Characteristics of French language
Letter signed by Eugène DelacroixLetter, signed by Eugène Delacroix, apologizing for a
period of silence during a bout of ill health, 1863; from a private collection.
French phonology is characterized by great changes in the sounds of words as compared
with their Latin parent forms as well as cognates in the other Romance languages. For example,
Latin secūrum ‘sure, secure’ became Spanish seguro but French sûr; Latin vōcem ‘voice’ became
Spanish voz but French voix, pronounced vwa.
French grammar
French grammar, like that of the other Romance languages, has been greatly simplified
from that of Latin. Nouns are not declined for case. Formerly, they were marked for plural by the
addition of -s or -es, but the ending, though retained in spelling, has generally been lost in
speech. Masculine and feminine gender are distinguished but are usually marked not in the noun
but rather in the accompanying article or adjective. Plural marking in spoken French is often
similarly distinguished. The verb in French is conjugated for three persons, singular and plural,
but again, although distinguished in spelling, several of these forms are pronounced identically.
French has verb forms for indicative, imperative, and subjunctive moods; preterite, imperfect,
present, future, and conditional, and a variety of perfect and progressive tenses; and passive and
reflexive constructions.
Linguistic change was more rapid and more drastic in northern France than it was in other
European Romance regions, and influence from Latin was comparatively slight (though
borrowing of Latin vocabulary has been great since the 14th century). The influence of the
Germanic Frankish invaders is often held to account for exotic features in Old French, such as
strong stress accent and abundant use of diphthongs and nasal vowels, but by the 15th century
the language had begun to change, and a sober (even monotonous) intonation and loss of a stress
accent became characteristic. The popularity of French as a first foreign language, in spite of
numerous pronunciation difficulties for nearly all foreign speakers, is perhaps as much the result
of the precise codification of its grammar, effectuated especially during the 18th century, as of
the brilliance of its literature at all periods.
Other dialects are grouped
Modern dialects are classified mainly on a geographic basis, and most survive only in rural
areas. Walloon, spoken mainly in Belgium, is something of an exception in that it has had a
flourishing dialect literature since approximately 1600. Other dialects are grouped as follows:
Central: Francien, Orléanais, Bourbonnais, Champenois
Northern: Picard, Northern Norman
Eastern: Lorrain, Bourguignon (Burgundian), Franc-Comtois
Western: Norman, Gallo (around the Celtic Breton area), Angevin, Manceau
Southwestern: Poitevin, Saintongeais, Angoumois
Canadian French
Outside France, the French of Canada, originally probably of northwestern dialect type,
has developed the most individual features. Although 18th-century Canadian French was
regarded as exceptionally “pure” by metropolitan commentators, it began to diverge from
Parisian French after 1760 as a consequence of its isolation from the metropolis and of the
ever-stronger influence of English. Canadian French is less clearly articulated, with less lip
movement and with a more monotonous intonation, than standard French; some change in
consonantal sounds occurs (/t/ and /d/ shift to /ts/ and /dz/, respectively, and both k and g
become palatalized [pronounced with the tongue touching the hard palate, or roof of the
mouth] when followed by the letters i or e); nasal vowels tend to lose the nasal element;
vocabulary and syntax are heavily Anglicized.
Although intellectuals turn toward France for cultural inspiration, the pronunciation and
usage of standard French is sometimes derided by French Canadians; this may be because
their English compatriots are taught Parisian French at school. The French-speaking
population of Canada is growing relatively fast, and more than four-fifths of the population
of Quebec province uses French on a daily basis. The continuing activities of the separatist
movement provide evidence of the persistence of resentment among many French Canadians.
Letter signed by Eugène DelacroixLetter, signed by Eugène Delacroix, apologizing for a
period of silence during a bout of ill health, 1863; from a private collection.
French phonology is characterized by great changes in the sounds of words as compared
with their Latin parent forms as well as cognates in the other Romance languages. For example,
Latin secūrum ‘sure, secure’ became Spanish seguro but French sûr; Latin vōcem ‘voice’ became
Spanish voz but French voix, pronounced vwa.
French grammar
French grammar, like that of the other Romance languages, has been greatly simplified
from that of Latin. Nouns are not declined for case. Formerly, they were marked for plural by the
addition of -s or -es, but the ending, though retained in spelling, has generally been lost in
speech. Masculine and feminine gender are distinguished but are usually marked not in the noun
but rather in the accompanying article or adjective. Plural marking in spoken French is often
similarly distinguished. The verb in French is conjugated for three persons, singular and plural,
but again, although distinguished in spelling, several of these forms are pronounced identically.
French has verb forms for indicative, imperative, and subjunctive moods; preterite, imperfect,
present, future, and conditional, and a variety of perfect and progressive tenses; and passive and
reflexive constructions.
Linguistic change was more rapid and more drastic in northern France than it was in other
European Romance regions, and influence from Latin was comparatively slight (though
borrowing of Latin vocabulary has been great since the 14th century). The influence of the
Germanic Frankish invaders is often held to account for exotic features in Old French, such as
strong stress accent and abundant use of diphthongs and nasal vowels, but by the 15th century
the language had begun to change, and a sober (even monotonous) intonation and loss of a stress
accent became characteristic. The popularity of French as a first foreign language, in spite of
numerous pronunciation difficulties for nearly all foreign speakers, is perhaps as much the result
of the precise codification of its grammar, effectuated especially during the 18th century, as of
the brilliance of its literature at all periods.
Other dialects are grouped
Modern dialects are classified mainly on a geographic basis, and most survive only in rural
areas. Walloon, spoken mainly in Belgium, is something of an exception in that it has had a
flourishing dialect literature since approximately 1600. Other dialects are grouped as follows:
Central: Francien, Orléanais, Bourbonnais, Champenois
Northern: Picard, Northern Norman
Eastern: Lorrain, Bourguignon (Burgundian), Franc-Comtois
Western: Norman, Gallo (around the Celtic Breton area), Angevin, Manceau
Southwestern: Poitevin, Saintongeais, Angoumois
Canadian French
Outside France, the French of Canada, originally probably of northwestern dialect type,
has developed the most individual features. Although 18th-century Canadian French was
regarded as exceptionally “pure” by metropolitan commentators, it began to diverge from
Parisian French after 1760 as a consequence of its isolation from the metropolis and of the
ever-stronger influence of English. Canadian French is less clearly articulated, with less lip
movement and with a more monotonous intonation, than standard French; some change in
consonantal sounds occurs (/t/ and /d/ shift to /ts/ and /dz/, respectively, and both k and g
become palatalized [pronounced with the tongue touching the hard palate, or roof of the
mouth] when followed by the letters i or e); nasal vowels tend to lose the nasal element;
vocabulary and syntax are heavily Anglicized.
Although intellectuals turn toward France for cultural inspiration, the pronunciation and
usage of standard French is sometimes derided by French Canadians; this may be because
their English compatriots are taught Parisian French at school. The French-speaking
population of Canada is growing relatively fast, and more than four-fifths of the population
of Quebec province uses French on a daily basis. The continuing activities of the separatist
movement provide evidence of the persistence of resentment among many French Canadians.
Letter signed by Eugène DelacroixLetter, signed by Eugène Delacroix, apologizing for a
period of silence during a bout of ill health, 1863; from a private collection.
French phonology is characterized by great changes in the sounds of words as compared
with their Latin parent forms as well as cognates in the other Romance languages. For example,
Latin secūrum ‘sure, secure’ became Spanish seguro but French sûr; Latin vōcem ‘voice’ became
Spanish voz but French voix, pronounced vwa.
French grammar
French grammar, like that of the other Romance languages, has been greatly simplified
from that of Latin. Nouns are not declined for case. Formerly, they were marked for plural by the
addition of -s or -es, but the ending, though retained in spelling, has generally been lost in
speech. Masculine and feminine gender are distinguished but are usually marked not in the noun
but rather in the accompanying article or adjective. Plural marking in spoken French is often
similarly distinguished. The verb in French is conjugated for three persons, singular and plural,
but again, although distinguished in spelling, several of these forms are pronounced identically.
French has verb forms for indicative, imperative, and subjunctive moods; preterite, imperfect,
present, future, and conditional, and a variety of perfect and progressive tenses; and passive and
reflexive constructions.
Linguistic change was more rapid and more drastic in northern France than it was in other
European Romance regions, and influence from Latin was comparatively slight (though
borrowing of Latin vocabulary has been great since the 14th century). The influence of the
Germanic Frankish invaders is often held to account for exotic features in Old French, such as
strong stress accent and abundant use of diphthongs and nasal vowels, but by the 15th century
the language had begun to change, and a sober (even monotonous) intonation and loss of a stress
accent became characteristic. The popularity of French as a first foreign language, in spite of
numerous pronunciation difficulties for nearly all foreign speakers, is perhaps as much the result
of the precise codification of its grammar, effectuated especially during the 18th century, as of
the brilliance of its literature at all periods.
Other dialects are grouped
Modern dialects are classified mainly on a geographic basis, and most survive only in rural
areas. Walloon, spoken mainly in Belgium, is something of an exception in that it has had a
flourishing dialect literature since approximately 1600. Other dialects are grouped as follows:
Central: Francien, Orléanais, Bourbonnais, Champenois
Northern: Picard, Northern Norman
Eastern: Lorrain, Bourguignon (Burgundian), Franc-Comtois
Western: Norman, Gallo (around the Celtic Breton area), Angevin, Manceau
Southwestern: Poitevin, Saintongeais, Angoumois
Canadian French
Outside France, the French of Canada, originally probably of northwestern dialect type,
has developed the most individual features. Although 18th-century Canadian French was
regarded as exceptionally “pure” by metropolitan commentators, it began to diverge from
Parisian French after 1760 as a consequence of its isolation from the metropolis and of the
ever-stronger influence of English. Canadian French is less clearly articulated, with less lip
movement and with a more monotonous intonation, than standard French; some change in
consonantal sounds occurs (/t/ and /d/ shift to /ts/ and /dz/, respectively, and both k and g
become palatalized [pronounced with the tongue touching the hard palate, or roof of the
mouth] when followed by the letters i or e); nasal vowels tend to lose the nasal element;
vocabulary and syntax are heavily Anglicized.
Although intellectuals turn toward France for cultural inspiration, the pronunciation and
usage of standard French is sometimes derided by French Canadians; this may be because
their English compatriots are taught Parisian French at school. The French-speaking
population of Canada is growing relatively fast, and more than four-fifths of the population
of Quebec province uses French on a daily basis. The continuing activities of the separatist
movement provide evidence of the persistence of resentment among many French Canadians.
Letter signed by Eugène DelacroixLetter, signed by Eugène Delacroix, apologizing for a
period of silence during a bout of ill health, 1863; from a private collection.
French phonology is characterized by great changes in the sounds of words as compared
with their Latin parent forms as well as cognates in the other Romance languages. For example,
Latin secūrum ‘sure, secure’ became Spanish seguro but French sûr; Latin vōcem ‘voice’ became
Spanish voz but French voix, pronounced vwa.
French grammar
French grammar, like that of the other Romance languages, has been greatly simplified
from that of Latin. Nouns are not declined for case. Formerly, they were marked for plural by the
addition of -s or -es, but the ending, though retained in spelling, has generally been lost in
speech. Masculine and feminine gender are distinguished but are usually marked not in the noun
but rather in the accompanying article or adjective. Plural marking in spoken French is often
similarly distinguished. The verb in French is conjugated for three persons, singular and plural,
but again, although distinguished in spelling, several of these forms are pronounced identically.
French has verb forms for indicative, imperative, and subjunctive moods; preterite, imperfect,
present, future, and conditional, and a variety of perfect and progressive tenses; and passive and
reflexive constructions.
Linguistic change was more rapid and more drastic in northern France than it was in other
European Romance regions, and influence from Latin was comparatively slight (though
borrowing of Latin vocabulary has been great since the 14th century). The influence of the
Germanic Frankish invaders is often held to account for exotic features in Old French, such as
strong stress accent and abundant use of diphthongs and nasal vowels, but by the 15th century
the language had begun to change, and a sober (even monotonous) intonation and loss of a stress
accent became characteristic. The popularity of French as a first foreign language, in spite of
numerous pronunciation difficulties for nearly all foreign speakers, is perhaps as much the result
of the precise codification of its grammar, effectuated especially during the 18th century, as of
the brilliance of its literature at all periods.
Other dialects are grouped
Modern dialects are classified mainly on a geographic basis, and most survive only in rural
areas. Walloon, spoken mainly in Belgium, is something of an exception in that it has had a
flourishing dialect literature since approximately 1600. Other dialects are grouped as follows:
Central: Francien, Orléanais, Bourbonnais, Champenois
Northern: Picard, Northern Norman
Eastern: Lorrain, Bourguignon (Burgundian), Franc-Comtois
Western: Norman, Gallo (around the Celtic Breton area), Angevin, Manceau
Southwestern: Poitevin, Saintongeais, Angoumois
Canadian French
Outside France, the French of Canada, originally probably of northwestern dialect type,
has developed the most individual features. Although 18th-century Canadian French was
regarded as exceptionally “pure” by metropolitan commentators, it began to diverge from
Parisian French after 1760 as a consequence of its isolation from the metropolis and of the
ever-stronger influence of English. Canadian French is less clearly articulated, with less lip
movement and with a more monotonous intonation, than standard French; some change in
consonantal sounds occurs (/t/ and /d/ shift to /ts/ and /dz/, respectively, and both k and g
become palatalized [pronounced with the tongue touching the hard palate, or roof of the
mouth] when followed by the letters i or e); nasal vowels tend to lose the nasal element;
vocabulary and syntax are heavily Anglicized.
Although intellectuals turn toward France for cultural inspiration, the pronunciation and
usage of standard French is sometimes derided by French Canadians; this may be because
their English compatriots are taught Parisian French at school. The French-speaking
population of Canada is growing relatively fast, and more than four-fifths of the population
of Quebec province uses French on a daily basis. The continuing activities of the separatist
movement provide evidence of the persistence of resentment among many French Canadians.
Letter signed by Eugène DelacroixLetter, signed by Eugène Delacroix, apologizing for a
period of silence during a bout of ill health, 1863; from a private collection.
French phonology is characterized by great changes in the sounds of words as compared
with their Latin parent forms as well as cognates in the other Romance languages. For example,
Latin secūrum ‘sure, secure’ became Spanish seguro but French sûr; Latin vōcem ‘voice’ became
Spanish voz but French voix, pronounced vwa.
