Abstract

Today, New England is very densely populated with the descendants of Quebec immigrants who settled in the region’s many small towns in the mid-19th century. Influenced by factors of geography— as these Francophone communities often resided near the French-Canadian border— and culture— by which the smallness of these communities resulted in French being spoken as a first language in a country where English was, and is, the dominant language— the type of French that has developed in New England is unlike any other French dialect in the world: A dialect known as New England French. In recent decades, these small, isolated communities have begun to disband due to economic and technological developments that no longer oblige these French-Canadian descendents to remain in their designated regions. Similarly, the necessity for subsequent generations to learn New England French is declining as communities expand. As a result, New England French is an endangered linguistic dialect that may be lost entirely in coming years. This essay explores the historical precedent for the existence of the New England dialect of French; explores how the development of this dialect has resulted in a unique cultural identity for New England Francophones; and attempts to determine a trajectory for the future of New England French and Francophone identity, and if it is a dialect and culture that can be preserved for future generations.

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