I’ve spent a good deal of time in Cajun country, Louisiana, Zydeco country, too, listening to the various dialect, music, and, well, the food. The food takes up about all your senses.
One fella you want to know is Dr. Barry Jean Ancelet, who has done a great deal to gain appreciation in the past 30 years for preserving Cajun culture and language. I had a LP record produced by him that was a “repetez” learning of Cajun—gifted it to someone, and can’t find another copy. You might contact him to see if it’s available.
Here’s an LSU French Studies page on Cajun French, with some depth.
Definetly listen to Cajun music, it will give you a good brain boost toward the rhythm of the language. Zydeco, too. The analogy would be that Cajun is like Country music, and Zydeco is like Blues. Both are rooted in Louisiana, with heavy French influence, unlike anything else in the US, but on divergent paths.
My favorite town in Cajun LA is Mamou. A tiny powerhouse of a way different culture than you’ve ever experienced.
My heart is crying for Louisiana now, heartbreaking hard times.