French grammar
French grammar, like that of the other Romance languages, has been greatly simplified
from that of Latin. Nouns are not declined for case. Formerly, they were marked for plural by the
addition of -s or -es, but the ending, though retained in spelling, has generally been lost in
speech. Masculine and feminine gender are distinguished but are usually marked not in the noun
but rather in the accompanying article or adjective. Plural marking in spoken French is often
similarly distinguished. The verb in French is conjugated for three persons, singular and plural,
but again, although distinguished in spelling, several of these forms are pronounced identically.
French has verb forms for indicative, imperative, and subjunctive moods; preterite, imperfect,
present, future, and conditional, and a variety of perfect and progressive tenses; and passive and
reflexive constructions.
Linguistic change was more rapid and more drastic in northern France than it was in other
European Romance regions, and influence from Latin was comparatively slight (though
borrowing of Latin vocabulary has been great since the 14th century). The influence of the
Germanic Frankish invaders is often held to account for exotic features in Old French, such as
strong stress accent and abundant use of diphthongs and nasal vowels, but by the 15th century
the language had begun to change, and a sober (even monotonous) intonation and loss of a stress
accent became characteristic. The popularity of French as a first foreign language, in spite of
numerous pronunciation difficulties for nearly all foreign speakers, is perhaps as much the result
of the precise codification of its grammar, effectuated especially during the 18th century, as of
the brilliance of its literature at all periods.
Other dialects are grouped
Modern dialects are classified mainly on a geographic basis, and most survive only in rural
areas. Walloon, spoken mainly in Belgium, is something of an exception in that it has had a
flourishing dialect literature since approximately 1600. Other dialects are grouped as follows:
Central: Francien, Orléanais, Bourbonnais, Champenois
Northern: Picard, Northern Norman
Eastern: Lorrain, Bourguignon (Burgundian), Franc-Comtois
Western: Norman, Gallo (around the Celtic Breton area), Angevin, Manceau
Southwestern: Poitevin, Saintongeais, Angoumois
Canadian French
Outside France, the French of Canada, originally probably of northwestern dialect type,
has developed the most individual features. Although 18th-century Canadian French was
regarded as exceptionally “pure” by metropolitan commentators, it began to diverge from
Parisian French after 1760 as a consequence of its isolation from the metropolis and of the
ever-stronger influence of English. Canadian French is less clearly articulated, with less lip
movement and with a more monotonous intonation, than standard French; some change in
consonantal sounds occurs (/t/ and /d/ shift to /ts/ and /dz/, respectively, and both k and g
become palatalized [pronounced with the tongue touching the hard palate, or roof of the
mouth] when followed by the letters i or e); nasal vowels tend to lose the nasal element;
vocabulary and syntax are heavily Anglicized.
Although intellectuals turn toward France for cultural inspiration, the pronunciation and
usage of standard French is sometimes derided by French Canadians; this may be because
their English compatriots are taught Parisian French at school. The French-speaking
population of Canada is growing relatively fast, and more than four-fifths of the population
of Quebec province uses French on a daily basis. The continuing activities of the separatist
movement provide evidence of the persistence of resentment among many French Canadians.
Letter signed by Eugène DelacroixLetter, signed by Eugène Delacroix, apologizing for a
period of silence during a bout of ill health, 1863; from a private collection.
French phonology is characterized by great changes in the sounds of words as compared
with their Latin parent forms as well as cognates in the other Romance languages. For example,
Latin secūrum ‘sure, secure’ became Spanish seguro but French sûr; Latin vōcem ‘voice’ became
Spanish voz but French voix, pronounced vwa.
French grammar
French grammar, like that of the other Romance languages, has been greatly simplified
from that of Latin. Nouns are not declined for case. Formerly, they were marked for plural by the
addition of -s or -es, but the ending, though retained in spelling, has generally been lost in
speech. Masculine and feminine gender are distinguished but are usually marked not in the noun
but rather in the accompanying article or adjective. Plural marking in spoken French is often
similarly distinguished. The verb in French is conjugated for three persons, singular and plural,
but again, although distinguished in spelling, several of these forms are pronounced identically.
French has verb forms for indicative, imperative, and subjunctive moods; preterite, imperfect,
present, future, and conditional, and a variety of perfect and progressive tenses; and passive and
reflexive constructions.
Linguistic change was more rapid and more drastic in northern France than it was in other
European Romance regions, and influence from Latin was comparatively slight (though
borrowing of Latin vocabulary has been great since the 14th century). The influence of the
Germanic Frankish invaders is often held to account for exotic features in Old French, such as
strong stress accent and abundant use of diphthongs and nasal vowels, but by the 15th century
the language had begun to change, and a sober (even monotonous) intonation and loss of a stress
accent became characteristic. The popularity of French as a first foreign language, in spite of
numerous pronunciation difficulties for nearly all foreign speakers, is perhaps as much the result
of the precise codification of its grammar, effectuated especially during the 18th century, as of
the brilliance of its literature at all periods.
Other dialects are grouped
Modern dialects are classified mainly on a geographic basis, and most survive only in rural
areas. Walloon, spoken mainly in Belgium, is something of an exception in that it has had a
flourishing dialect literature since approximately 1600. Other dialects are grouped as follows:
Central: Francien, Orléanais, Bourbonnais, Champenois
Northern: Picard, Northern Norman
Eastern: Lorrain, Bourguignon (Burgundian), Franc-Comtois
Western: Norman, Gallo (around the Celtic Breton area), Angevin, Manceau
Southwestern: Poitevin, Saintongeais, Angoumois
Canadian French
Outside France, the French of Canada, originally probably of northwestern dialect type,
has developed the most individual features. Although 18th-century Canadian French was
regarded as exceptionally “pure” by metropolitan commentators, it began to diverge from
Parisian French after 1760 as a consequence of its isolation from the metropolis and of the
ever-stronger influence of English. Canadian French is less clearly articulated, with less lip
movement and with a more monotonous intonation, than standard French; some change in
consonantal sounds occurs (/t/ and /d/ shift to /ts/ and /dz/, respectively, and both k and g
become palatalized [pronounced with the tongue touching the hard palate, or roof of the
mouth] when followed by the letters i or e); nasal vowels tend to lose the nasal element;
vocabulary and syntax are heavily Anglicized.
Although intellectuals turn toward France for cultural inspiration, the pronunciation and
usage of standard French is sometimes derided by French Canadians; this may be because
their English compatriots are taught Parisian French at school. The French-speaking
population of Canada is growing relatively fast, and more than four-fifths of the population
of Quebec province uses French on a daily basis. The continuing activities of the separatist
movement provide evidence of the persistence of resentment among many French Canadians.
Letter signed by Eugène DelacroixLetter, signed by Eugène Delacroix, apologizing for a
period of silence during a bout of ill health, 1863; from a private collection.
French phonology is characterized by great changes in the sounds of words as compared
with their Latin parent forms as well as cognates in the other Romance languages. For example,
Latin secūrum ‘sure, secure’ became Spanish seguro but French sûr; Latin vōcem ‘voice’ became
Spanish voz but French voix, pronounced vwa.
French grammar
French grammar, like that of the other Romance languages, has been greatly simplified
from that of Latin. Nouns are not declined for case. Formerly, they were marked for plural by the
addition of -s or -es, but the ending, though retained in spelling, has generally been lost in
speech. Masculine and feminine gender are distinguished but are usually marked not in the noun
but rather in the accompanying article or adjective. Plural marking in spoken French is often
similarly distinguished. The verb in French is conjugated for three persons, singular and plural,
but again, although distinguished in spelling, several of these forms are pronounced identically.
French has verb forms for indicative, imperative, and subjunctive moods; preterite, imperfect,
present, future, and conditional, and a variety of perfect and progressive tenses; and passive and
reflexive constructions.
Linguistic change was more rapid and more drastic in northern France than it was in other
European Romance regions, and influence from Latin was comparatively slight (though
borrowing of Latin vocabulary has been great since the 14th century). The influence of the
Germanic Frankish invaders is often held to account for exotic features in Old French, such as
strong stress accent and abundant use of diphthongs and nasal vowels, but by the 15th century
the language had begun to change, and a sober (even monotonous) intonation and loss of a stress
accent became characteristic. The popularity of French as a first foreign language, in spite of
numerous pronunciation difficulties for nearly all foreign speakers, is perhaps as much the result
of the precise codification of its grammar, effectuated especially during the 18th century, as of
the brilliance of its literature at all periods.
Other dialects are grouped
Modern dialects are classified mainly on a geographic basis, and most survive only in rural
areas. Walloon, spoken mainly in Belgium, is something of an exception in that it has had a
flourishing dialect literature since approximately 1600. Other dialects are grouped as follows:
Central: Francien, Orléanais, Bourbonnais, Champenois
Northern: Picard, Northern Norman
Eastern: Lorrain, Bourguignon (Burgundian), Franc-Comtois
Western: Norman, Gallo (around the Celtic Breton area), Angevin, Manceau
Southwestern: Poitevin, Saintongeais, Angoumois
Canadian French
Outside France, the French of Canada, originally probably of northwestern dialect type,
has developed the most individual features. Although 18th-century Canadian French was
regarded as exceptionally “pure” by metropolitan commentators, it began to diverge from
Parisian French after 1760 as a consequence of its isolation from the metropolis and of the
ever-stronger influence of English. Canadian French is less clearly articulated, with less lip
movement and with a more monotonous intonation, than standard French; some change in
consonantal sounds occurs (/t/ and /d/ shift to /ts/ and /dz/, respectively, and both k and g
become palatalized [pronounced with the tongue touching the hard palate, or roof of the
mouth] when followed by the letters i or e); nasal vowels tend to lose the nasal element;
vocabulary and syntax are heavily Anglicized.
Although intellectuals turn toward France for cultural inspiration, the pronunciation and
usage of standard French is sometimes derided by French Canadians; this may be because
their English compatriots are taught Parisian French at school. The French-speaking
population of Canada is growing relatively fast, and more than four-fifths of the population
of Quebec province uses French on a daily basis. The continuing activities of the separatist
movement provide evidence of the persistence of resentment among many French Canadians.
Letter signed by Eugène DelacroixLetter, signed by Eugène Delacroix, apologizing for a
period of silence during a bout of ill health, 1863; from a private collection.
French phonology is characterized by great changes in the sounds of words as compared
with their Latin parent forms as well as cognates in the other Romance languages. For example,
Latin secūrum ‘sure, secure’ became Spanish seguro but French sûr; Latin vōcem ‘voice’ became
Spanish voz but French voix, pronounced vwa.
French grammar
French grammar, like that of the other Romance languages, has been greatly simplified
from that of Latin. Nouns are not declined for case. Formerly, they were marked for plural by the
addition of -s or -es, but the ending, though retained in spelling, has generally been lost in
speech. Masculine and feminine gender are distinguished but are usually marked not in the noun
but rather in the accompanying article or adjective. Plural marking in spoken French is often
similarly distinguished. The verb in French is conjugated for three persons, singular and plural,
but again, although distinguished in spelling, several of these forms are pronounced identically.
French has verb forms for indicative, imperative, and subjunctive moods; preterite, imperfect,
present, future, and conditional, and a variety of perfect and progressive tenses; and passive and
reflexive constructions.
Linguistic change was more rapid and more drastic in northern France than it was in other
European Romance regions, and influence from Latin was comparatively slight (though
borrowing of Latin vocabulary has been great since the 14th century). The influence of the
Germanic Frankish invaders is often held to account for exotic features in Old French, such as
strong stress accent and abundant use of diphthongs and nasal vowels, but by the 15th century
the language had begun to change, and a sober (even monotonous) intonation and loss of a stress
accent became characteristic. The popularity of French as a first foreign language, in spite of
numerous pronunciation difficulties for nearly all foreign speakers, is perhaps as much the result
of the precise codification of its grammar, effectuated especially during the 18th century, as of
the brilliance of its literature at all periods.
Other dialects are grouped
Modern dialects are classified mainly on a geographic basis, and most survive only in rural
areas. Walloon, spoken mainly in Belgium, is something of an exception in that it has had a
flourishing dialect literature since approximately 1600. Other dialects are grouped as follows:
Central: Francien, Orléanais, Bourbonnais, Champenois
Northern: Picard, Northern Norman
Eastern: Lorrain, Bourguignon (Burgundian), Franc-Comtois
Western: Norman, Gallo (around the Celtic Breton area), Angevin, Manceau
Southwestern: Poitevin, Saintongeais, Angoumois
Canadian French
Outside France, the French of Canada, originally probably of northwestern dialect type,
has developed the most individual features. Although 18th-century Canadian French was
regarded as exceptionally “pure” by metropolitan commentators, it began to diverge from
Parisian French after 1760 as a consequence of its isolation from the metropolis and of the
ever-stronger influence of English. Canadian French is less clearly articulated, with less lip
movement and with a more monotonous intonation, than standard French; some change in
consonantal sounds occurs (/t/ and /d/ shift to /ts/ and /dz/, respectively, and both k and g
become palatalized [pronounced with the tongue touching the hard palate, or roof of the
mouth] when followed by the letters i or e); nasal vowels tend to lose the nasal element;
vocabulary and syntax are heavily Anglicized.
Although intellectuals turn toward France for cultural inspiration, the pronunciation and
usage of standard French is sometimes derided by French Canadians; this may be because
their English compatriots are taught Parisian French at school. The French-speaking
population of Canada is growing relatively fast, and more than four-fifths of the population
of Quebec province uses French on a daily basis. The continuing activities of the separatist
movement provide evidence of the persistence of resentment among many French Canadians.
Letter signed by Eugène DelacroixLetter, signed by Eugène Delacroix, apologizing for a
period of silence during a bout of ill health, 1863; from a private collection.
French phonology is characterized by great changes in the sounds of words as compared
with their Latin parent forms as well as cognates in the other Romance languages. For example,
Latin secūrum ‘sure, secure’ became Spanish seguro but French sûr; Latin vōcem ‘voice’ became
Spanish voz but French voix, pronounced vwa.
French grammar
French grammar, like that of the other Romance languages, has been greatly simplified
from that of Latin. Nouns are not declined for case. Formerly, they were marked for plural by the
addition of -s or -es, but the ending, though retained in spelling, has generally been lost in
speech. Masculine and feminine gender are distinguished but are usually marked not in the noun
but rather in the accompanying article or adjective. Plural marking in spoken French is often
similarly distinguished. The verb in French is conjugated for three persons, singular and plural,
but again, although distinguished in spelling, several of these forms are pronounced identically.
