History of French Language

3 Credits · Level: Graduate, Undergraduate

The history of the French language is the story of a language evolving within concrete situations to meet the needs of its users. We trace its emancipation from Classical Latin and its gradual transformation into a recognizable French language by the thirteenth century. Colonialism, migrations, invasions, geographical location social, and ideological systems leave their imprint on the language. By the end of the course students will be able to read aloud and translate selected passages of Old French. Through the language, they will also have an historical and linguistic understanding of why France's cultural identity today is predominantly "Latin." Some acquaintance with Latin is desirable but not essential. Cross-listed with Linguistics. This course fulfills the linguistics requirement and the post-advanced language requirement for the French major, and satisfies one semester of the College's social science general education requirement. (Not offered 2004-05)