French Inside Out: The Worldwide Development of the French Language in the Past, the Present and the Future

by Henriette Walter

Overview

In this comprehensive introduction, Henriette Walter provides the reader with a panoramic view of the development of the French language in the past, present and future. She takes the reader on a rapid and lively journey through the historical development of the language from its Latin origins to the present day. She goes on to set the language in its linguistic context by surveying its surviving and vanished dialects and regional variations of the language within France. Widening her focus, Walter examines French throughout the world, giving examples of the pronunciation and vocabulary of each region or nation. Finally she looks at French today: its structure, the effects of social change on the language, and its future in an increasingly English dominated world. This stimulating and entertaining account offers students of French a clear and accessible introduction to the language. The wealth of information it provides is reflected in the extensive bibliography, four indices and numerous world lists, maps and diagrams.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781134902057
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	09/02/2003
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	292
File size:	6 MB

About the Author

Henriette Walter

Table of Contents

Preface, Acknowledgements, Graphic conventions, INTRODUCTION, 1 WHERE DOES FRENCH COME FROM?: TEN LANDMARKS IN THE HISTORY OF FRENCH, 2 DIALECTS AND PATOIS: THE REGIONAL LANGUAGES, 3 FRENCH IN FRANCE: REGIONAL VARIETIES, 4 FRENCH OUTSIDE FRANCE: THE STATUS OF FRENCH AND INTERNATIONAL DIVERSITY, 5 WHAT IS FRENCH?: SPECIFICITY AND STRUCTURE, 6 WHERE IS FRENCH GOING?: PRESENT TRENDS, References, Indexes