French has verb forms for indicative, imperative, and subjunctive moods; preterite, imperfect,
present, future, and conditional, and a variety of perfect and progressive tenses; and passive and
reflexive constructions.
Linguistic change was more rapid and more drastic in northern France than it was in other
European Romance regions, and influence from Latin was comparatively slight (though
borrowing of Latin vocabulary has been great since the 14th century). The influence of the
Germanic Frankish invaders is often held to account for exotic features in Old French, such as
strong stress accent and abundant use of diphthongs and nasal vowels, but by the 15th century
the language had begun to change, and a sober (even monotonous) intonation and loss of a stress
accent became characteristic. The popularity of French as a first foreign language, in spite of
numerous pronunciation difficulties for nearly all foreign speakers, is perhaps as much the result
of the precise codification of its grammar, effectuated especially during the 18th century, as of
the brilliance of its literature at all periods.
Other dialects are grouped
Modern dialects are classified mainly on a geographic basis, and most survive only in rural
areas. Walloon, spoken mainly in Belgium, is something of an exception in that it has had a
flourishing dialect literature since approximately 1600. Other dialects are grouped as follows:
Central: Francien, Orléanais, Bourbonnais, Champenois
Northern: Picard, Northern Norman
Eastern: Lorrain, Bourguignon (Burgundian), Franc-Comtois
Western: Norman, Gallo (around the Celtic Breton area), Angevin, Manceau
Southwestern: Poitevin, Saintongeais, Angoumois
Canadian French
Outside France, the French of Canada, originally probably of northwestern dialect type,
has developed the most individual features. Although 18th-century Canadian French was
regarded as exceptionally “pure” by metropolitan commentators, it began to diverge from
Parisian French after 1760 as a consequence of its isolation from the metropolis and of the
ever-stronger influence of English. Canadian French is less clearly articulated, with less lip
movement and with a more monotonous intonation, than standard French; some change in
consonantal sounds occurs (/t/ and /d/ shift to /ts/ and /dz/, respectively, and both k and g
become palatalized [pronounced with the tongue touching the hard palate, or roof of the
mouth] when followed by the letters i or e); nasal vowels tend to lose the nasal element;
vocabulary and syntax are heavily Anglicized.
Although intellectuals turn toward France for cultural inspiration, the pronunciation and
usage of standard French is sometimes derided by French Canadians; this may be because
their English compatriots are taught Parisian French at school. The French-speaking
population of Canada is growing relatively fast, and more than four-fifths of the population
of Quebec province uses French on a daily basis. The continuing activities of the separatist
movement provide evidence of the persistence of resentment among many French Canadians.
Letter signed by Eugène DelacroixLetter, signed by Eugène Delacroix, apologizing for a
period of silence during a bout of ill health, 1863; from a private collection.
French phonology is characterized by great changes in the sounds of words as compared
with their Latin parent forms as well as cognates in the other Romance languages. For example,
Latin secūrum ‘sure, secure’ became Spanish seguro but French sûr; Latin vōcem ‘voice’ became
Spanish voz but French voix, pronounced vwa.
French grammar
French grammar, like that of the other Romance languages, has been greatly simplified
from that of Latin. Nouns are not declined for case. Formerly, they were marked for plural by the
addition of -s or -es, but the ending, though retained in spelling, has generally been lost in
speech. Masculine and feminine gender are distinguished but are usually marked not in the noun
but rather in the accompanying article or adjective. Plural marking in spoken French is often
similarly distinguished. The verb in French is conjugated for three persons, singular and plural,
but again, although distinguished in spelling, several of these forms are pronounced identically.
French has verb forms for indicative, imperative, and subjunctive moods; preterite, imperfect,
present, future, and conditional, and a variety of perfect and progressive tenses; and passive and
reflexive constructions.
Linguistic change was more rapid and more drastic in northern France than it was in other
European Romance regions, and influence from Latin was comparatively slight (though
borrowing of Latin vocabulary has been great since the 14th century). The influence of the
Germanic Frankish invaders is often held to account for exotic features in Old French, such as
strong stress accent and abundant use of diphthongs and nasal vowels, but by the 15th century
the language had begun to change, and a sober (even monotonous) intonation and loss of a stress
accent became characteristic. The popularity of French as a first foreign language, in spite of
numerous pronunciation difficulties for nearly all foreign speakers, is perhaps as much the result
of the precise codification of its grammar, effectuated especially during the 18th century, as of
the brilliance of its literature at all periods.
Other dialects are grouped
Modern dialects are classified mainly on a geographic basis, and most survive only in rural
areas. Walloon, spoken mainly in Belgium, is something of an exception in that it has had a
flourishing dialect literature since approximately 1600. Other dialects are grouped as follows:
Central: Francien, Orléanais, Bourbonnais, Champenois
Northern: Picard, Northern Norman
Eastern: Lorrain, Bourguignon (Burgundian), Franc-Comtois
Western: Norman, Gallo (around the Celtic Breton area), Angevin, Manceau
Southwestern: Poitevin, Saintongeais, Angoumois
Canadian French
Outside France, the French of Canada, originally probably of northwestern dialect type,
has developed the most individual features. Although 18th-century Canadian French was
regarded as exceptionally “pure” by metropolitan commentators, it began to diverge from
Parisian French after 1760 as a consequence of its isolation from the metropolis and of the
ever-stronger influence of English. Canadian French is less clearly articulated, with less lip
movement and with a more monotonous intonation, than standard French; some change in
consonantal sounds occurs (/t/ and /d/ shift to /ts/ and /dz/, respectively, and both k and g
become palatalized [pronounced with the tongue touching the hard palate, or roof of the
mouth] when followed by the letters i or e); nasal vowels tend to lose the nasal element;
vocabulary and syntax are heavily Anglicized.
Although intellectuals turn toward France for cultural inspiration, the pronunciation and
usage of standard French is sometimes derided by French Canadians; this may be because
their English compatriots are taught Parisian French at school. The French-speaking
population of Canada is growing relatively fast, and more than four-fifths of the population
of Quebec province uses French on a daily basis. The continuing activities of the separatist
movement provide evidence of the persistence of resentment among many French Canadians.
Letter signed by Eugène DelacroixLetter, signed by Eugène Delacroix, apologizing for a
period of silence during a bout of ill health, 1863; from a private collection.
French phonology is characterized by great changes in the sounds of words as compared
with their Latin parent forms as well as cognates in the other Romance languages. For example,
Latin secūrum ‘sure, secure’ became Spanish seguro but French sûr; Latin vōcem ‘voice’ became
Spanish voz but French voix, pronounced vwa.
French grammar
French grammar, like that of the other Romance languages, has been greatly simplified
from that of Latin. Nouns are not declined for case. Formerly, they were marked for plural by the
addition of -s or -es, but the ending, though retained in spelling, has generally been lost in
speech. Masculine and feminine gender are distinguished but are usually marked not in the noun
but rather in the accompanying article or adjective. Plural marking in spoken French is often
similarly distinguished. The verb in French is conjugated for three persons, singular and plural,
but again, although distinguished in spelling, several of these forms are pronounced identically.
French has verb forms for indicative, imperative, and subjunctive moods; preterite, imperfect,
present, future, and conditional, and a variety of perfect and progressive tenses; and passive and
reflexive constructions.
Linguistic change was more rapid and more drastic in northern France than it was in other
European Romance regions, and influence from Latin was comparatively slight (though
borrowing of Latin vocabulary has been great since the 14th century). The influence of the
Germanic Frankish invaders is often held to account for exotic features in Old French, such as
strong stress accent and abundant use of diphthongs and nasal vowels, but by the 15th century
the language had begun to change, and a sober (even monotonous) intonation and loss of a stress
accent became characteristic. The popularity of French as a first foreign language, in spite of
numerous pronunciation difficulties for nearly all foreign speakers, is perhaps as much the result
of the precise codification of its grammar, effectuated especially during the 18th century, as of
the brilliance of its literature at all periods.
Other dialects are grouped
Modern dialects are classified mainly on a geographic basis, and most survive only in rural
areas. Walloon, spoken mainly in Belgium, is something of an exception in that it has had a
flourishing dialect literature since approximately 1600. Other dialects are grouped as follows:
Central: Francien, Orléanais, Bourbonnais, Champenois
Northern: Picard, Northern Norman
Eastern: Lorrain, Bourguignon (Burgundian), Franc-Comtois
Western: Norman, Gallo (around the Celtic Breton area), Angevin, Manceau
Southwestern: Poitevin, Saintongeais, Angoumois
Canadian French
Outside France, the French of Canada, originally probably of northwestern dialect type,
has developed the most individual features. Although 18th-century Canadian French was
regarded as exceptionally “pure” by metropolitan commentators, it began to diverge from
Parisian French after 1760 as a consequence of its isolation from the metropolis and of the
ever-stronger influence of English. Canadian French is less clearly articulated, with less lip
movement and with a more monotonous intonation, than standard French; some change in
consonantal sounds occurs (/t/ and /d/ shift to /ts/ and /dz/, respectively, and both k and g
become palatalized [pronounced with the tongue touching the hard palate, or roof of the
mouth] when followed by the letters i or e); nasal vowels tend to lose the nasal element;
vocabulary and syntax are heavily Anglicized.
Although intellectuals turn toward France for cultural inspiration, the pronunciation and
usage of standard French is sometimes derided by French Canadians; this may be because
their English compatriots are taught Parisian French at school. The French-speaking
population of Canada is growing relatively fast, and more than four-fifths of the population
of Quebec province uses French on a daily basis. The continuing activities of the separatist
movement provide evidence of the persistence of resentment among many French Canadians.
Letter signed by Eugène DelacroixLetter, signed by Eugène Delacroix, apologizing for a
period of silence during a bout of ill health, 1863; from a private collection.
French phonology is characterized by great changes in the sounds of words as compared
with their Latin parent forms as well as cognates in the other Romance languages. For example,
Latin secūrum ‘sure, secure’ became Spanish seguro but French sûr; Latin vōcem ‘voice’ became
Spanish voz but French voix, pronounced vwa.
French grammar
French grammar, like that of the other Romance languages, has been greatly simplified
from that of Latin. Nouns are not declined for case. Formerly, they were marked for plural by the
addition of -s or -es, but the ending, though retained in spelling, has generally been lost in
speech. Masculine and feminine gender are distinguished but are usually marked not in the noun
but rather in the accompanying article or adjective. Plural marking in spoken French is often
similarly distinguished. The verb in French is conjugated for three persons, singular and plural,
but again, although distinguished in spelling, several of these forms are pronounced identically.
French has verb forms for indicative, imperative, and subjunctive moods; preterite, imperfect,
present, future, and conditional, and a variety of perfect and progressive tenses; and passive and
reflexive constructions.
Linguistic change was more rapid and more drastic in northern France than it was in other
European Romance regions, and influence from Latin was comparatively slight (though
borrowing of Latin vocabulary has been great since the 14th century). The influence of the
Germanic Frankish invaders is often held to account for exotic features in Old French, such as
strong stress accent and abundant use of diphthongs and nasal vowels, but by the 15th century
the language had begun to change, and a sober (even monotonous) intonation and loss of a stress
accent became characteristic. The popularity of French as a first foreign language, in spite of
numerous pronunciation difficulties for nearly all foreign speakers, is perhaps as much the result
of the precise codification of its grammar, effectuated especially during the 18th century, as of
the brilliance of its literature at all periods.
Other dialects are grouped
Modern dialects are classified mainly on a geographic basis, and most survive only in rural
areas. Walloon, spoken mainly in Belgium, is something of an exception in that it has had a
flourishing dialect literature since approximately 1600. Other dialects are grouped as follows:
Central: Francien, Orléanais, Bourbonnais, Champenois
Northern: Picard, Northern Norman
Eastern: Lorrain, Bourguignon (Burgundian), Franc-Comtois
Western: Norman, Gallo (around the Celtic Breton area), Angevin, Manceau
Southwestern: Poitevin, Saintongeais, Angoumois
Canadian French
Outside France, the French of Canada, originally probably of northwestern dialect type,
has developed the most individual features. Although 18th-century Canadian French was
regarded as exceptionally “pure” by metropolitan commentators, it began to diverge from
Parisian French after 1760 as a consequence of its isolation from the metropolis and of the
ever-stronger influence of English. Canadian French is less clearly articulated, with less lip
movement and with a more monotonous intonation, than standard French; some change in
consonantal sounds occurs (/t/ and /d/ shift to /ts/ and /dz/, respectively, and both k and g
become palatalized [pronounced with the tongue touching the hard palate, or roof of the
mouth] when followed by the letters i or e); nasal vowels tend to lose the nasal element;
vocabulary and syntax are heavily Anglicized.
Although intellectuals turn toward France for cultural inspiration, the pronunciation and
usage of standard French is sometimes derided by French Canadians; this may be because
their English compatriots are taught Parisian French at school. The French-speaking
population of Canada is growing relatively fast, and more than four-fifths of the population
of Quebec province uses French on a daily basis. The continuing activities of the separatist
movement provide evidence of the persistence of resentment among many French Canadians.
Letter signed by Eugène DelacroixLetter, signed by Eugène Delacroix, apologizing for a
period of silence during a bout of ill health, 1863; from a private collection.
French phonology is characterized by great changes in the sounds of words as compared
with their Latin parent forms as well as cognates in the other Romance languages. For example,
Latin secūrum ‘sure, secure’ became Spanish seguro but French sûr; Latin vōcem ‘voice’ became
Spanish voz but French voix, pronounced vwa.
French grammar
French grammar, like that of the other Romance languages, has been greatly simplified
from that of Latin. Nouns are not declined for case. Formerly, they were marked for plural by the
addition of -s or -es, but the ending, though retained in spelling, has generally been lost in
speech. Masculine and feminine gender are distinguished but are usually marked not in the noun
but rather in the accompanying article or adjective. Plural marking in spoken French is often
similarly distinguished. The verb in French is conjugated for three persons, singular and plural,
but again, although distinguished in spelling, several of these forms are pronounced identically.
French has verb forms for indicative, imperative, and subjunctive moods; preterite, imperfect,
present, future, and conditional, and a variety of perfect and progressive tenses; and passive and
reflexive constructions.
