User:DNUWwikiF/Council for the Development of French in Louisiana

Lead
History
 * CODOFIL and Québec ties: Wade Martin
 * CODOFIL and international ties: CODOFIL works closely with the international Francophone community

Language and Cultural Revitalization Methods
CODOFIL endorses revitalization of the French language in Louisiana through French immersion programs in schools, and CODOFIL does this by inviting French-speaking teachers from French-speaking communities around the world to Louisiana. In order for schools to have teachers for the immersion program, schools must send requests for teachers to CODOFIL first, then CODOFIL select teachers from the list of applicants that fit with the schools' criteria for the immersion program and send them to teach the immersion programs there. CODOFIL also endorse Cajun Music Festival as a way to promote Cajun culture through Cajun music and keep the Cajun tradition alive.

Criticism
Although CODOFIL aims to promote the French language and culture in Louisiana, this does not come without controversies among critics in Louisiana. A common criticism is that CODOFIL emphasizes education in Standard French over the local Louisiana French for economical purpose over cultural purpose. Critics claim that not only do CODOFIL attempt to homogenize the type of French dialect through inviting foreign Francophone teachers over relying on local French-speaking Cajuns and Creoles for the French language immersion program, CODOFIL also homogenizes French culture in Louisiana by prioritizing a Cajun identity over Creole identity when it comes to Louisiana's Francophone identity. Despite this, a survey conducted on the French immersion program shows that a majority of the teachers in the immersion program support integration of Cajun culture and Louisiana French into the curriculum, with 69% saying yes to teaching Cajun or Louisiana French into the curriculum, and 72% for Franco-Louisianan cultural aspect relating to the Louisiana French language, although the issue still remains for Louisiana Creole, with 90% of the teachers in the survey say no to integrating Creole into the curriculum in contrast to Louisiana French. Another criticism of CODOFIL's approach on cultural revival through festivals comes from critics such as the musician James Bau Graves, who view that CODOFIL commodifies Cajun culture through music festival and cultural activities and conserving it for tourism instead of preserving it. Graves views that the commercialization of Cajun culture prevents it from preserving because it hinders any attempts for the culture to adapt to the modern era, and homogenizes Cajun culture to a commodity. On the other hand, Barry Jean Ancelet views that the commercialization of Cajun culture allows more exposure to tourists and the international community. Ancelet views that exposure of Cajun culture to the outside allows appreciation from the international community and helps cultural preservation and revitalization possible by bolstering cultural pride and funding for the community.