essay

Language and ethnic identity in south Louisiana: implications of data from Mamou Prairie

quebec and acadian diaspora in north america • Toronto, Ont. • Published In 1982 • Pages: 39-64

By: Gold, Gerald L..

Abstract

This is an analysis of French language use in a single sub-region of Louisiana -- Mamou Prairie. A basic finding of the research indicates that language and ethnic identity in Mamou Prairie are more closely tied to regional changes in occupational structure and the prevailing economy than to state-wide or national changes affecting all of 'French Louisiana.' Gold points out, however, that neither local nor national influences have affected the use of the French language in Mamou Prairie in a linear or uniform manner. Technological change, public education in the English language, and television, all have negative effects on the generational transmission of French, but assimilation rates, based on census data generalizations, and exogamy are not sufficient by themselves to account for the tenacity of French within certain sectors of the population, or for that matter in shifts that are made in language use within the life-cycles of individuals (p. 40).

HRAF PubDate

1995

Region

North America

Sub Region

Regional, Ethnic and Diaspora Cultures

Document Type

essay

Evaluation

Creator Type

Ethnologist

Document Rating

5: Excellent Primary Data

Analyst

John Beierle, 1993

Field Date

1975-1980 (p.61)

Coverage Date

not specified

Coverage Place

Mamou Prairie, Louisiana, United States

Notes

Gerald L. Gold

Includes bibliographical references

LCSH

Cajuns