Linguistic change was more rapid and more drastic in northern France than it was in other
European Romance regions, and influence from Latin was comparatively slight (though
borrowing of Latin vocabulary has been great since the 14th century). The influence of the
Germanic Frankish invaders is often held to account for exotic features in Old French, such as
strong stress accent and abundant use of diphthongs and nasal vowels, but by the 15th century
the language had begun to change, and a sober (even monotonous) intonation and loss of a stress
accent became characteristic. The popularity of French as a first foreign language, in spite of
numerous pronunciation difficulties for nearly all foreign speakers, is perhaps as much the result
of the precise codification of its grammar, effectuated especially during the 18th century, as of
the brilliance of its literature at all periods.
Other dialects are grouped
Modern dialects are classified mainly on a geographic basis, and most survive only in rural
areas. Walloon, spoken mainly in Belgium, is something of an exception in that it has had a
flourishing dialect literature since approximately 1600. Other dialects are grouped as follows:
Central: Francien, Orléanais, Bourbonnais, Champenois
Northern: Picard, Northern Norman
Eastern: Lorrain, Bourguignon (Burgundian), Franc-Comtois
Western: Norman, Gallo (around the Celtic Breton area), Angevin, Manceau
Southwestern: Poitevin, Saintongeais, Angoumois
Canadian French
Outside France, the French of Canada, originally probably of northwestern dialect type,
has developed the most individual features. Although 18th-century Canadian French was
regarded as exceptionally “pure” by metropolitan commentators, it began to diverge from
Parisian French after 1760 as a consequence of its isolation from the metropolis and of the
ever-stronger influence of English. Canadian French is less clearly articulated, with less lip
movement and with a more monotonous intonation, than standard French; some change in
consonantal sounds occurs (/t/ and /d/ shift to /ts/ and /dz/, respectively, and both k and g
become palatalized [pronounced with the tongue touching the hard palate, or roof of the
mouth] when followed by the letters i or e); nasal vowels tend to lose the nasal element;
vocabulary and syntax are heavily Anglicized.
Although intellectuals turn toward France for cultural inspiration, the pronunciation and
usage of standard French is sometimes derided by French Canadians; this may be because
their English compatriots are taught Parisian French at school. The French-speaking
population of Canada is growing relatively fast, and more than four-fifths of the population
of Quebec province uses French on a daily basis. The continuing activities of the separatist
movement provide evidence of the persistence of resentment among many French Canadians.
Letter signed by Eugène DelacroixLetter, signed by Eugène Delacroix, apologizing for a
period of silence during a bout of ill health, 1863; from a private collection.
French phonology is characterized by great changes in the sounds of words as compared
with their Latin parent forms as well as cognates in the other Romance languages. For example,
Latin secūrum ‘sure, secure’ became Spanish seguro but French sûr; Latin vōcem ‘voice’ became
Spanish voz but French voix, pronounced vwa.
French grammar
French grammar, like that of the other Romance languages, has been greatly simplified
from that of Latin. Nouns are not declined for case. Formerly, they were marked for plural by the
addition of -s or -es, but the ending, though retained in spelling, has generally been lost in
speech. Masculine and feminine gender are distinguished but are usually marked not in the noun
but rather in the accompanying article or adjective. Plural marking in spoken French is often
similarly distinguished. The verb in French is conjugated for three persons, singular and plural,
but again, although distinguished in spelling, several of these forms are pronounced identically.
French has verb forms for indicative, imperative, and subjunctive moods; preterite, imperfect,
present, future, and conditional, and a variety of perfect and progressive tenses; and passive and
reflexive constructions.
Linguistic change was more rapid and more drastic in northern France than it was in other
European Romance regions, and influence from Latin was comparatively slight (though
borrowing of Latin vocabulary has been great since the 14th century). The influence of the
Germanic Frankish invaders is often held to account for exotic features in Old French, such as
strong stress accent and abundant use of diphthongs and nasal vowels, but by the 15th century
the language had begun to change, and a sober (even monotonous) intonation and loss of a stress
accent became characteristic. The popularity of French as a first foreign language, in spite of
numerous pronunciation difficulties for nearly all foreign speakers, is perhaps as much the result
of the precise codification of its grammar, effectuated especially during the 18th century, as of
the brilliance of its literature at all periods.
Other dialects are grouped
Modern dialects are classified mainly on a geographic basis, and most survive only in rural
areas. Walloon, spoken mainly in Belgium, is something of an exception in that it has had a
flourishing dialect literature since approximately 1600. Other dialects are grouped as follows:
Central: Francien, Orléanais, Bourbonnais, Champenois
Northern: Picard, Northern Norman
Eastern: Lorrain, Bourguignon (Burgundian), Franc-Comtois
Western: Norman, Gallo (around the Celtic Breton area), Angevin, Manceau
Southwestern: Poitevin, Saintongeais, Angoumois
Canadian French
Outside France, the French of Canada, originally probably of northwestern dialect type,
has developed the most individual features. Although 18th-century Canadian French was
regarded as exceptionally “pure” by metropolitan commentators, it began to diverge from
Parisian French after 1760 as a consequence of its isolation from the metropolis and of the
ever-stronger influence of English. Canadian French is less clearly articulated, with less lip
movement and with a more monotonous intonation, than standard French; some change in
consonantal sounds occurs (/t/ and /d/ shift to /ts/ and /dz/, respectively, and both k and g
become palatalized [pronounced with the tongue touching the hard palate, or roof of the
mouth] when followed by the letters i or e); nasal vowels tend to lose the nasal element;
vocabulary and syntax are heavily Anglicized.
Although intellectuals turn toward France for cultural inspiration, the pronunciation and
usage of standard French is sometimes derided by French Canadians; this may be because
their English compatriots are taught Parisian French at school. The French-speaking
population of Canada is growing relatively fast, and more than four-fifths of the population
of Quebec province uses French on a daily basis. The continuing activities of the separatist
movement provide evidence of the persistence of resentment among many French Canadians.
Letter signed by Eugène DelacroixLetter, signed by Eugène Delacroix, apologizing for a
period of silence during a bout of ill health, 1863; from a private collection.
French phonology is characterized by great changes in the sounds of words as compared
with their Latin parent forms as well as cognates in the other Romance languages. For example,
Latin secūrum ‘sure, secure’ became Spanish seguro but French sûr; Latin vōcem ‘voice’ became
Spanish voz but French voix, pronounced vwa.
French grammar
French grammar, like that of the other Romance languages, has been greatly simplified
from that of Latin. Nouns are not declined for case. Formerly, they were marked for plural by the
addition of -s or -es, but the ending, though retained in spelling, has generally been lost in
speech. Masculine and feminine gender are distinguished but are usually marked not in the noun
but rather in the accompanying article or adjective. Plural marking in spoken French is often
similarly distinguished. The verb in French is conjugated for three persons, singular and plural,
but again, although distinguished in spelling, several of these forms are pronounced identically.
French has verb forms for indicative, imperative, and subjunctive moods; preterite, imperfect,
present, future, and conditional, and a variety of perfect and progressive tenses; and passive and
reflexive constructions.
Linguistic change was more rapid and more drastic in northern France than it was in other
European Romance regions, and influence from Latin was comparatively slight (though
borrowing of Latin vocabulary has been great since the 14th century). The influence of the
Germanic Frankish invaders is often held to account for exotic features in Old French, such as
strong stress accent and abundant use of diphthongs and nasal vowels, but by the 15th century
the language had begun to change, and a sober (even monotonous) intonation and loss of a stress
accent became characteristic. The popularity of French as a first foreign language, in spite of
numerous pronunciation difficulties for nearly all foreign speakers, is perhaps as much the result
of the precise codification of its grammar, effectuated especially during the 18th century, as of
the brilliance of its literature at all periods.
Other dialects are grouped
Modern dialects are classified mainly on a geographic basis, and most survive only in rural
areas. Walloon, spoken mainly in Belgium, is something of an exception in that it has had a
flourishing dialect literature since approximately 1600. Other dialects are grouped as follows:
Central: Francien, Orléanais, Bourbonnais, Champenois
Northern: Picard, Northern Norman
Eastern: Lorrain, Bourguignon (Burgundian), Franc-Comtois
Western: Norman, Gallo (around the Celtic Breton area), Angevin, Manceau
Southwestern: Poitevin, Saintongeais, Angoumois
Canadian French
Outside France, the French of Canada, originally probably of northwestern dialect type,
has developed the most individual features. Although 18th-century Canadian French was
regarded as exceptionally “pure” by metropolitan commentators, it began to diverge from
Parisian French after 1760 as a consequence of its isolation from the metropolis and of the
ever-stronger influence of English. Canadian French is less clearly articulated, with less lip
movement and with a more monotonous intonation, than standard French; some change in
consonantal sounds occurs (/t/ and /d/ shift to /ts/ and /dz/, respectively, and both k and g
become palatalized [pronounced with the tongue touching the hard palate, or roof of the
mouth] when followed by the letters i or e); nasal vowels tend to lose the nasal element;
vocabulary and syntax are heavily Anglicized.
Although intellectuals turn toward France for cultural inspiration, the pronunciation and
usage of standard French is sometimes derided by French Canadians; this may be because
their English compatriots are taught Parisian French at school. The French-speaking
population of Canada is growing relatively fast, and more than four-fifths of the population
of Quebec province uses French on a daily basis. The continuing activities of the separatist
movement provide evidence of the persistence of resentment among many French Canadians.
Letter signed by Eugène DelacroixLetter, signed by Eugène Delacroix, apologizing for a
period of silence during a bout of ill health, 1863; from a private collection.
French phonology is characterized by great changes in the sounds of words as compared
with their Latin parent forms as well as cognates in the other Romance languages. For example,
Latin secūrum ‘sure, secure’ became Spanish seguro but French sûr; Latin vōcem ‘voice’ became
Spanish voz but French voix, pronounced vwa.
French grammar
French grammar, like that of the other Romance languages, has been greatly simplified
from that of Latin. Nouns are not declined for case. Formerly, they were marked for plural by the
addition of -s or -es, but the ending, though retained in spelling, has generally been lost in
speech. Masculine and feminine gender are distinguished but are usually marked not in the noun
but rather in the accompanying article or adjective. Plural marking in spoken French is often
similarly distinguished. The verb in French is conjugated for three persons, singular and plural,
but again, although distinguished in spelling, several of these forms are pronounced identically.
French has verb forms for indicative, imperative, and subjunctive moods; preterite, imperfect,
present, future, and conditional, and a variety of perfect and progressive tenses; and passive and
reflexive constructions.
Linguistic change was more rapid and more drastic in northern France than it was in other
European Romance regions, and influence from Latin was comparatively slight (though
borrowing of Latin vocabulary has been great since the 14th century). The influence of the
Germanic Frankish invaders is often held to account for exotic features in Old French, such as
strong stress accent and abundant use of diphthongs and nasal vowels, but by the 15th century
the language had begun to change, and a sober (even monotonous) intonation and loss of a stress
accent became characteristic. The popularity of French as a first foreign language, in spite of
numerous pronunciation difficulties for nearly all foreign speakers, is perhaps as much the result
of the precise codification of its grammar, effectuated especially during the 18th century, as of
the brilliance of its literature at all periods.
Other dialects are grouped
Modern dialects are classified mainly on a geographic basis, and most survive only in rural
areas. Walloon, spoken mainly in Belgium, is something of an exception in that it has had a
flourishing dialect literature since approximately 1600. Other dialects are grouped as follows:
Central: Francien, Orléanais, Bourbonnais, Champenois
Northern: Picard, Northern Norman
Eastern: Lorrain, Bourguignon (Burgundian), Franc-Comtois
Western: Norman, Gallo (around the Celtic Breton area), Angevin, Manceau
Southwestern: Poitevin, Saintongeais, Angoumois
Canadian French
Outside France, the French of Canada, originally probably of northwestern dialect type,
has developed the most individual features. Although 18th-century Canadian French was
regarded as exceptionally “pure” by metropolitan commentators, it began to diverge from
Parisian French after 1760 as a consequence of its isolation from the metropolis and of the
ever-stronger influence of English. Canadian French is less clearly articulated, with less lip
movement and with a more monotonous intonation, than standard French; some change in
consonantal sounds occurs (/t/ and /d/ shift to /ts/ and /dz/, respectively, and both k and g
become palatalized [pronounced with the tongue touching the hard palate, or roof of the
mouth] when followed by the letters i or e); nasal vowels tend to lose the nasal element;
vocabulary and syntax are heavily Anglicized.
Although intellectuals turn toward France for cultural inspiration, the pronunciation and
usage of standard French is sometimes derided by French Canadians; this may be because
their English compatriots are taught Parisian French at school. The French-speaking
population of Canada is growing relatively fast, and more than four-fifths of the population
of Quebec province uses French on a daily basis. The continuing activities of the separatist
movement provide evidence of the persistence of resentment among many French Canadians.
Letter signed by Eugène DelacroixLetter, signed by Eugène Delacroix, apologizing for a
period of silence during a bout of ill health, 1863; from a private collection.
French phonology is characterized by great changes in the sounds of words as compared
with their Latin parent forms as well as cognates in the other Romance languages. For example,
Latin secūrum ‘sure, secure’ became Spanish seguro but French sûr; Latin vōcem ‘voice’ became
Spanish voz but French voix, pronounced vwa.
French grammar
French grammar, like that of the other Romance languages, has been greatly simplified
from that of Latin. Nouns are not declined for case. Formerly, they were marked for plural by the
addition of -s or -es, but the ending, though retained in spelling, has generally been lost in
speech. Masculine and feminine gender are distinguished but are usually marked not in the noun
but rather in the accompanying article or adjective. Plural marking in spoken French is often
similarly distinguished. The verb in French is conjugated for three persons, singular and plural,
but again, although distinguished in spelling, several of these forms are pronounced identically.
French has verb forms for indicative, imperative, and subjunctive moods; preterite, imperfect,
present, future, and conditional, and a variety of perfect and progressive tenses; and passive and
reflexive constructions.
Linguistic change was more rapid and more drastic in northern France than it was in other
European Romance regions, and influence from Latin was comparatively slight (though
borrowing of Latin vocabulary has been great since the 14th century). The influence of the
Germanic Frankish invaders is often held to account for exotic features in Old French, such as
strong stress accent and abundant use of diphthongs and nasal vowels, but by the 15th century
the language had begun to change, and a sober (even monotonous) intonation and loss of a stress
accent became characteristic. The popularity of French as a first foreign language, in spite of
numerous pronunciation difficulties for nearly all foreign speakers, is perhaps as much the result
of the precise codification of its grammar, effectuated especially during the 18th century, as of
the brilliance of its literature at all periods.
