Cajun Vernacular English: phonology Conclusion

The birth of CajVE occurred less than a hundred years ago; in that time it developed into a quite distinctive vernacular, came very close to dying and was reborn. In fact, without its rebirth in recent times, we may well have failed to notice the birth at all. We would have said it was just the way people who learn English as a second language speak. Like so many varieties of accented English, it is not expected to be passed on to subsequent generations. The story of the fate of the languages of the Cajun people mirrors their history and the comings and goings of both Cajun French and Cajun English are intimately connected to the social and economic buffeting of the Cajun community since the 1920s. Capturing CajVE in speech and writing is part of the rebirth process.