re: Cajun folk, riddle me this

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If you speak English as your native language, the following list will be very helpful to you, in beginning to understand the way Cajuns pronounce words. Read the following names as you would in English: Matthew, Lydia, Raphael, Alida, Richard, Granger, Hollier, Hebert,

Cajuns pronounce these names:

Matthew- Ma-chew

Lydia- Lay-ja

Raphael- Ray-feel

Alida- Ah-lee-da

Richard- Re-shard

Granger- Gron-jay

Hollier- Ol-yay

Hebert- A-bear

English usually puts the emphasis on the beginning syllable, while French puts in on the last. In Cajun English, we tend to emphasize the last syllable, as in French, which often makes our speech difficult to understand until outsiders listen carefully.

Idioms

Idioms are expressions which, if taken literally, usually don't make much sense. In English there is the expression "it's raining cats and dogs" meaning "it's raining very hard". Like societies throughout the world, Acadiana has it's own share of these phrases. Here are some you may hear:

If you are riding in a car with a Cajun, they may ask you, "You wanna get down with me?" when you park somewhere. This means, "Do you want to get out of the car and come in with me?"

If you are working with a Cajun, they may ask you to "save" something; usually this means to put that thing away. (Unless of course, it's obvious that something is in need of actual saving. i.e.- a kitten is about to run into the road.)

Cajuns and Creoles both will say they are going to "make groceries," rather than saying "buy groceries".

"I'm Patton's (pronounced pah-tan-s) duck" means that they are not particular, or don't have a preference of the options available.

"It gave me the frissons" means "It gave me the chills" or "It made me shiver". People who have involuntary muscle spasms, will also dismiss it saying, "I just caught a frisson."

"Pass a good time" means to have fun.

"'Gardes don" (pronounced gahd-A daw(n)) means "look at that".

"My foot" (or "hand" or "head" etc.) is kind of the Cajun version of "Whatever!"

"Mais, J'mais!" is the Cajun equivalent of "But I never!"

Cajun OnStar - (Did I mention that Cajuns like to pick?)

Cajuns love to joke, and will often make themselves look foolish to play with people and see how long they can be strung along.

video

Syntax

(Definition: what da pries give ya afta confession)

Okay, that's an old joke. For those of you who don't know what "syntax" means, it is "the way that a sentence is arranged". For the most part, Cajuns speak English in the traditional English/American syntax. There are some ways that Cajun English is unique, though.

When a Cajun is trying to emphasize an affirmative or negative sentence, they will often revert to French syntax. "No, I didn't do that!" becomes "I didn't do that, No!" One of the sweetest ways a Cajun man can express his affections is to say, "I love you, yeah."

We will also add directional pronouns to add emphasize. "Me, I don't have any, no."

Rather than saying "a lot" or "very" Cajuns will often double an adjective. "Don't drink that yet; it's hot hot!" "Have you seen Greg's new truck? It's big big!"

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