 'How is it going?' or 'How are you doing?' The typical response is 'Sava' or 'Sava bien', meaning 'It's going well'.

How do people say goodbye in Louisiana French?

In Louisiana French, people commonly say 'Au revoir' or simply 'Bye-bye'. Other expressions like 'Bonne journée' (have a good day) or 'A la prochaine' (until next time) are also used.

What is the meaning of the phrase 'Qu'est-ce qu'il y a' in Louisiana French?

'Qu'est-ce qu'il y a' (pronounced 'kwah-see-kee-yah') is used to ask 'What's going on?' or 'What's happening?'. It is a casual way to check in with someone.