Creole Patois

Créole Patois

There is a dialect (unique language) of Pointe Coupée Parish called a Créole patois (pat wah). It dates back to early French colonial history when the Native people, French-Europeans and African slaves all began to talk with one another. Some early explorers and priests were very fluent in Native languages. After the official colonization of Louisiana and the blending of the three peoples - native, Franco-European and African, a unique language for communication began.

Today, an organization in the parish, Les Créoles de Pointe Coupée, has evening group classes on the Créole patois. These classes are for everyone of all generations. This language is a very important part of Pointe Coupée's unique culture. We encourage everyone to learn some phrases and words that were our ancestors, so we can keep this language alive for generations to come!

For further research, please see: Thomas A. Klinger's books: Dictionary Of Louisiana Creole; AND If I Could Turn My Tongue Like That: The Creole Language of Pointe Coupee Parish, Louisiana.

Do you know anyone who can speak Créole? Pointe Coupée Parish middle school students will be working on a community oral history project; interested in recording Créole patois of Pointe Coupéeans. If you would like to participate, please go to Oral History Project and let us know how to contact you.