Language in Louisiana: Community and Culture

Language in Louisiana: Community and Culture explores the state's multilingual heritage, including indigenous languages, French varieties, English dialects, and the experiences of recent immigrants. The book highlights the importance of language in shaping Louisiana's community and culture.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 312 pages
\n Publication date: 30 August 2019
\n Publisher: University Press of Mississippi
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Louisiana is often portrayed as a stronghold of French culture and language in an otherwise English-speaking environment. However, the state's history is far more diverse and multilingual. From the numerous indigenous languages spoken at the time of European contact to the introduction of African and European languages during the colonial period, and the recent influx of English and new immigrant populations, Louisiana has always been a melting pot of languages.

Language in Louisiana: Community and Culture, a groundbreaking collection of essays by scholars and community activists, delves into the state of languages and linguistic research in the region. With sixteen chapters, the authors explore a wide range of topics, including indigenous language documentation and revival, variations in attitudes towards and educational opportunities in Louisiana's French varieties, current research on rural and urban dialects of English, both in south Louisiana and in the historically neglected northern parishes, and the challenges faced by recent immigrants in maintaining their heritage languages and navigating language-based regulations in public spaces.

This comprehensive volume offers valuable insights into the linguistic landscape of Louisiana, shedding light on the complex interplay between language, culture, and community. It will appeal to scholars, researchers, educators, and anyone interested in understanding the rich linguistic heritage and dynamics of this unique state.

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Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781496823878\n \n