Claim: Of the three major dialects of the French language in the United States (Louisiana French, Missouri French, and New England French), Louisiana French is traditionally subdivided into Colonial French, Louisiana Creole French, and Cajun French.
Evidence: Several varieties of French emerged in the United States: Louisiana French, New England French and the nearly-extinct Frenchville French, Missouri French, Muskrat French and Métis French. Also known as Urban Louisiana French, Colonial French, or Plantation Society French, it is spoken primarily in the urban business centers of the state. In English, they referred to their language as "Creole French" and "French" simultaneously. For these reasons, as well as the relatively small influence Acadian French has had on the language, the label Louisiana French or Louisiana Regional French (French: français régional louisianais) is generally regarded as more accurate and inclusive than "Cajun French" and is preferred term by linguists and anthropologists.