Learn the Spanish
of Louisiana
Explore Isleño Spanish — an endangered Louisiana dialect — through songs, stories, and the living archive of the Décima tradition. Four free, web-based modules for Spanish learners of all levels.
Browse ModulesWhat is the
Décima Project?
Since the first Spanish speakers arrived with the De Soto expedition nearly five hundred years ago, diverse Spanish-speaking communities have called Louisiana home. Researchers have identified three distinct dialects of Spanish that arose during the colonial period and endured into the late twentieth century, preserving traditions like songs, foodways, and place names.
This project is named for the unique tradition of songs which the Isleños of St. Bernard Parish called décimas. It brings together archival audio and video materials from across these traditions to engage Spanish-language learners with Louisiana's diverse Spanish-language heritage.
These educational modules were developed by the Institute for Public Ethnomusicology. For questions, collaboration inquiries, or to use these materials in a classroom setting, please get in touch.
Course Modules
All 4 availableCasa de Cosas Locas
A Mad Libs-style fill-in-the-blank adventure in Isleño Spanish
Décima de Titico
Allegar a la Louisiana — learning through the living song tradition
Different Destinies of Wila
Exploring verb forms, songs, and the stories of Isleño life
Cantos Locos
Write your own décima verses and record your performance
Questions?
Get in touch.
Whether you're an educator wanting to use these materials in a course, a researcher with interest in Louisiana Spanish, or a community member with connections to the Isleño tradition — we'd love to hear from you.