[PDF] History of French : an added dimension for language

When did French become standardized?

From the 17th century onwards, French became standardized. In literary salons, authors known as Les Précieuses tried to escape what they perceived as the coarse language of the times, by advocating “preciousness” (extreme refinement in the arts and language).

When did France become a language?

The true birth of the French language, however, took place three decades later. Charlemagne’s empire was divided after his death and tensions rose between his grandchildren Lothair I, Charles the Bald, and Louis the German, which ultimately culminated in war.

What are the major milestones in the evolution of the French language?

From its humble origins to its official recognition in 1539, there are several major milestones in the evolution of this Romance language. Here are some of the most notable milestones in the history of the French language: To understand how French came to be, we have to go back two millennia to the age of the Roman Empire.

How has French changed over time?

Ferdinand Brunot, historian. French, like all of the world’s languages, has undergone dramatic changes over time: from the Middle Ages to the advent of printing, through the Renaissance and the French Revolution, French’s linguistic heritage has constantly evolved, adapted and borrowed.