And I guess for most people, saying it exactly like in the song is not necessary. I've heard some non french speakers imitate the sounds understandably, if not perfectly. And that really is close enough in my book. I applaude anyone for trying, I dang sure wont attempt to sing, mercifully.
I would never want to criticize Ann. I think it was on an album jacket where it said she spoke Paris french. I am sure they just meant "book" french as opposed to Cajun. Ann has done more to preserve and popularize Cajun music than anyone I know of. What a wonderful lady and a gift to all of us.
Yes and that LSU Frencj Studies site lets you llook up words in a glossary and hear then pronounced on-line. About's Anne,s accent I am corrected!
her accent must have changed alot.
George, as far as learning to sing a Cajun song, here's what worked for me. Look in Ann's book for the song you want to learn, and then locate that particular version. For example, if you're wanting to learn Love Bridge Waltz, you'll find the lyrics in Ann's book in the section on Iry LeJeune. Get yourself an Iry CD (try Cajun's Greatest - The Definitive Collection) and listen to his version, which is sung exactly as Ann has it written. This gives you something to follow, so you can read the phoenetics and practice singing along with the recording. It's worked, and has helped not only with learning to sing the song, but with speaking and understanding some of the language as well. At this point, I could probably converse fairly effectively in Cajun French - as long as we were talking about love, misery or drinking!