This is a great site
Thanks for creating this site. I think it's a great way for young people to learn more about the culture.
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En Creole
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En Creole Days of the Week
En Creole Phrases
En Creole Songs
En Créole
Creole n. kreyòl | Louisiana Creole gonbo, kourivini, patwa | non-Creole angleOf the many unique traditions of Pointe Coupée Parish, Louisiana, the Créole patois (pat wah) is on the top of the list! For well over two hundred fifty years, this dialect had been spoken by many people in the parish.
Language is a very important part of culture. If it is lost, we will forever lose a piece of the history of our people and place. Today, some residents in the parish still speak Créole. An effort to preserve and revive the language is in place. To help preserve and revive the Créole patois, we feature many words and phrases spoken by our ancestors and even still today. You will be surprised when you find some of these are familiar to you!
Please join the En Créole Forum where you can discuss aspects of the language and speak together, keeping this unique facet of the culture alive!
En Creole Words
En Creole Numbers
En Creole Months
En Creole Days of the Week
En Creole Phrases
For further Pointe Coupée Créole words or phrases see: (1) Albert Valdman, Thomas A. Klingler, et al., Dictionary of Louisiana Creole. (Bloomington: Indiana University Press,1998) ; AND, (2) Thomas A. Klingler. If I Could Turn My Tongue Like That: The Creole Language of Pointe Coupee Parish, Louisiana. (Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, 2003.) En Creole Songs
Koman Sa VaLes Créoles de Pointe Coupée organized in 2000 to preserve and revivie the Louisiana Creole patois spoken by their ancestors. Listen to an original song they sing at their meetings.
Koman Sa Va (How is it going?)
Copyright © 2000 Mary V. Jackson. All rights reserved
Creole Wake Song
During his field study in New Roads, LA, Thomas Klingler, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Tulane University, recorded Pointe Coupéean Mabel Battley singing a Louisiana Creole wake song.
Traditionally, it was common to hold a wake (veillée) when someone died. These were typically held at the home of the deceased, where friends and relatives would gather and remain late into the night, drinking coffee and singing songs.
Listen to Miss Mabel while she sings A Creole Wake Song
Creole lyrics
Zadyè jadyè chèr sèr--Zadyè jadyè chèr sèr
No senyèr m a di, ye
Il ora pitchye de nou, Moman
Mòman il e mò.
Mòman, Mòman il e mò
No senyèr m a di, ye
Il ora pitchye de noun, zadye
Zadye chèr frè.
Jadyè jadyè chèr frèr
No senyèr m a di
Il ora pitchye de noun.
(Now I am gettig kind of tired)
English translation
Good-bye, good-bye dear Sister--That's 'Good-bye, Sister'
Good-bye, good-bye dear Sister
Our Lord told me
He will have pity on us, Mother
Mother he (she?) is dead.
Mother, mother he is dead
Our Lord told me
He will have pity on us, good-bye
Good-bye dear Brother.
Good-bye, good-bye dear Bother
Our Lord told me
He will have pity on us.
(Now I'm getting kind of tired.)
transcribed and translated by Thomas Klingler, Ph.D.