Jehan et Blonde, Poems and Songs by Philippe de Remi , Barbara N. Sargent-Baur (review)

Abstract

MLRy 98.1, 2003 195 Valdman and Thomas A. Klinger examine the phonology and grammar of Louisiana Creole and, in so doing, document how tenuous is the line of demarcation between LC and Cajun French. They also return to the issue of possible African influence on the Creole but conclude that the parallels with vernacular and regional French forms suggest a process of convergence between the varieties spoken by the white settlers and the languages of the slave population in the genesis of the Creole. Margaret M. Marshall outlines the historical emergence of LC and argues for the early existence in the colony of a linguistic continuum and a level of social fluidity in the early years that allowed the Creole to spread to the white community. The fuzziness of the boundaries separating LC and CF is highlighted by Klinger, Michael D. Picone, and Valdman in their description of the lexicon: they argue for a fundamental unity among the French-related varieties, justifying the combination of the lexicons under the single label of 'Louisiana French'. Their study underlines the decline in lexical productivity of LC and CF, where internal processes are yielding to borrowings from English. Jacques Henry and Becky Brown, respectively, chart the socio-political and historical background and the shift in language attitudes that led to the effortsto revitalize French in Louisiana through the creation of the CODOFIL (Council for the Development of French in Louisiana), the ensuing debate on Cajun identity,and the emergence of a more informal revival movement focusing on issues of culture rather than language. Brown considers the issue of developing a Louisiana French norm and underlines the need for language planners to take into account speakers' desire to identifywith a local variety rather than an external norm. Finally, Barry Jean Ancelet documents the present state of research on Louisiana's folklore and folklife. The scope of this volume in reality goes beyond that suggested by the title, since four remaining chapters deal with related varieties outside Louisiana. Julianne Maher provides a description of Saint Barth patois and Saint Barth Creole. Karin Flikeid and Raymond Mougeon deal with Acadian and Ontarian French respectively, and Pierre Rezeau examines lexical links between Louisiana French and varieties within France, and proposes a methodology for comparative lexicographical research. The broad sweep of this volume, the wealth of useful and comprehensive information it contains, and the range of issues addressed have much to offer scholars interested in French language and culture outside France as well as Creolists and linguists interested in language loss and maintenance. University of Leeds Marie-Anne Hintze Jehan etBlonde, Poems and Songs. By Philippe de Remi. Ed. by Barbara N. SargentBaur . (FauxTitre, 201) Amsterdam and Atlanta, GA: Rodopi. 2001. ii +586 pp. $127.50. ISBN 90-420-1504-7. This very substantial volume completes Barbara Sargent-Baur's edition of the com? plete works of Philippe de Remi, begun in her 1999 edition of his Roman de la Manekine, prepared in collaboration with Alison Stones and Roger Middleton and also published by Rodopi. The two volumes together provide a modern edition of all of the works attributed to this poet, including not only the narrative works and shorter pieces found in Bibl. Nat. fr.1588 but also the songs transmitted in the chansonnier Bibl. Nat. fr. 24406 and the Resveries found in Bibl. Nat. fr.837. As in the edition of La Manekine, Sargent-Baur has provided an English translation of Jehan et Blonde, but she has not translated any of the other pieces. All ofthe texts, however, are equipped with notes commenting primarily on the establishment of the text and on linguistic peculiarities, though occasionally on parallels with other texts. Jehan et Blonde tells the story of a young man, son of an impoverished knight, who succeeds through his wits and his chivalric abilities in marrying the daughter 196 Reviews of the earl of Oxford. The narrative is fairly conventional in its representation of court life and amorous intrigue, lacking the lurid elements of La Manekine with its tale of treachery, incest, infanticide, and self-mutilation, and its eventual miraculous resolution. None the less, Philippe tells a lively story with plenty of entertaining moments...