Other dialects are grouped
Modern dialects are classified mainly on a geographic basis, and most survive only in rural
areas. Walloon, spoken mainly in Belgium, is something of an exception in that it has had a
flourishing dialect literature since approximately 1600. Other dialects are grouped as follows:
Central: Francien, Orléanais, Bourbonnais, Champenois
Northern: Picard, Northern Norman
Eastern: Lorrain, Bourguignon (Burgundian), Franc-Comtois
Western: Norman, Gallo (around the Celtic Breton area), Angevin, Manceau
Southwestern: Poitevin, Saintongeais, Angoumois
Canadian French
Outside France, the French of Canada, originally probably of northwestern dialect type,
has developed the most individual features. Although 18th-century Canadian French was
regarded as exceptionally “pure” by metropolitan commentators, it began to diverge from
Parisian French after 1760 as a consequence of its isolation from the metropolis and of the
ever-stronger influence of English. Canadian French is less clearly articulated, with less lip
movement and with a more monotonous intonation, than standard French; some change in
consonantal sounds occurs (/t/ and /d/ shift to /ts/ and /dz/, respectively, and both k and g
become palatalized [pronounced with the tongue touching the hard palate, or roof of the
mouth] when followed by the letters i or e); nasal vowels tend to lose the nasal element;
vocabulary and syntax are heavily Anglicized.
Although intellectuals turn toward France for cultural inspiration, the pronunciation and
usage of standard French is sometimes derided by French Canadians; this may be because
their English compatriots are taught Parisian French at school. The French-speaking
population of Canada is growing relatively fast, and more than four-fifths of the population
of Quebec province uses French on a daily basis. The continuing activities of the separatist
movement provide evidence of the persistence of resentment among many French Canadians.
Letter signed by Eugène DelacroixLetter, signed by Eugène Delacroix, apologizing for a
period of silence during a bout of ill health, 1863; from a private collection.
French phonology is characterized by great changes in the sounds of words as compared
with their Latin parent forms as well as cognates in the other Romance languages. For example,
Latin secūrum ‘sure, secure’ became Spanish seguro but French sûr; Latin vōcem ‘voice’ became
Spanish voz but French voix, pronounced vwa.
French grammar
French grammar, like that of the other Romance languages, has been greatly simplified
from that of Latin. Nouns are not declined for case. Formerly, they were marked for plural by the
addition of -s or -es, but the ending, though retained in spelling, has generally been lost in
speech. Masculine and feminine gender are distinguished but are usually marked not in the noun
but rather in the accompanying article or adjective. Plural marking in spoken French is often
similarly distinguished. The verb in French is conjugated for three persons, singular and plural,
but again, although distinguished in spelling, several of these forms are pronounced identically.
French has verb forms for indicative, imperative, and subjunctive moods; preterite, imperfect,
present, future, and conditional, and a variety of perfect and progressive tenses; and passive and
reflexive constructions.
Linguistic change was more rapid and more drastic in northern France than it was in other
European Romance regions, and influence from Latin was comparatively slight (though
borrowing of Latin vocabulary has been great since the 14th century). The influence of the
Germanic Frankish invaders is often held to account for exotic features in Old French, such as
strong stress accent and abundant use of diphthongs and nasal vowels, but by the 15th century
the language had begun to change, and a sober (even monotonous) intonation and loss of a stress
accent became characteristic. The popularity of French as a first foreign language, in spite of
numerous pronunciation difficulties for nearly all foreign speakers, is perhaps as much the result
of the precise codification of its grammar, effectuated especially during the 18th century, as of
the brilliance of its literature at all periods.
Other dialects are grouped
Modern dialects are classified mainly on a geographic basis, and most survive only in rural
areas. Walloon, spoken mainly in Belgium, is something of an exception in that it has had a
flourishing dialect literature since approximately 1600. Other dialects are grouped as follows:
Central: Francien, Orléanais, Bourbonnais, Champenois
Northern: Picard, Northern Norman
Eastern: Lorrain, Bourguignon (Burgundian), Franc-Comtois
Western: Norman, Gallo (around the Celtic Breton area), Angevin, Manceau
Southwestern: Poitevin, Saintongeais, Angoumois
Canadian French
Outside France, the French of Canada, originally probably of northwestern dialect type,
has developed the most individual features. Although 18th-century Canadian French was
regarded as exceptionally “pure” by metropolitan commentators, it began to diverge from
Parisian French after 1760 as a consequence of its isolation from the metropolis and of the
ever-stronger influence of English. Canadian French is less clearly articulated, with less lip
movement and with a more monotonous intonation, than standard French; some change in
consonantal sounds occurs (/t/ and /d/ shift to /ts/ and /dz/, respectively, and both k and g
become palatalized [pronounced with the tongue touching the hard palate, or roof of the
mouth] when followed by the letters i or e); nasal vowels tend to lose the nasal element;
vocabulary and syntax are heavily Anglicized.
Although intellectuals turn toward France for cultural inspiration, the pronunciation and
usage of standard French is sometimes derided by French Canadians; this may be because
their English compatriots are taught Parisian French at school. The French-speaking
population of Canada is growing relatively fast, and more than four-fifths of the population
of Quebec province uses French on a daily basis. The continuing activities of the separatist
movement provide evidence of the persistence of resentment among many French Canadians.
Letter signed by Eugène DelacroixLetter, signed by Eugène Delacroix, apologizing for a
period of silence during a bout of ill health, 1863; from a private collection.
French phonology is characterized by great changes in the sounds of words as compared
with their Latin parent forms as well as cognates in the other Romance languages. For example,
Latin secūrum ‘sure, secure’ became Spanish seguro but French sûr; Latin vōcem ‘voice’ became
Spanish voz but French voix, pronounced vwa.
French grammar
French grammar, like that of the other Romance languages, has been greatly simplified
from that of Latin. Nouns are not declined for case. Formerly, they were marked for plural by the
addition of -s or -es, but the ending, though retained in spelling, has generally been lost in
speech. Masculine and feminine gender are distinguished but are usually marked not in the noun
but rather in the accompanying article or adjective. Plural marking in spoken French is often
similarly distinguished. The verb in French is conjugated for three persons, singular and plural,
but again, although distinguished in spelling, several of these forms are pronounced identically.
French has verb forms for indicative, imperative, and subjunctive moods; preterite, imperfect,
present, future, and conditional, and a variety of perfect and progressive tenses; and passive and
reflexive constructions.
Linguistic change was more rapid and more drastic in northern France than it was in other
European Romance regions, and influence from Latin was comparatively slight (though
borrowing of Latin vocabulary has been great since the 14th century). The influence of the
Germanic Frankish invaders is often held to account for exotic features in Old French, such as
strong stress accent and abundant use of diphthongs and nasal vowels, but by the 15th century
the language had begun to change, and a sober (even monotonous) intonation and loss of a stress
accent became characteristic. The popularity of French as a first foreign language, in spite of
numerous pronunciation difficulties for nearly all foreign speakers, is perhaps as much the result
of the precise codification of its grammar, effectuated especially during the 18th century, as of
the brilliance of its literature at all periods.
Other dialects are grouped
Modern dialects are classified mainly on a geographic basis, and most survive only in rural
areas. Walloon, spoken mainly in Belgium, is something of an exception in that it has had a
flourishing dialect literature since approximately 1600. Other dialects are grouped as follows:
Central: Francien, Orléanais, Bourbonnais, Champenois
Northern: Picard, Northern Norman
Eastern: Lorrain, Bourguignon (Burgundian), Franc-Comtois
Western: Norman, Gallo (around the Celtic Breton area), Angevin, Manceau
Southwestern: Poitevin, Saintongeais, Angoumois
Canadian French
Outside France, the French of Canada, originally probably of northwestern dialect type,
has developed the most individual features. Although 18th-century Canadian French was
regarded as exceptionally “pure” by metropolitan commentators, it began to diverge from
Parisian French after 1760 as a consequence of its isolation from the metropolis and of the
ever-stronger influence of English. Canadian French is less clearly articulated, with less lip
movement and with a more monotonous intonation, than standard French; some change in
consonantal sounds occurs (/t/ and /d/ shift to /ts/ and /dz/, respectively, and both k and g
become palatalized [pronounced with the tongue touching the hard palate, or roof of the
mouth] when followed by the letters i or e); nasal vowels tend to lose the nasal element;
vocabulary and syntax are heavily Anglicized.
Although intellectuals turn toward France for cultural inspiration, the pronunciation and
usage of standard French is sometimes derided by French Canadians; this may be because
their English compatriots are taught Parisian French at school. The French-speaking
population of Canada is growing relatively fast, and more than four-fifths of the population
of Quebec province uses French on a daily basis. The continuing activities of the separatist
movement provide evidence of the persistence of resentment among many French Canadians.
Letter signed by Eugène DelacroixLetter, signed by Eugène Delacroix, apologizing for a
period of silence during a bout of ill health, 1863; from a private collection.
French phonology is characterized by great changes in the sounds of words as compared
with their Latin parent forms as well as cognates in the other Romance languages. For example,
Latin secūrum ‘sure, secure’ became Spanish seguro but French sûr; Latin vōcem ‘voice’ became
Spanish voz but French voix, pronounced vwa.
French grammar
French grammar, like that of the other Romance languages, has been greatly simplified
from that of Latin. Nouns are not declined for case. Formerly, they were marked for plural by the
addition of -s or -es, but the ending, though retained in spelling, has generally been lost in
speech. Masculine and feminine gender are distinguished but are usually marked not in the noun
but rather in the accompanying article or adjective. Plural marking in spoken French is often
similarly distinguished. The verb in French is conjugated for three persons, singular and plural,
but again, although distinguished in spelling, several of these forms are pronounced identically.
French has verb forms for indicative, imperative, and subjunctive moods; preterite, imperfect,
present, future, and conditional, and a variety of perfect and progressive tenses; and passive and
reflexive constructions.
Linguistic change was more rapid and more drastic in northern France than it was in other
European Romance regions, and influence from Latin was comparatively slight (though
borrowing of Latin vocabulary has been great since the 14th century). The influence of the
Germanic Frankish invaders is often held to account for exotic features in Old French, such as
strong stress accent and abundant use of diphthongs and nasal vowels, but by the 15th century
the language had begun to change, and a sober (even monotonous) intonation and loss of a stress
accent became characteristic. The popularity of French as a first foreign language, in spite of
numerous pronunciation difficulties for nearly all foreign speakers, is perhaps as much the result
of the precise codification of its grammar, effectuated especially during the 18th century, as of
the brilliance of its literature at all periods.
Other dialects are grouped
Modern dialects are classified mainly on a geographic basis, and most survive only in rural
areas. Walloon, spoken mainly in Belgium, is something of an exception in that it has had a
flourishing dialect literature since approximately 1600. Other dialects are grouped as follows:
Central: Francien, Orléanais, Bourbonnais, Champenois
Northern: Picard, Northern Norman
Eastern: Lorrain, Bourguignon (Burgundian), Franc-Comtois
Western: Norman, Gallo (around the Celtic Breton area), Angevin, Manceau
Southwestern: Poitevin, Saintongeais, Angoumois
Canadian French
Outside France, the French of Canada, originally probably of northwestern dialect type,
has developed the most individual features. Although 18th-century Canadian French was
regarded as exceptionally “pure” by metropolitan commentators, it began to diverge from
Parisian French after 1760 as a consequence of its isolation from the metropolis and of the
ever-stronger influence of English. Canadian French is less clearly articulated, with less lip
movement and with a more monotonous intonation, than standard French; some change in
consonantal sounds occurs (/t/ and /d/ shift to /ts/ and /dz/, respectively, and both k and g
become palatalized [pronounced with the tongue touching the hard palate, or roof of the
mouth] when followed by the letters i or e); nasal vowels tend to lose the nasal element;
vocabulary and syntax are heavily Anglicized.
Although intellectuals turn toward France for cultural inspiration, the pronunciation and
usage of standard French is sometimes derided by French Canadians; this may be because
their English compatriots are taught Parisian French at school. The French-speaking
population of Canada is growing relatively fast, and more than four-fifths of the population
of Quebec province uses French on a daily basis. The continuing activities of the separatist
movement provide evidence of the persistence of resentment among many French Canadians.
Letter signed by Eugène DelacroixLetter, signed by Eugène Delacroix, apologizing for a
period of silence during a bout of ill health, 1863; from a private collection.
French phonology is characterized by great changes in the sounds of words as compared
with their Latin parent forms as well as cognates in the other Romance languages. For example,
Latin secūrum ‘sure, secure’ became Spanish seguro but French sûr; Latin vōcem ‘voice’ became
Spanish voz but French voix, pronounced vwa.
French grammar
French grammar, like that of the other Romance languages, has been greatly simplified
from that of Latin. Nouns are not declined for case. Formerly, they were marked for plural by the
addition of -s or -es, but the ending, though retained in spelling, has generally been lost in
speech. Masculine and feminine gender are distinguished but are usually marked not in the noun
but rather in the accompanying article or adjective. Plural marking in spoken French is often
similarly distinguished. The verb in French is conjugated for three persons, singular and plural,
but again, although distinguished in spelling, several of these forms are pronounced identically.
French has verb forms for indicative, imperative, and subjunctive moods; preterite, imperfect,
present, future, and conditional, and a variety of perfect and progressive tenses; and passive and
reflexive constructions.
Linguistic change was more rapid and more drastic in northern France than it was in other
European Romance regions, and influence from Latin was comparatively slight (though
borrowing of Latin vocabulary has been great since the 14th century). The influence of the
Germanic Frankish invaders is often held to account for exotic features in Old French, such as
strong stress accent and abundant use of diphthongs and nasal vowels, but by the 15th century
the language had begun to change, and a sober (even monotonous) intonation and loss of a stress
accent became characteristic. The popularity of French as a first foreign language, in spite of
numerous pronunciation difficulties for nearly all foreign speakers, is perhaps as much the result
of the precise codification of its grammar, effectuated especially during the 18th century, as of
the brilliance of its literature at all periods.
