What is CODOFIL

In the 1990 census, approximately 250,000 Louisianians responded that French was the language they spoke at home. The 2000 census showed 198,784 Louisiana francophones over the age of 5, including 4,470 who speak Creole French. The Council for the Development of French in Louisiana (CODOFIL) was created in 1968 by the state legislature, because of the existence of this corps of native French speakers. According to Legislative Act No. 409, CODOFIL is empowered to "do any and all things necessary to accomplish the development, utilization, and preservation of the French language as found in Louisiana for the cultural, economic and touristic benefit of the state".

Vision

To give to the French-speaking communities of Louisiana the means necessary to live their lives in French.

Mission

Our Mission is two-fold: to offer Louisiana’s citizens, whether they be of French ancestry or not, the opportunity either to learn French or to enhance and utilize the French they already know; and to explore, understand and support Cajun, Creole and Francophone heritage in Louisiana for the cultural, economic and touristic benefit of all its citizens.

Philosophy

We treasure our past to enrich our future by affirming our Franchophone identity through education (Goal I), community outreach (Goal II) and international exchanges (Goal III).