Episodes in the History of the French Language: An Examination of the Reciprocal Influences of the French Language and French Society

Episodes in the History of the French Language is a study of the most important events in the progression of French beginning with its parent language, Latin, and ending with the language of present-day France. It explores both the internal history and external history of the language; that is, the changes in linguistic mechanics, as well as the socio-political and cultural conditions which brought about those changes. The paper provides evidence for the connection between the French language and French culture and asserts that each of these elements has a direct influence upon the other. Excerpts from literary sources are provided in the original language as well as in translation to give the reader an idea of the progression of French from Latin to Old French to Modern French