Other dialects are grouped
Modern dialects are classified mainly on a geographic basis, and most survive only in rural
areas. Walloon, spoken mainly in Belgium, is something of an exception in that it has had a
flourishing dialect literature since approximately 1600. Other dialects are grouped as follows:
Central: Francien, Orléanais, Bourbonnais, Champenois
Northern: Picard, Northern Norman
Eastern: Lorrain, Bourguignon (Burgundian), Franc-Comtois
Western: Norman, Gallo (around the Celtic Breton area), Angevin, Manceau
Southwestern: Poitevin, Saintongeais, Angoumois
Canadian French
Outside France, the French of Canada, originally probably of northwestern dialect type,
has developed the most individual features. Although 18th-century Canadian French was
regarded as exceptionally “pure” by metropolitan commentators, it began to diverge from
Parisian French after 1760 as a consequence of its isolation from the metropolis and of the
ever-stronger influence of English. Canadian French is less clearly articulated, with less lip
movement and with a more monotonous intonation, than standard French; some change in
consonantal sounds occurs (/t/ and /d/ shift to /ts/ and /dz/, respectively, and both k and g
become palatalized [pronounced with the tongue touching the hard palate, or roof of the
mouth] when followed by the letters i or e); nasal vowels tend to lose the nasal element;
vocabulary and syntax are heavily Anglicized.
Although intellectuals turn toward France for cultural inspiration, the pronunciation and
usage of standard French is sometimes derided by French Canadians; this may be because
their English compatriots are taught Parisian French at school. The French-speaking
population of Canada is growing relatively fast, and more than four-fifths of the population
of Quebec province uses French on a daily basis. The continuing activities of the separatist
movement provide evidence of the persistence of resentment among many French Canadians.
Letter signed by Eugène DelacroixLetter, signed by Eugène Delacroix, apologizing for a
period of silence during a bout of ill health, 1863; from a private collection.
French phonology is characterized by great changes in the sounds of words as compared
with their Latin parent forms as well as cognates in the other Romance languages. For example,
Latin secūrum ‘sure, secure’ became Spanish seguro but French sûr; Latin vōcem ‘voice’ became
Spanish voz but French voix, pronounced vwa.
French grammar
French grammar, like that of the other Romance languages, has been greatly simplified
from that of Latin. Nouns are not declined for case. Formerly, they were marked for plural by the
addition of -s or -es, but the ending, though retained in spelling, has generally been lost in
speech. Masculine and feminine gender are distinguished but are usually marked not in the noun
but rather in the accompanying article or adjective. Plural marking in spoken French is often
similarly distinguished. The verb in French is conjugated for three persons, singular and plural,
but again, although distinguished in spelling, several of these forms are pronounced identically.
French has verb forms for indicative, imperative, and subjunctive moods; preterite, imperfect,
present, future, and conditional, and a variety of perfect and progressive tenses; and passive and
reflexive constructions.
Linguistic change was more rapid and more drastic in northern France than it was in other
European Romance regions, and influence from Latin was comparatively slight (though
borrowing of Latin vocabulary has been great since the 14th century). The influence of the
Germanic Frankish invaders is often held to account for exotic features in Old French, such as
strong stress accent and abundant use of diphthongs and nasal vowels, but by the 15th century
the language had begun to change, and a sober (even monotonous) intonation and loss of a stress
accent became characteristic. The popularity of French as a first foreign language, in spite of
numerous pronunciation difficulties for nearly all foreign speakers, is perhaps as much the result
of the precise codification of its grammar, effectuated especially during the 18th century, as of
the brilliance of its literature at all periods.
Other dialects are grouped
Modern dialects are classified mainly on a geographic basis, and most survive only in rural
areas. Walloon, spoken mainly in Belgium, is something of an exception in that it has had a
flourishing dialect literature since approximately 1600. Other dialects are grouped as follows:
Central: Francien, Orléanais, Bourbonnais, Champenois
Northern: Picard, Northern Norman
Eastern: Lorrain, Bourguignon (Burgundian), Franc-Comtois
Western: Norman, Gallo (around the Celtic Breton area), Angevin, Manceau
Southwestern: Poitevin, Saintongeais, Angoumois
Canadian French
Outside France, the French of Canada, originally probably of northwestern dialect type,
has developed the most individual features. Although 18th-century Canadian French was
regarded as exceptionally “pure” by metropolitan commentators, it began to diverge from
Parisian French after 1760 as a consequence of its isolation from the metropolis and of the
ever-stronger influence of English. Canadian French is less clearly articulated, with less lip
movement and with a more monotonous intonation, than standard French; some change in
consonantal sounds occurs (/t/ and /d/ shift to /ts/ and /dz/, respectively, and both k and g
become palatalized [pronounced with the tongue touching the hard palate, or roof of the
mouth] when followed by the letters i or e); nasal vowels tend to lose the nasal element;
vocabulary and syntax are heavily Anglicized.
Although intellectuals turn toward France for cultural inspiration, the pronunciation and
usage of standard French is sometimes derided by French Canadians; this may be because
their English compatriots are taught Parisian French at school. The French-speaking
population of Canada is growing relatively fast, and more than four-fifths of the population
of Quebec province uses French on a daily basis. The continuing activities of the separatist
movement provide evidence of the persistence of resentment among many French Canadians.
Letter signed by Eugène DelacroixLetter, signed by Eugène Delacroix, apologizing for a
period of silence during a bout of ill health, 1863; from a private collection.
French phonology is characterized by great changes in the sounds of words as compared
with their Latin parent forms as well as cognates in the other Romance languages. For example,
Latin secūrum ‘sure, secure’ became Spanish seguro but French sûr; Latin vōcem ‘voice’ became
Spanish voz but French voix, pronounced vwa.
French grammar
French grammar, like that of the other Romance languages, has been greatly simplified
from that of Latin. Nouns are not declined for case. Formerly, they were marked for plural by the
addition of -s or -es, but the ending, though retained in spelling, has generally been lost in
speech. Masculine and feminine gender are distinguished but are usually marked not in the noun
but rather in the accompanying article or adjective. Plural marking in spoken French is often
similarly distinguished. The verb in French is conjugated for three persons, singular and plural,
but again, although distinguished in spelling, several of these forms are pronounced identically.
French has verb forms for indicative, imperative, and subjunctive moods; preterite, imperfect,
present, future, and conditional, and a variety of perfect and progressive tenses; and passive and
reflexive constructions.
Linguistic change was more rapid and more drastic in northern France than it was in other
European Romance regions, and influence from Latin was comparatively slight (though
borrowing of Latin vocabulary has been great since the 14th century). The influence of the
Germanic Frankish invaders is often held to account for exotic features in Old French, such as
strong stress accent and abundant use of diphthongs and nasal vowels, but by the 15th century
the language had begun to change, and a sober (even monotonous) intonation and loss of a stress
accent became characteristic. The popularity of French as a first foreign language, in spite of
numerous pronunciation difficulties for nearly all foreign speakers, is perhaps as much the result
of the precise codification of its grammar, effectuated especially during the 18th century, as of
the brilliance of its literature at all periods.
Other dialects are grouped
Modern dialects are classified mainly on a geographic basis, and most survive only in rural
areas. Walloon, spoken mainly in Belgium, is something of an exception in that it has had a
flourishing dialect literature since approximately 1600. Other dialects are grouped as follows:
Central: Francien, Orléanais, Bourbonnais, Champenois
Northern: Picard, Northern Norman
Eastern: Lorrain, Bourguignon (Burgundian), Franc-Comtois
Western: Norman, Gallo (around the Celtic Breton area), Angevin, Manceau
Southwestern: Poitevin, Saintongeais, Angoumois
Canadian French
Outside France, the French of Canada, originally probably of northwestern dialect type,
has developed the most individual features. Although 18th-century Canadian French was
regarded as exceptionally “pure” by metropolitan commentators, it began to diverge from
Parisian French after 1760 as a consequence of its isolation from the metropolis and of the
ever-stronger influence of English. Canadian French is less clearly articulated, with less lip
movement and with a more monotonous intonation, than standard French; some change in
consonantal sounds occurs (/t/ and /d/ shift to /ts/ and /dz/, respectively, and both k and g
become palatalized [pronounced with the tongue touching the hard palate, or roof of the
mouth] when followed by the letters i or e); nasal vowels tend to lose the nasal element;
vocabulary and syntax are heavily Anglicized.
Although intellectuals turn toward France for cultural inspiration, the pronunciation and
usage of standard French is sometimes derided by French Canadians; this may be because
their English compatriots are taught Parisian French at school. The French-speaking
population of Canada is growing relatively fast, and more than four-fifths of the population
of Quebec province uses French on a daily basis. The continuing activities of the separatist
movement provide evidence of the persistence of resentment among many French Canadians.
Letter signed by Eugène DelacroixLetter, signed by Eugène Delacroix, apologizing for a
period of silence during a bout of ill health, 1863; from a private collection.
French phonology is characterized by great changes in the sounds of words as compared
with their Latin parent forms as well as cognates in the other Romance languages. For example,
Latin secūrum ‘sure, secure’ became Spanish seguro but French sûr; Latin vōcem ‘voice’ became
Spanish voz but French voix, pronounced vwa.
French grammar
French grammar, like that of the other Romance languages, has been greatly simplified
from that of Latin. Nouns are not declined for case. Formerly, they were marked for plural by the
addition of -s or -es, but the ending, though retained in spelling, has generally been lost in
speech. Masculine and feminine gender are distinguished but are usually marked not in the noun
but rather in the accompanying article or adjective. Plural marking in spoken French is often
similarly distinguished. The verb in French is conjugated for three persons, singular and plural,
but again, although distinguished in spelling, several of these forms are pronounced identically.
French has verb forms for indicative, imperative, and subjunctive moods; preterite, imperfect,
present, future, and conditional, and a variety of perfect and progressive tenses; and passive and
reflexive constructions.
Linguistic change was more rapid and more drastic in northern France than it was in other
European Romance regions, and influence from Latin was comparatively slight (though
borrowing of Latin vocabulary has been great since the 14th century). The influence of the
Germanic Frankish invaders is often held to account for exotic features in Old French, such as
strong stress accent and abundant use of diphthongs and nasal vowels, but by the 15th century
the language had begun to change, and a sober (even monotonous) intonation and loss of a stress
accent became characteristic. The popularity of French as a first foreign language, in spite of
numerous pronunciation difficulties for nearly all foreign speakers, is perhaps as much the result
of the precise codification of its grammar, effectuated especially during the 18th century, as of
the brilliance of its literature at all periods.
Other dialects are grouped
Modern dialects are classified mainly on a geographic basis, and most survive only in rural
areas. Walloon, spoken mainly in Belgium, is something of an exception in that it has had a
flourishing dialect literature since approximately 1600. Other dialects are grouped as follows:
Central: Francien, Orléanais, Bourbonnais, Champenois
Northern: Picard, Northern Norman
Eastern: Lorrain, Bourguignon (Burgundian), Franc-Comtois
Western: Norman, Gallo (around the Celtic Breton area), Angevin, Manceau
Southwestern: Poitevin, Saintongeais, Angoumois
Canadian French
Outside France, the French of Canada, originally probably of northwestern dialect type,
has developed the most individual features. Although 18th-century Canadian French was
regarded as exceptionally “pure” by metropolitan commentators, it began to diverge from
Parisian French after 1760 as a consequence of its isolation from the metropolis and of the
ever-stronger influence of English. Canadian French is less clearly articulated, with less lip
movement and with a more monotonous intonation, than standard French; some change in
consonantal sounds occurs (/t/ and /d/ shift to /ts/ and /dz/, respectively, and both k and g
become palatalized [pronounced with the tongue touching the hard palate, or roof of the
mouth] when followed by the letters i or e); nasal vowels tend to lose the nasal element;
vocabulary and syntax are heavily Anglicized.
Although intellectuals turn toward France for cultural inspiration, the pronunciation and
usage of standard French is sometimes derided by French Canadians; this may be because
their English compatriots are taught Parisian French at school. The French-speaking
population of Canada is growing relatively fast, and more than four-fifths of the population
of Quebec province uses French on a daily basis. The continuing activities of the separatist
movement provide evidence of the persistence of resentment among many French Canadians.
Letter signed by Eugène DelacroixLetter, signed by Eugène Delacroix, apologizing for a
period of silence during a bout of ill health, 1863; from a private collection.
French phonology is characterized by great changes in the sounds of words as compared
with their Latin parent forms as well as cognates in the other Romance languages. For example,
Latin secūrum ‘sure, secure’ became Spanish seguro but French sûr; Latin vōcem ‘voice’ became
Spanish voz but French voix, pronounced vwa.
French grammar
French grammar, like that of the other Romance languages, has been greatly simplified
from that of Latin. Nouns are not declined for case. Formerly, they were marked for plural by the
addition of -s or -es, but the ending, though retained in spelling, has generally been lost in
speech. Masculine and feminine gender are distinguished but are usually marked not in the noun
but rather in the accompanying article or adjective. Plural marking in spoken French is often
similarly distinguished. The verb in French is conjugated for three persons, singular and plural,
but again, although distinguished in spelling, several of these forms are pronounced identically.
French has verb forms for indicative, imperative, and subjunctive moods; preterite, imperfect,
present, future, and conditional, and a variety of perfect and progressive tenses; and passive and
reflexive constructions.
Linguistic change was more rapid and more drastic in northern France than it was in other
European Romance regions, and influence from Latin was comparatively slight (though
borrowing of Latin vocabulary has been great since the 14th century). The influence of the
Germanic Frankish invaders is often held to account for exotic features in Old French, such as
strong stress accent and abundant use of diphthongs and nasal vowels, but by the 15th century
the language had begun to change, and a sober (even monotonous) intonation and loss of a stress
accent became characteristic. The popularity of French as a first foreign language, in spite of
numerous pronunciation difficulties for nearly all foreign speakers, is perhaps as much the result
of the precise codification of its grammar, effectuated especially during the 18th century, as of
the brilliance of its literature at all periods.
