Episode 24: Cajun French—From the Schoolhouse to WWII

In this episode of the Frenchie Podcast, we explore the remarkable transformation of Cajun French from a language discouraged in Louisiana classrooms during the 1920s to a valuable military asset during World War II. Featuring rare archival audio discovered at the Center for Louisiana Studies, listeners will hear an extraordinary conversation between two legendary Cajun veterans and Louisiana National Guard leaders—Gen. Bob LeBlanc and Gen. Curney Dronet. Together, these two Acadian citizen soldiers discuss language, identity, military service, and the emergence of a new pride in being Cajun during and after the war.