Frenchie: The Story of French-Speaking Cajuns of World War II | Paperback
- In stock, ready to ship
- Backordered, shipping soon
As soon as American forces landed on the beaches of Normandy in June 1944, military commanders called for "Frenchies" to serve as interpreters with the local population. These young Cajun soldiers from Louisiana, like their Acadian ancestors, had grown up speaking French as their first language. In fact, Cajuns represented the largest group of French-speaking Americans in the military, and their linguistic abilities proved invaluable to operations around the world.
Ironically, this same generation experienced discrimination in a state-sanctioned English-only school system that sought to "Americanize" them. Often punished for speaking French at school, many young Cajuns grew up ashamed of their language and culture. Yet, during the Second World War, when these same Cajuns arrived in the francophone territories of North Africa and Europe, where their bilingual abilities became a vital resource, Frenchies bridged the language gap. What emerged from this unique wartime experience was a long-lost pride in Cajun heritage, creating a profound impact of their sense of identity.
Publisher: University of Louisiana
Publication Date:
Page Count: 244
Binding: Paperback
Condition: New
Local pickup is FREE - in-stock items are normally ready for pickup by the next business day.
Shipping is calculated at checkout. Items are in stock and ready to ship within 2-3 business days. Once shipped, standard shipping may take 5-8 business days to arrive, but often arrives sooner.
FREE shipping on orders over $100.
Special orders may take 1-2 weeks to ship or be ready for pickup. If your items are backordered, you will be sent an email with that information and the opportunity to cancel and receive a refund.
Pre-orders will be ready for pickup or ship on the release date.
We currently only ship to the U.S.
We accept returns within 30 days of receipt for store credit. To be eligible, items must be in their original condition — unworn or unused, with tags, and in original packaging — along with proof of purchase.
Please note that final sale items, gift cards, and custom or special orders are non-returnable. If you received a damaged, defective, or incorrect item, reach out right away and we'll make it right.
The fastest way to exchange an item is to return it and place a new order once the return is approved. Questions? Reach us anytime at hello@thebookdragonstore.com.