Other dialects are grouped
Modern dialects are classified mainly on a geographic basis, and most survive only in rural
areas. Walloon, spoken mainly in Belgium, is something of an exception in that it has had a
flourishing dialect literature since approximately 1600. Other dialects are grouped as follows:
Central: Francien, Orléanais, Bourbonnais, Champenois
Northern: Picard, Northern Norman
Eastern: Lorrain, Bourguignon (Burgundian), Franc-Comtois
Western: Norman, Gallo (around the Celtic Breton area), Angevin, Manceau
Southwestern: Poitevin, Saintongeais, Angoumois
Canadian French
Outside France, the French of Canada, originally probably of northwestern dialect type,
has developed the most individual features. Although 18th-century Canadian French was
regarded as exceptionally “pure” by metropolitan commentators, it began to diverge from
Parisian French after 1760 as a consequence of its isolation from the metropolis and of the
ever-stronger influence of English. Canadian French is less clearly articulated, with less lip
movement and with a more monotonous intonation, than standard French; some change in
consonantal sounds occurs (/t/ and /d/ shift to /ts/ and /dz/, respectively, and both k and g
become palatalized [pronounced with the tongue touching the hard palate, or roof of the
mouth] when followed by the letters i or e); nasal vowels tend to lose the nasal element;
vocabulary and syntax are heavily Anglicized.
Although intellectuals turn toward France for cultural inspiration, the pronunciation and
usage of standard French is sometimes derided by French Canadians; this may be because
their English compatriots are taught Parisian French at school. The French-speaking
population of Canada is growing relatively fast, and more than four-fifths of the population
of Quebec province uses French on a daily basis. The continuing activities of the separatist
movement provide evidence of the persistence of resentment among many French Canadians.
Letter signed by Eugène DelacroixLetter, signed by Eugène Delacroix, apologizing for a
period of silence during a bout of ill health, 1863; from a private collection.
French phonology is characterized by great changes in the sounds of words as compared
with their Latin parent forms as well as cognates in the other Romance languages. For example,
Latin secūrum ‘sure, secure’ became Spanish seguro but French sûr; Latin vōcem ‘voice’ became
Spanish voz but French voix, pronounced vwa.
French grammar
French grammar, like that of the other Romance languages, has been greatly simplified
from that of Latin. Nouns are not declined for case. Formerly, they were marked for plural by the
addition of -s or -es, but the ending, though retained in spelling, has generally been lost in
speech. Masculine and feminine gender are distinguished but are usually marked not in the noun
but rather in the accompanying article or adjective. Plural marking in spoken French is often
similarly distinguished. The verb in French is conjugated for three persons, singular and plural,
but again, although distinguished in spelling, several of these forms are pronounced identically.
French has verb forms for indicative, imperative, and subjunctive moods; preterite, imperfect,
present, future, and conditional, and a variety of perfect and progressive tenses; and passive and
reflexive constructions.
Linguistic change was more rapid and more drastic in northern France than it was in other
European Romance regions, and influence from Latin was comparatively slight (though
borrowing of Latin vocabulary has been great since the 14th century). The influence of the
Germanic Frankish invaders is often held to account for exotic features in Old French, such as
strong stress accent and abundant use of diphthongs and nasal vowels, but by the 15th century
the language had begun to change, and a sober (even monotonous) intonation and loss of a stress
accent became characteristic. The popularity of French as a first foreign language, in spite of
numerous pronunciation difficulties for nearly all foreign speakers, is perhaps as much the result
of the precise codification of its grammar, effectuated especially during the 18th century, as of
the brilliance of its literature at all periods.
Other dialects are grouped
Modern dialects are classified mainly on a geographic basis, and most survive only in rural
areas. Walloon, spoken mainly in Belgium, is something of an exception in that it has had a
flourishing dialect literature since approximately 1600. Other dialects are grouped as follows:
Central: Francien, Orléanais, Bourbonnais, Champenois
Northern: Picard, Northern Norman
Eastern: Lorrain, Bourguignon (Burgundian), Franc-Comtois
Western: Norman, Gallo (around the Celtic Breton area), Angevin, Manceau
Southwestern: Poitevin, Saintongeais, Angoumois
Canadian French
Outside France, the French of Canada, originally probably of northwestern dialect type,
has developed the most individual features. Although 18th-century Canadian French was
regarded as exceptionally “pure” by metropolitan commentators, it began to diverge from
Parisian French after 1760 as a consequence of its isolation from the metropolis and of the
ever-stronger influence of English. Canadian French is less clearly articulated, with less lip
movement and with a more monotonous intonation, than standard French; some change in
consonantal sounds occurs (/t/ and /d/ shift to /ts/ and /dz/, respectively, and both k and g
become palatalized [pronounced with the tongue touching the hard palate, or roof of the
mouth] when followed by the letters i or e); nasal vowels tend to lose the nasal element;
vocabulary and syntax are heavily Anglicized.
Although intellectuals turn toward France for cultural inspiration, the pronunciation and
usage of standard French is sometimes derided by French Canadians; this may be because
their English compatriots are taught Parisian French at school. The French-speaking
population of Canada is growing relatively fast, and more than four-fifths of the population
of Quebec province uses French on a daily basis. The continuing activities of the separatist
movement provide evidence of the persistence of resentment among many French Canadians.
Letter signed by Eugène DelacroixLetter, signed by Eugène Delacroix, apologizing for a
period of silence during a bout of ill health, 1863; from a private collection.
French phonology is characterized by great changes in the sounds of words as compared
with their Latin parent forms as well as cognates in the other Romance languages. For example,
Latin secūrum ‘sure, secure’ became Spanish seguro but French sûr; Latin vōcem ‘voice’ became
Spanish voz but French voix, pronounced vwa.
French grammar
French grammar, like that of the other Romance languages, has been greatly simplified
from that of Latin. Nouns are not declined for case. Formerly, they were marked for plural by the
addition of -s or -es, but the ending, though retained in spelling, has generally been lost in
speech. Masculine and feminine gender are distinguished but are usually marked not in the noun
but rather in the accompanying article or adjective. Plural marking in spoken French is often
similarly distinguished. The verb in French is conjugated for three persons, singular and plural,
but again, although distinguished in spelling, several of these forms are pronounced identically.
French has verb forms for indicative, imperative, and subjunctive moods; preterite, imperfect,
present, future, and conditional, and a variety of perfect and progressive tenses; and passive and
reflexive constructions.
Linguistic change was more rapid and more drastic in northern France than it was in other
European Romance regions, and influence from Latin was comparatively slight (though
borrowing of Latin vocabulary has been great since the 14th century). The influence of the
Germanic Frankish invaders is often held to account for exotic features in Old French, such as
strong stress accent and abundant use of diphthongs and nasal vowels, but by the 15th century
the language had begun to change, and a sober (even monotonous) intonation and loss of a stress
accent became characteristic. The popularity of French as a first foreign language, in spite of
numerous pronunciation difficulties for nearly all foreign speakers, is perhaps as much the result
of the precise codification of its grammar, effectuated especially during the 18th century, as of
the brilliance of its literature at all periods.
Other dialects are grouped
Modern dialects are classified mainly on a geographic basis, and most survive only in rural
areas. Walloon, spoken mainly in Belgium, is something of an exception in that it has had a
flourishing dialect literature since approximately 1600. Other dialects are grouped as follows:
Central: Francien, Orléanais, Bourbonnais, Champenois
Northern: Picard, Northern Norman
Eastern: Lorrain, Bourguignon (Burgundian), Franc-Comtois
Western: Norman, Gallo (around the Celtic Breton area), Angevin, Manceau
Southwestern: Poitevin, Saintongeais, Angoumois
Canadian French
Outside France, the French of Canada, originally probably of northwestern dialect type,
has developed the most individual features. Although 18th-century Canadian French was
regarded as exceptionally “pure” by metropolitan commentators, it began to diverge from
Parisian French after 1760 as a consequence of its isolation from the metropolis and of the
ever-stronger influence of English. Canadian French is less clearly articulated, with less lip
movement and with a more monotonous intonation, than standard French; some change in
consonantal sounds occurs (/t/ and /d/ shift to /ts/ and /dz/, respectively, and both k and g
become palatalized [pronounced with the tongue touching the hard palate, or roof of the
mouth] when followed by the letters i or e); nasal vowels tend to lose the nasal element;
vocabulary and syntax are heavily Anglicized.
Although intellectuals turn toward France for cultural inspiration, the pronunciation and
usage of standard French is sometimes derided by French Canadians; this may be because
their English compatriots are taught Parisian French at school. The French-speaking
population of Canada is growing relatively fast, and more than four-fifths of the population
of Quebec province uses French on a daily basis. The continuing activities of the separatist
movement provide evidence of the persistence of resentment among many French Canadians.
Letter signed by Eugène DelacroixLetter, signed by Eugène Delacroix, apologizing for a
period of silence during a bout of ill health, 1863; from a private collection.
French phonology is characterized by great changes in the sounds of words as compared
with their Latin parent forms as well as cognates in the other Romance languages. For example,
Latin secūrum ‘sure, secure’ became Spanish seguro but French sûr; Latin vōcem ‘voice’ became
Spanish voz but French voix, pronounced vwa.
French grammar
French grammar, like that of the other Romance languages, has been greatly simplified
from that of Latin. Nouns are not declined for case. Formerly, they were marked for plural by the
addition of -s or -es, but the ending, though retained in spelling, has generally been lost in
speech. Masculine and feminine gender are distinguished but are usually marked not in the noun
but rather in the accompanying article or adjective. Plural marking in spoken French is often
similarly distinguished. The verb in French is conjugated for three persons, singular and plural,
but again, although distinguished in spelling, several of these forms are pronounced identically.
French has verb forms for indicative, imperative, and subjunctive moods; preterite, imperfect,
present, future, and conditional, and a variety of perfect and progressive tenses; and passive and
reflexive constructions.
Linguistic change was more rapid and more drastic in northern France than it was in other
European Romance regions, and influence from Latin was comparatively slight (though
borrowing of Latin vocabulary has been great since the 14th century). The influence of the
Germanic Frankish invaders is often held to account for exotic features in Old French, such as
strong stress accent and abundant use of diphthongs and nasal vowels, but by the 15th century
the language had begun to change, and a sober (even monotonous) intonation and loss of a stress
accent became characteristic. The popularity of French as a first foreign language, in spite of
numerous pronunciation difficulties for nearly all foreign speakers, is perhaps as much the result
of the precise codification of its grammar, effectuated especially during the 18th century, as of
the brilliance of its literature at all periods.
Other dialects are grouped
Modern dialects are classified mainly on a geographic basis, and most survive only in rural
areas. Walloon, spoken mainly in Belgium, is something of an exception in that it has had a
flourishing dialect literature since approximately 1600. Other dialects are grouped as follows:
Central: Francien, Orléanais, Bourbonnais, Champenois
Northern: Picard, Northern Norman
Eastern: Lorrain, Bourguignon (Burgundian), Franc-Comtois
Western: Norman, Gallo (around the Celtic Breton area), Angevin, Manceau
Southwestern: Poitevin, Saintongeais, Angoumois
Canadian French
Outside France, the French of Canada, originally probably of northwestern dialect type,
has developed the most individual features. Although 18th-century Canadian French was
regarded as exceptionally “pure” by metropolitan commentators, it began to diverge from
Parisian French after 1760 as a consequence of its isolation from the metropolis and of the
ever-stronger influence of English. Canadian French is less clearly articulated, with less lip
movement and with a more monotonous intonation, than standard French; some change in
consonantal sounds occurs (/t/ and /d/ shift to /ts/ and /dz/, respectively, and both k and g
become palatalized [pronounced with the tongue touching the hard palate, or roof of the
mouth] when followed by the letters i or e); nasal vowels tend to lose the nasal element;
vocabulary and syntax are heavily Anglicized.
Although intellectuals turn toward France for cultural inspiration, the pronunciation and
usage of standard French is sometimes derided by French Canadians; this may be because
their English compatriots are taught Parisian French at school. The French-speaking
population of Canada is growing relatively fast, and more than four-fifths of the population
of Quebec province uses French on a daily basis. The continuing activities of the separatist
movement provide evidence of the persistence of resentment among many French Canadians.
Letter signed by Eugène DelacroixLetter, signed by Eugène Delacroix, apologizing for a
period of silence during a bout of ill health, 1863; from a private collection.
French phonology is characterized by great changes in the sounds of words as compared
with their Latin parent forms as well as cognates in the other Romance languages. For example,
Latin secūrum ‘sure, secure’ became Spanish seguro but French sûr; Latin vōcem ‘voice’ became
Spanish voz but French voix, pronounced vwa.
French grammar
French grammar, like that of the other Romance languages, has been greatly simplified
from that of Latin. Nouns are not declined for case. Formerly, they were marked for plural by the
addition of -s or -es, but the ending, though retained in spelling, has generally been lost in
speech. Masculine and feminine gender are distinguished but are usually marked not in the noun
but rather in the accompanying article or adjective. Plural marking in spoken French is often
similarly distinguished. The verb in French is conjugated for three persons, singular and plural,
but again, although distinguished in spelling, several of these forms are pronounced identically.
French has verb forms for indicative, imperative, and subjunctive moods; preterite, imperfect,
present, future, and conditional, and a variety of perfect and progressive tenses; and passive and
reflexive constructions.
Linguistic change was more rapid and more drastic in northern France than it was in other
European Romance regions, and influence from Latin was comparatively slight (though
borrowing of Latin vocabulary has been great since the 14th century). The influence of the
Germanic Frankish invaders is often held to account for exotic features in Old French, such as
strong stress accent and abundant use of diphthongs and nasal vowels, but by the 15th century
the language had begun to change, and a sober (even monotonous) intonation and loss of a stress
accent became characteristic. The popularity of French as a first foreign language, in spite of
numerous pronunciation difficulties for nearly all foreign speakers, is perhaps as much the result
of the precise codification of its grammar, effectuated especially during the 18th century, as of
the brilliance of its literature at all periods.
Other dialects are grouped
Modern dialects are classified mainly on a geographic basis, and most survive only in rural
areas. Walloon, spoken mainly in Belgium, is something of an exception in that it has had a
flourishing dialect literature since approximately 1600. Other dialects are grouped as follows:
Central: Francien, Orléanais, Bourbonnais, Champenois
Northern: Picard, Northern Norman
Eastern: Lorrain, Bourguignon (Burgundian), Franc-Comtois
Western: Norman, Gallo (around the Celtic Breton area), Angevin, Manceau
Southwestern: Poitevin, Saintongeais, Angoumois
Canadian French
Outside France, the French of Canada, originally probably of northwestern dialect type,
has developed the most individual features. Although 18th-century Canadian French was
regarded as exceptionally “pure” by metropolitan commentators, it began to diverge from
Parisian French after 1760 as a consequence of its isolation from the metropolis and of the
ever-stronger influence of English. Canadian French is less clearly articulated, with less lip
movement and with a more monotonous intonation, than standard French; some change in
consonantal sounds occurs (/t/ and /d/ shift to /ts/ and /dz/, respectively, and both k and g
become palatalized [pronounced with the tongue touching the hard palate, or roof of the
mouth] when followed by the letters i or e); nasal vowels tend to lose the nasal element;
vocabulary and syntax are heavily Anglicized.
