At the heart of the Cajun culture is a fascinating dialect that has survived the forces of Americanization and is still spoken by over 250,000 residents of Louisiana. With a historical overview and an introduction to the language, this book answers to many common questions about Cajun French. The preface by David Cheramie, executive director of the Council for the Development of French in Louisiana (CODOFIL), offers the viewpoint of an influential leader in the movement to preserve Louisiana"s unique linguistic heritage. --Pronunciation guide --Basic grammar --Frequently asked questions about Cajun French --3,800 dictionary entries --Essential phrases