Isleño

The term refers to the Isleños in the 18th century immigrated to Louisiana, Spanish-speaking inhabitants of the Canary Islands and their descendants.

History

1762 Louisiana was transferred from France to Spain. To back up this region permanently for Spanish interests, the government decided to locals of the Canary Islands ( in Louisiana Isleños called ) to relocate to Louisiana. So wandered 1778-1783 a total of 2,373 Spanish settlers in the colony.

Immigrants devoted themselves to the new environment to agriculture, animal husbandry, fishing and hunting. Apart from the weekly market in New Orleans Isleños had no contact with the English-or French -speaking population.

Only at the beginning of the 20th century with the construction of paved roads, the Sprachenklave opened. From one to two thousand Isleños today speak only about 500 people a Spanish dialect fluently.

The Spanish Isleño contains elements from the American Spanish, the Cajun French, English and Portuguese ( the Canarian Spanish includes a number of Portuguese loanwords ).

Today's communities of Isleños

• Delacroix
• Woodlake
• Reggio
• Yscloskey
• Shell Beach (Louisiana )
• Hopedale