opinion

Charles Larroque: CODOFIL making great strides toward developing francophone identity

The International Association of Francophone Mayors conference recently held in Lafayette and New Orleans has underlined the relevance of French Louisiana’s role in the 21st century. As an existing member of this prestigious group of international elected officials, the City of Lafayette and its International Center took the center stage of French America by paving the way for great opportunities ahead.

CODOFIL, Louisiana’s state agency for francophone affairs, is greatly aware of the impact that this and future francophone events will have on our state. CODOFIL founder and visionary, Jimmy Domengeaux, would be proud today to see Louisiana French entering a new era — one of great expectations. As a result of this conference, nations from different continents are looking to Louisiana for answers to important questions. How can the cultural diversity inherent in Louisiana’s “créolité” be leveraged in Africa to mitigate the violence of ethnic differences? How can the Louisiana francophone identity offset the loss of “sense of place” — the feeling of being homesick while still at home? How can a linguistic minority add economic value through innovative diversification of the local economy?

The answers to such questions may be found in the French Immersion classrooms of Acadiana. These outstanding programs are now forming a bilingual creative class that is ready to get to work. We at CODOFIL understand the enormous economic potential of French Immersion and that is why we are venturing into new cultural economy territories with Louisiana French.

For example, CODOFIL is establishing new partnerships with agencies such as the Louisiana National Guard and the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness. Here on the northern rim of the Caribbean Basin, Louisiana French may play a significant role in myriad missions to Haiti and beyond; and the bilingual workforce in our own backyard is just waiting for the many exciting opportunities in today’s global economy.

Let us continue making these important French connections — both abroad and, especially, at home. Let us begin with earnest to provide more practical applications to this great gift of linguistic competence. This is our heritage. This is our legacy. This is our duty for future generations of Louisianians for whom we should always have great expectations.

— Charles Larroque is the directeur exécutif for CODOFIL.