Episode 130: Kouri-Vini – Louisiana’s Endangered Creole Language

Kouri-Vini is the name given to Louisiana’s endangered, indigenous Creole language. It is spoken largely in rural south Louisiana by both Louisiana Creoles and Cajuns. Linguist and performer Clif St. Laurent joins Louisiana Life Executive Editor Errol Laborde, along with podcast producer Kelly Massicot to talk about this language that developed in the Colonial era and that still survives.

He also discusses the recently produced “Tambou,” the first film spoken in Kouri-Vini. Hear about the film character’s struggle to save himself and about the efforts to preserve the language.