COM211X Cultural Reporter Video

Qui C'est q'ca?

Throughout my communication with my Louisianan relatives I have been continually fascinated by the unique dialects present. I have found myself frequently consulting Google to decipher expressions found within their communications. For example "Qui C'est q'ca?", my first encounter with this phrase left me clueless. Upon closer inspection its a derivation of the French expression Qu'est-ce que c'est (Lawless, 2012), meaning, "what is that?". Cajun culture is so steeply rooted in its French ancestry. The term Cajun actually derives from Acadia, the area in Nova Scotia where French immigrants settled in colonial times (New Orleans, 2012). In order to communicate effectively and therefore, competently an adequate knowledge of the cultural and ancestral roots is necessary.

Louisiana has developed from a melting pot of cultures and influences. Understanding the Arcadian Influences therein permits a better literal understanding of communication methods. Peering into the cultural influences at a deeper level provides many explanations for ways of life therein. According to Martin & Nakayama a key component of becoming a competent communicator is knowledge. Knowledge of ones self, cultural identity and experiences can help identify strengths and weakness as a cultural communicator. Knowledge of how others think and communicate can help us become more effective communicators (Martin & Nakayama, 2009).

I have learned through my communications with my Louisianan family members that bridging intercultural divides is a hugely beneficial process. Most areas of the United States are not lucky enough to experience the blend of cultures that are present in the southern portions of the country. The variety serves to enrich their daily lives. In many ways this allows them to intrinsically become better cultural communicators. They don't have the awareness of the variety in culture that surrounds them, but they have a learned ability to accept others because of it. While I was not able to record any videos of my interviews with my relatives I did find a fascinating interview which displays a lot of the variety present with culture.  My experiences have helped me define the meaning of the phrase southern hospitality.

Interview with a Cajun - youtube

Lawless, L. K. 2012.  "What" in French. Retrieved from http://french.about.com/od/mistakes/a/what.htm
Martin, Judith N. & Nakayama, Thomas K. (2009).  Intercultural Communication In Contexts: Fifth Edition. McGraw Hill Companies. pp. 468-472New Orleans. 2012. Cajun  Culture Floats in the City. Retrieved from http://www.neworleansonline.com/neworleans/multicultural/multiculturalhistory/cajun.html

Cajuns, our Canadian Refugees

America is historically described as a land established by immigrants and refugees. It was settled in various areas at various times by the English, Dutch, French and Irish.  Throughout that time period it was often used as a safe haven for those fleeing political or religious persecution. The idea of fruitful land and limitless possibilities served as an attractive lure to many who had never been given such an opportunity. Such is the case for the Acadians a group shuffled to and fro throughout history who eventually found their greener grass in an area of the United States where grass may often not be found at all.

Nova Scotia (courtesy: http://www.canada-maps.org/nova-scotia.htm)

Acadia, which is now modern day Nova Scotia, was originally settled by a small group of French in the mid 1600’s.  They enjoyed their homeland with little interruption until French and Indian war. During the war the British commenced what is known as the Great Expulsion. Many texts describe this as an ethnic cleansing or deportation. The Acadians were either imprisoned or stripped of their homeland by the British in an attempt to usurp the French. (Johnston, 2007)

Many of the Acadians that escaped with their lives fled to what is modern day Louisiana. Over the years the areas settled by the Acadian refuges, now loosely referred to as Acadiana, were also settled by descendants of the original French and Spanish settlers, better known as creoles. (Bernard) This melting pot of cultures and languages has created many interesting and diverse cultures. These cultures have created a wonderfully unique integration of culinary, religion, music and communication known as the Cajun way of life.

Area settled by Acadian refugees shown in red. (courtesy: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Acadiana_Louisiana_region_map.svg)

The language of the Cajun people is one of the more interesting facets of the culture. Much of the original settlers and refuges were francophone’s, but over time the integration of English from settlers and slaves, as well as the Spanish created a new language entirely. Many of the words and expressions used exhibit signs of code switching, or jumping between languages (Judith N Martin), which became rooted within the language. Terms commonly used by the francophone’s or the Spanish become integrated into the typical English speaking language. This adaptation is indicative of the melding of the cultures by the refugees and immigrants as typical with a long term adjustment and assimilation to new cultural society, in effect creating a new cultural identity.

The Acadian people have long been recognized by the surrounding and competing cultures within Louisiana, however in 1980 the government granted recognition of the group as well. In a landmark discrimination case of James Roach v Dresser Industries the 500,000 Acadians still living in the area where granted the status of a National Minority. (Brasseaux, 1987) This judgment culminated the struggle of the Acadian people and their persecution, transition, and evolution to Cajun cultural identity. The development of the now day Cajun culture is a rich story with a great many historical examples of the development and implementation of communication theory.

                                                                                           

Bibliography

Bernard, S. K. (n.d.). Creoles. New Oreleans, LA, USA: KnowLA. Retrieved March 9, 2012, from www.knowla.org

Brasseaux, C. A. (1987). The Found of New Acadia. Lousiana: The Lousiana State University Press.

Johnston, A. (2007). The Acadian Deportation in a Compartive Context: An Introduction. Royal Nova Scotia Historical Society, 10, 114-131.

Judith N Martin, T. K. (n.d.). Intercultural Communication In contexts (5 ed.). New York, New York: McGraw-Hill.

The South.

The South.

Growing up in Omaha, Nebraska is very much the same as growing up in any other Midwestern city. Des Moines, Kansas City, St. Louis, all cities with similar size, geography and cultural heritage. Most of these cities were forged by early settlers in a transition westward. Growth was in large spurred by cheap government land and the impending progress of the rail roads. Names and features in the Great Plains region were driven by the indigenous Native Americans. It is often considered as the standard for which to asses American cultural from accents, to employment, to appetites. 

From my first trip to Louisiana with my parents a child I have found myself fascinated with the cultural and vibrancy present in the southern portion of the United States. The history of the south has shaped the region in a way that leaves no two areas alike. Originally explored by the Spanish in the mid 1500’s it was colonized largely by the French shortly thereafter. Many settlers arrived from nearby Haiti and the French colony of Acadia, an area in North Eastern North America now consisting of Quebec and Maine. This was followed by further European colonization and then the American Revolution. This wide range of inhabitants has left many characteristics of cultures imprinted within the Southern Society.

This concept of a melting pot is clearly displayed in the Cajun ethnic group. Largely influenced by French ancestry, many facets of French culture can be found on display in this uniquely American group. Such as the French Quarter section of New Orleans or the new famous Mardi Gras celebration. I would like to explore this unique way of life and attempt to understand some of its cultural heritage.

 

Cajun Cooking.

Cultural Identity Report