Our language and accents in South Louisiana are as unique as it gets in any part of America. Our particular French dialect has a history that is colored with both pride and shame. I'll write more about it in the future, but for now, I thought I'd stick to some of the things that make us smile.
Cajun Mini Translator
"Cajun Term" = "English Term"
"Ax" or "Axe" = "Ask"
"Cher" = "Dear" (Term of endearment)
"Couyon" or "Couillon" = "Crazy"
"Dat" = "That"
"Da" = "The"
"Dem" = "Them"
"Dere" = "There"
"Deir" = "Their"
"Dese" = "These"
"Dey" = "They"
"Fren" = "Friend"
"Dis" = "This"
"Mais" = "Well"
"Tink" = "Think"
"Wit" = "With"
"Y'all" = "you all" or "everybody" or "you guys"
"Yea" = "Yes"
"Zink" = "Sink"
"Liberry" = "Library"
"Bawl" = "Boil"
"Batroom" = "Bathroom"
Cajun Phrase Interpreter
"phonetic spelling" = "English meaning"
"sa say bon" = "that is good"
"veri close vens" = "varicose veins"
"eh ha" = "hopeless" or "look out"
"jeet" = "did you eat" (all over The South)
"step ins" or "pontlett" = panty
"mad see boo coo" = "thank you very much"
"tet dju" = "hard head" or "stubborn"
"momp tsee" = "my little one"
"fa tru" = "is that true" (mostly New Orleans)
"get down" = "exit the vehicle"
"hose pipe" = "water hose"
"dat way" = "that direction"
"save da dishes" = "put away the dishes"
"save da clothes" = "fold and store the clothes"
"make groceries" = "grocery shopping"
(mostly New Orleans)
The Cajun Language
Roger Paul