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A group of folks meet once a month at the Cut Off Library to keep the roots of the French culture in this area alive.
The members meet and discuss the memories they have of their families speaking French, speaking in their native tongue.
Some of the members’ roots go back to the Cajun French culture, like 15 year member A.J. LeBlanc whose family moved from France to Novascotia in 1623 and then eventually finding their way to South Louisiana, specifically the Raceland area in 1785.
“French was the greatest gift ever given to me,” LeBlanc said. “When I went to school, it was like living in France because we did not speak English. We all spoke French.”
LeBlanc believes everyone should strive to have a second language because of how much smaller the world has become.
“When I came out of high school, I did not need a second language. Everybody is global now. When you come out of college, you better know about two or three languages,” he said.
Although LeBlanc takes pride in the French language, he described one of the group members as a “true professional.”
Geraldine Bremond moved to the United States from France with her husband and son two years ago and quickly discovered a common bond between her family and people from the south, the French language. That made the transition easier for the Bremond.
“We did not have any problem when we arrived. People are accepting because a lot of their grandparents speak French,” she said. “There are people who have stopped me at the store who have said, ‘Oh you speak French; I love the language. I speak a little.’ So there is a connection.”
Bremond can speak English in addition to her native language after taking classes in middle school, high school and in university.
“When we come here, we are suppose to know a little bit about English,” she said.
She was quick to point out that she doesn’t understand nearly as well as her son does.
“We have been living here for two years now and came directly from France. My son talks very good English, better than me.”
Bremond added with a laugh, “I am very disappointed.”
She joined the group with the hope of educating people on the language so it stays alive in South Louisiana.
“I try to communicate with parents because I feel like they need to learn and keep this language. Sometimes I think they feel regrets because they did not learn the French language,” Bremond said. “We want kids to have a connection because a lot of times, grandparents speak French.”
To join, call the Cut Off branch at 985-632-7140.
Geraldine Bremond and Melvina and Numa Breaux celebrate their French heritages as part of the La Table Francaise where the members meet once a month at the Cut Off Library.
