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PORT NECHES — James Tomplait realized some time ago that if didn’t continue to converse in the Cajun French language the skill could be lost.

He recalls some fellow church members that he spoke with who knew Cajun French but were losing it because there was no one to speak it with.

“So I decided to do a monthly meeting,” Tomplait said.

Thus began the Cajun French Communication Club.

“At the first meeting I said introduce ourselves and let us know where you went to school, everything you can about yourself— but do it in (Cajun) French,” he said. “When I did, their eyes got big as saucers.”

To ease the minds of those who may have been a little reluctant or worried about their mastery of the language he told them if they got to a word they didn’t know in Cajun French to use English and there would probably be someone in the room that knew the correct word.

Tomplait was asked by some at the meeting if he would teach a class on the language but he said he is not a teacher and feels he doesn’t know enough of the language to teach others.

On Sept. 24 at 6p.m. the Hebert Public Library, 2025 Merriman St., Port Neches will host the Cajun French Communication Club meeting. This will mark their second meeting where the group will converse in Cajun French and keep the language alive.

Tomplait remembers stories from his brother-in-law who, while growing up in Louisiana, could barely speak English. At that time the English speaking teachers would forbid the Cajun French speaking students from speaking their native language. Those students would get in trouble in school.

Some of the native speakers kept their language with them and would converse in Cajun French so their English speaking children would not overhear adult conversations.

Tomplait picked up the language from his paternal grandmother so when he would visit her he would ask her the meaning of words and phrases he heard at home.

“Mais, this is what that means but don’t repeat it,” she would tell him.

Tomplait said he is looking to add another time slot for the Cajun French Communication Club because some of the members do not like to drive after dark.

Chelsea Moore, adult programs director at the Hebert Public Library described the club as a group of individuals getting together to practice their Cajun French speaking skills so the language is not lost. She sees it as valuable cultural history.

Port Neches once had a thriving Cajun French community but that number is dwindling.

This is not a teaching club they are learning from each other,” Moore said.