French Linguistic Landscape

• Latin Origins: French developed from Latin brought to Gaul (modern-day France) by Roman occupiers.
• Old French: After the fall of the Roman Empire, Latin evolved into what is known as Old French, influenced by Gaulish and Frankish languages.
• Middle French: By the Middle Ages, French began to stabilize into a more uniform language, gaining prominence as a language of culture and scholarship.
• Modern French: The 17th to 20th centuries saw the standardization of French, influenced by the Académie Française, making it a global language of diplomacy, arts, and science.

French is more than just the official language in many francophone countries; it is an integral part of their social, political, and educational life. Countries in Africa, the Caribbean, and the Pacific, among others, embrace French, adapting it to local contexts while also contributing to its global richness.

• Gallo-Roman Era: The foundation of French lies in the Gallo-Roman period, where Vulgar Latin began diverging into distinct regional languages, including what would become Old French.
• Norman Conquest of England (1066): This event significantly influenced the English language, with a vast number of French words entering English vocabulary, showcasing the early influence of French beyond its geographic origins.
• Ordinance of Villers-Cotterêts (1539): French replaced Latin as the official language of legal and administrative documents in France, standardizing the use of French and significantly boosting its prestige and utility.
• French Revolution (18th Century): The revolution played a crucial role in unifying the French nation under a common language, diminishing the use of regional dialects in favour of Standard French.
• 20th Century: The expansion of French colonial empires and the establishment of the Francophonie solidified French's status as a global language.

Globalisation has introduced English as the lingua franca of business, science, and international relations, challenging the French language's role in these domains. However, initiatives like La Francophonie aim to promote French globally, not just as a language of culture and communication but also as a language of economic and political partnership among its member states. This modern dynamic context highlights the resilience and adaptability of the French language in the face of global challenges.

• Oïl languages: Including Picard, Norman, and Walloon, these dialects are predominantly found in northern France and parts of Belgium.
• Occitan: Spoken in southern France, it encompasses several dialects such as Provençal and Gascon.
• Alsatian and Mosellan: Germanic dialects found in the Alsace and Moselle regions.
• Basque: A non-Romance language spoken in the Western Pyrenees, on the border between France and Spain.
• Breton: A Celtic language spoken in Brittany.
• Corsican: Spoken on the island of Corsica, influenced by Italian.

• Belgian French: Features distinct pronunciations and vocabulary. For example, a 'breakfast roll' is referred to as pistolet in Belgium.
• Swiss French: Notable for its use of certain unique words such as natel for ‘mobile phone’.
• African Francophone Countries: French is often blended with local languages, leading to linguistic hybrids like Camfranglais in Cameroon.
• Canadian French: Particularly in Quebec, differs markedly in accent and includes unique expressions such as dépanneur for ‘convenience store’.

The academic and legal domains in many African countries still heavily rely on French, affecting the language of instruction and administration. Similarly, in the Middle East, countries like Lebanon feature French as a second or third language, used in advertising, education, and media, illustrating the extent of French influence on local linguistic landscapes. The presence of French international schools abroad is another vital aspect of this influence, promoting the French language and culture globally.