Requests for new languages/Wikipedia Cajun French

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[edit] Cajun French Wikipedia

Discussion verification final decision This language has been verified as eligible. Although the language is eligible for a project, the community still needs to meet some requirements described in the language proposal policy. In the meantime, you can discuss the creation of this language project on this page. (See an unofficial analysis of this request.) The closing subcommittee member provided the following comment: The language is suitable and the test project has been deemed a success. The only step left before the creation of a Cajun French Wikipedia is the translation of the basic wiki interface; if you'd like to contribute, please see "Localization" on the talk page.--Shanel 18:24, 21 July 2007 (UTC)

"Cajun French" is the name of the language and while its name does imply that it is spoken by Cajuns, one should not forget that it is also spoken by non-Cajuns who were assimilated into Cajun culture. Cajun French is spoken by Cajuns, Creoles, Blacks and American Indians primarily in Louisiana but also throughout the United States and by a few speakers who have moved abroad.

Cajun French is taught at Louisiana State University, University of Louisiana, French Immersion schools, high schools and as local language classes across south Louisiana.

While Cajun French isn't exactly a different language, it does, however, have vocabulary and a somewhat different grammatical style that would normally be edited out of the French Wikipedia due to the unfortunate and incorrect idea that Cajun French is "bad French." This Wikipedia would help speakers of Cajun French write their language without having to worry about it being edited to the point where the language is no longer comprehensible. This would also help Cajun French become a more literary language and possibly help standardize it. JeanVoisin 15:53, 5 June 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Arguments in favor

This project I believe would thrive. There are several organizations in Louisiana wherein Cajun speakers can organize and spead the word of the Cajun project. This language project is needed as many of the topics specific to Louisiana as well as international topics don't translate into standard French very well. It is true that Cajun and standard French speakers can understand each other yet it remains true that their vocabulary is only 60% similar. There is a large set of words that would just not be accepted as part of standard French that are part and parcle of the Cajun language. Some Cajuns can read the standard French site but I would bet the most can't. Verb conjugations are very relaxed in Cajun and sever other structures just don't have the same meaning as standard French. This site would grow pretty fast as speakers of Cajun will probably be able to start pulling information from both the English and French sites borrowing whatever vocabulary from either language as needed. The Cajun Language site would serve a valuable function in Cajun society as a teaching tool, a learning tool of topics and language and as a sort of embassy to those other Francophones that want to come to Louisiana and hear our unique dialect.--Billiot 16:47, 5 June 2007 (UTC)

Support I also believe that this project is greatly needed and well overdue. Amanda LaFleur, professor at LSU and head of the Cajun Studies department says that 80-90% of the words in Cajun French are also found in France. News From France Page 3 "Cajun Dictionary Online" However, she fails to mention that many of the words are only found in the French countryside, they are considered to be outdated and that while the words are the same in Louisiana and France, some of the meanings are totally different. For example: Cajun French: espérer (to wait) / France French: espérer (to hope); Cajun French: attendre (to hear); France French: attendre (to wait), and the list goes on to include such things as place names, verb conjugations, subject pronouns, animals, flora and fauna, etc. These differences can create confusion and therefore, I believe that a Cajun French Wikipedia is needed as it is Wikipedia's goal to provide clear, understandable and precise information to everyone in their own language. JeanVoisin 17:26, 5 June 2007 (UTC)

Support There are four native speakers who are willing to contribute to the project. There are also plenty of external sites that promote the language. --Jose77 09:56, 6 June 2007 (UTC)

Strongly Support Instead of repeating what everyone else has said, I'll just add that a Cajun French Wikipedia would do wonders to help preserve the language while at the same time helping the language grow. There have been many books and college dissertations written about the language, its vocabulary and its grammar. There's a dictionary that was written in the 1980's by Rev. Daigle called A Dictionary of the Cajun Language and there's another dictionary, The Dictionary of Louisiana French: As Spoken in Cajun, Creole and Native American Communities, that's currently in the works which should be published soon. I strongly support this project and I really hope that it will succeed. Lâche pas! RoyAlcatraz 05:19, 7 June 2007 (UTC)

Support There is a common, easily made assumption that Cajun French is not "real" French. This statement is false. Given this premise, it follows that if Cajun French is edited as incorrect on the "referentiel" French site, then there should be another forum in which Cajun French can thrive. Francophones from all over the world come to Louisiana to teach French. This site would not only help disseminate Cajun French amonst a Cajun/Creole population, but it would serve to educate those coming to Louisiana. Through exposure, they can become aware of what a rich and beautiful language Cajun French is, before they even arrive. I fully support this initiative Valblol 10:32, 18 June 2007 (UTC)

Support In Limburg is zelfs 'ne band dae leedjes sjpeelt in 't Cajun Frans. --Ooswesthoesbes 11:59, 25 June 2007 (UTC) Translated: Even in Limburg (the Netherlands) is a band who plays songs in Cajun French.

Support: it seems that the development of this wiki should be “important” and more realistic than some others which were created (I think about arpitan wiki, for example, when, according to my views and some other views, there is no more real franco-provençal speaking community). I don't know how many people use Cajun language, but there are some proofs of a living culture, different from others. Hégésippe | ±Θ± 18:07, 25 June 2007 (UTC)

Support: c'est une langue français dans America. Elle est parler beaucoup. Elle est actuelle. Je pènse que cet Wikipedia est une bonne idée. Olaf Voljavo 17:11, 17 September 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Arguments against

• Cajun French is Endangered. Although the upside is that is considered to be different.

User:CDHgrün 23:21 UTC 68.102.5.92 23:21, 3 March 2008 (UTC)

[edit] General discussion

As the language has passed the discussion stage, it is relevant to get the localisation done. This is with the incubator project a requirement that has to be fulfilled before a real project is considered. GerardM 08:09, 4 March 2008 (UTC)

Currently 42.33% of the MediaWiki messages have been localised. GerardM 20:45, 3 April 2008 (UTC)