A new conversation group at the West Baton Rouge Museum will give Louisiana Creole speakers the chance to speak in their native language and invite others to learn more about Louisiana Creole culture.

Kafé Kréyol, which welcomes all levels of ability, will hold its first meeting from 10:30 a.m. to noon Saturday in the classroom at the museum in Port Allen and continue on the first Saturday of each month. Conversation leader Henry Johnson said the group shows how Louisiana Creole has become more visible and even institutionalized in recent years.

"It really shows how far that we've come," Johnson said. "It shows how much we have persevered as a people, as a culture group, that we now have areas where we're able to speak and learn and teach about our language in public."

It is estimated that fewer than 10,000 people speak Louisiana Creole, according to the Atlas of Pidgin and Creole Language Structures.

The group will offer an educational atmosphere, as well as coffee and snacks, Johnson said. In the first meeting, he will introduce basic words and correct misconceptions about the language, like the assumption that Louisiana Creole is the same as Haitian Creole.

The West Baton Rouge Museum also hosts Café Français for French speakers. With the introduction of Kafé Kréyol, Louisiana Creole speakers will now, too, have a place to speak in the "language of their childhood," Johnson said.

"Because it means a lot to them, it means a lot to me, and by extension, I feel like it should mean a lot to all of us as a whole," Johnson said. "Times have changed, and we're able to have these things back, and I'm happy about it."

The event is free with no registration required.