Although intellectuals turn toward France for cultural inspiration, the pronunciation and
usage of standard French is sometimes derided by French Canadians; this may be because
their English compatriots are taught Parisian French at school. The French-speaking
population of Canada is growing relatively fast, and more than four-fifths of the population
of Quebec province uses French on a daily basis. The continuing activities of the separatist
movement provide evidence of the persistence of resentment among many French Canadians.
Letter signed by Eugène DelacroixLetter, signed by Eugène Delacroix, apologizing for a
period of silence during a bout of ill health, 1863; from a private collection.
French phonology is characterized by great changes in the sounds of words as compared
with their Latin parent forms as well as cognates in the other Romance languages. For example,
Latin secūrum ‘sure, secure’ became Spanish seguro but French sûr; Latin vōcem ‘voice’ became
Spanish voz but French voix, pronounced vwa.
French grammar
French grammar, like that of the other Romance languages, has been greatly simplified
from that of Latin. Nouns are not declined for case. Formerly, they were marked for plural by the
addition of -s or -es, but the ending, though retained in spelling, has generally been lost in
speech. Masculine and feminine gender are distinguished but are usually marked not in the noun
but rather in the accompanying article or adjective. Plural marking in spoken French is often
similarly distinguished. The verb in French is conjugated for three persons, singular and plural,
but again, although distinguished in spelling, several of these forms are pronounced identically.
French has verb forms for indicative, imperative, and subjunctive moods; preterite, imperfect,
present, future, and conditional, and a variety of perfect and progressive tenses; and passive and
reflexive constructions.
Linguistic change was more rapid and more drastic in northern France than it was in other
European Romance regions, and influence from Latin was comparatively slight (though
borrowing of Latin vocabulary has been great since the 14th century). The influence of the
Germanic Frankish invaders is often held to account for exotic features in Old French, such as
strong stress accent and abundant use of diphthongs and nasal vowels, but by the 15th century
the language had begun to change, and a sober (even monotonous) intonation and loss of a stress
accent became characteristic. The popularity of French as a first foreign language, in spite of
numerous pronunciation difficulties for nearly all foreign speakers, is perhaps as much the result
of the precise codification of its grammar, effectuated especially during the 18th century, as of
the brilliance of its literature at all periods.
Other dialects are grouped
Modern dialects are classified mainly on a geographic basis, and most survive only in rural
areas. Walloon, spoken mainly in Belgium, is something of an exception in that it has had a
flourishing dialect literature since approximately 1600. Other dialects are grouped as follows:
Central: Francien, Orléanais, Bourbonnais, Champenois
Northern: Picard, Northern Norman
Eastern: Lorrain, Bourguignon (Burgundian), Franc-Comtois
Western: Norman, Gallo (around the Celtic Breton area), Angevin, Manceau
Southwestern: Poitevin, Saintongeais, Angoumois
Canadian French
Outside France, the French of Canada, originally probably of northwestern dialect type,
has developed the most individual features. Although 18th-century Canadian French was
regarded as exceptionally “pure” by metropolitan commentators, it began to diverge from
Parisian French after 1760 as a consequence of its isolation from the metropolis and of the
ever-stronger influence of English. Canadian French is less clearly articulated, with less lip
movement and with a more monotonous intonation, than standard French; some change in
consonantal sounds occurs (/t/ and /d/ shift to /ts/ and /dz/, respectively, and both k and g
become palatalized [pronounced with the tongue touching the hard palate, or roof of the
mouth] when followed by the letters i or e); nasal vowels tend to lose the nasal element;
vocabulary and syntax are heavily Anglicized.
Although intellectuals turn toward France for cultural inspiration, the pronunciation and
usage of standard French is sometimes derided by French Canadians; this may be because
their English compatriots are taught Parisian French at school. The French-speaking
population of Canada is growing relatively fast, and more than four-fifths of the population
of Quebec province uses French on a daily basis. The continuing activities of the separatist
movement provide evidence of the persistence of resentment among many French Canadians.
Letter signed by Eugène DelacroixLetter, signed by Eugène Delacroix, apologizing for a
period of silence during a bout of ill health, 1863; from a private collection.
French phonology is characterized by great changes in the sounds of words as compared
with their Latin parent forms as well as cognates in the other Romance languages. For example,
Latin secūrum ‘sure, secure’ became Spanish seguro but French sûr; Latin vōcem ‘voice’ became
Spanish voz but French voix, pronounced vwa.
French grammar
French grammar, like that of the other Romance languages, has been greatly simplified
from that of Latin. Nouns are not declined for case. Formerly, they were marked for plural by the
addition of -s or -es, but the ending, though retained in spelling, has generally been lost in
speech. Masculine and feminine gender are distinguished but are usually marked not in the noun
but rather in the accompanying article or adjective. Plural marking in spoken French is often
similarly distinguished. The verb in French is conjugated for three persons, singular and plural,
but again, although distinguished in spelling, several of these forms are pronounced identically.
French has verb forms for indicative, imperative, and subjunctive moods; preterite, imperfect,
present, future, and conditional, and a variety of perfect and progressive tenses; and passive and
reflexive constructions.
Linguistic change was more rapid and more drastic in northern France than it was in other
European Romance regions, and influence from Latin was comparatively slight (though
borrowing of Latin vocabulary has been great since the 14th century). The influence of the
Germanic Frankish invaders is often held to account for exotic features in Old French, such as
strong stress accent and abundant use of diphthongs and nasal vowels, but by the 15th century
the language had begun to change, and a sober (even monotonous) intonation and loss of a stress
accent became characteristic. The popularity of French as a first foreign language, in spite of
numerous pronunciation difficulties for nearly all foreign speakers, is perhaps as much the result
of the precise codification of its grammar, effectuated especially during the 18th century, as of
the brilliance of its literature at all periods.
Other dialects are grouped
Modern dialects are classified mainly on a geographic basis, and most survive only in rural
areas. Walloon, spoken mainly in Belgium, is something of an exception in that it has had a
flourishing dialect literature since approximately 1600. Other dialects are grouped as follows:
Central: Francien, Orléanais, Bourbonnais, Champenois
Northern: Picard, Northern Norman
Eastern: Lorrain, Bourguignon (Burgundian), Franc-Comtois
Western: Norman, Gallo (around the Celtic Breton area), Angevin, Manceau
Southwestern: Poitevin, Saintongeais, Angoumois
Canadian French
Outside France, the French of Canada, originally probably of northwestern dialect type,
has developed the most individual features. Although 18th-century Canadian French was
regarded as exceptionally “pure” by metropolitan commentators, it began to diverge from
Parisian French after 1760 as a consequence of its isolation from the metropolis and of the
ever-stronger influence of English. Canadian French is less clearly articulated, with less lip
movement and with a more monotonous intonation, than standard French; some change in
consonantal sounds occurs (/t/ and /d/ shift to /ts/ and /dz/, respectively, and both k and g
become palatalized [pronounced with the tongue touching the hard palate, or roof of the
mouth] when followed by the letters i or e); nasal vowels tend to lose the nasal element;
vocabulary and syntax are heavily Anglicized.
Although intellectuals turn toward France for cultural inspiration, the pronunciation and
usage of standard French is sometimes derided by French Canadians; this may be because
their English compatriots are taught Parisian French at school. The French-speaking
population of Canada is growing relatively fast, and more than four-fifths of the population
of Quebec province uses French on a daily basis. The continuing activities of the separatist
movement provide evidence of the persistence of resentment among many French Canadians.
Letter signed by Eugène DelacroixLetter, signed by Eugène Delacroix, apologizing for a
period of silence during a bout of ill health, 1863; from a private collection.
French phonology is characterized by great changes in the sounds of words as compared
with their Latin parent forms as well as cognates in the other Romance languages. For example,
Latin secūrum ‘sure, secure’ became Spanish seguro but French sûr; Latin vōcem ‘voice’ became
Spanish voz but French voix, pronounced vwa.
French grammar
French grammar, like that of the other Romance languages, has been greatly simplified
from that of Latin. Nouns are not declined for case. Formerly, they were marked for plural by the
addition of -s or -es, but the ending, though retained in spelling, has generally been lost in
speech. Masculine and feminine gender are distinguished but are usually marked not in the noun
but rather in the accompanying article or adjective. Plural marking in spoken French is often
similarly distinguished. The verb in French is conjugated for three persons, singular and plural,
but again, although distinguished in spelling, several of these forms are pronounced identically.
French has verb forms for indicative, imperative, and subjunctive moods; preterite, imperfect,
present, future, and conditional, and a variety of perfect and progressive tenses; and passive and
reflexive constructions.
Linguistic change was more rapid and more drastic in northern France than it was in other
European Romance regions, and influence from Latin was comparatively slight (though
borrowing of Latin vocabulary has been great since the 14th century). The influence of the
Germanic Frankish invaders is often held to account for exotic features in Old French, such as
strong stress accent and abundant use of diphthongs and nasal vowels, but by the 15th century
the language had begun to change, and a sober (even monotonous) intonation and loss of a stress
accent became characteristic. The popularity of French as a first foreign language, in spite of
numerous pronunciation difficulties for nearly all foreign speakers, is perhaps as much the result
of the precise codification of its grammar, effectuated especially during the 18th century, as of
the brilliance of its literature at all periods.
Other dialects are grouped
Modern dialects are classified mainly on a geographic basis, and most survive only in rural
areas. Walloon, spoken mainly in Belgium, is something of an exception in that it has had a
flourishing dialect literature since approximately 1600. Other dialects are grouped as follows:
Central: Francien, Orléanais, Bourbonnais, Champenois
Northern: Picard, Northern Norman
Eastern: Lorrain, Bourguignon (Burgundian), Franc-Comtois
Western: Norman, Gallo (around the Celtic Breton area), Angevin, Manceau
Southwestern: Poitevin, Saintongeais, Angoumois
Canadian French
Outside France, the French of Canada, originally probably of northwestern dialect type,
has developed the most individual features. Although 18th-century Canadian French was
regarded as exceptionally “pure” by metropolitan commentators, it began to diverge from
Parisian French after 1760 as a consequence of its isolation from the metropolis and of the
ever-stronger influence of English. Canadian French is less clearly articulated, with less lip
movement and with a more monotonous intonation, than standard French; some change in
consonantal sounds occurs (/t/ and /d/ shift to /ts/ and /dz/, respectively, and both k and g
become palatalized [pronounced with the tongue touching the hard palate, or roof of the
mouth] when followed by the letters i or e); nasal vowels tend to lose the nasal element;
vocabulary and syntax are heavily Anglicized.
Although intellectuals turn toward France for cultural inspiration, the pronunciation and
usage of standard French is sometimes derided by French Canadians; this may be because
their English compatriots are taught Parisian French at school. The French-speaking
population of Canada is growing relatively fast, and more than four-fifths of the population
of Quebec province uses French on a daily basis. The continuing activities of the separatist
movement provide evidence of the persistence of resentment among many French Canadians.
Letter signed by Eugène DelacroixLetter, signed by Eugène Delacroix, apologizing for a
period of silence during a bout of ill health, 1863; from a private collection.
French phonology is characterized by great changes in the sounds of words as compared
with their Latin parent forms as well as cognates in the other Romance languages. For example,
Latin secūrum ‘sure, secure’ became Spanish seguro but French sûr; Latin vōcem ‘voice’ became
Spanish voz but French voix, pronounced vwa.
French grammar
French grammar, like that of the other Romance languages, has been greatly simplified
from that of Latin. Nouns are not declined for case. Formerly, they were marked for plural by the
addition of -s or -es, but the ending, though retained in spelling, has generally been lost in
speech. Masculine and feminine gender are distinguished but are usually marked not in the noun
but rather in the accompanying article or adjective. Plural marking in spoken French is often
similarly distinguished. The verb in French is conjugated for three persons, singular and plural,
but again, although distinguished in spelling, several of these forms are pronounced identically.
French has verb forms for indicative, imperative, and subjunctive moods; preterite, imperfect,
present, future, and conditional, and a variety of perfect and progressive tenses; and passive and
reflexive constructions.
Linguistic change was more rapid and more drastic in northern France than it was in other
European Romance regions, and influence from Latin was comparatively slight (though
borrowing of Latin vocabulary has been great since the 14th century). The influence of the
Germanic Frankish invaders is often held to account for exotic features in Old French, such as
strong stress accent and abundant use of diphthongs and nasal vowels, but by the 15th century
the language had begun to change, and a sober (even monotonous) intonation and loss of a stress
accent became characteristic. The popularity of French as a first foreign language, in spite of
numerous pronunciation difficulties for nearly all foreign speakers, is perhaps as much the result
of the precise codification of its grammar, effectuated especially during the 18th century, as of
the brilliance of its literature at all periods.
Other dialects are grouped
Modern dialects are classified mainly on a geographic basis, and most survive only in rural
areas. Walloon, spoken mainly in Belgium, is something of an exception in that it has had a
flourishing dialect literature since approximately 1600. Other dialects are grouped as follows:
Central: Francien, Orléanais, Bourbonnais, Champenois
Northern: Picard, Northern Norman
Eastern: Lorrain, Bourguignon (Burgundian), Franc-Comtois
Western: Norman, Gallo (around the Celtic Breton area), Angevin, Manceau
Southwestern: Poitevin, Saintongeais, Angoumois
Canadian French
Outside France, the French of Canada, originally probably of northwestern dialect type,
has developed the most individual features. Although 18th-century Canadian French was
regarded as exceptionally “pure” by metropolitan commentators, it began to diverge from
Parisian French after 1760 as a consequence of its isolation from the metropolis and of the
ever-stronger influence of English. Canadian French is less clearly articulated, with less lip
movement and with a more monotonous intonation, than standard French; some change in
consonantal sounds occurs (/t/ and /d/ shift to /ts/ and /dz/, respectively, and both k and g
become palatalized [pronounced with the tongue touching the hard palate, or roof of the
mouth] when followed by the letters i or e); nasal vowels tend to lose the nasal element;
vocabulary and syntax are heavily Anglicized.
Although intellectuals turn toward France for cultural inspiration, the pronunciation and
usage of standard French is sometimes derided by French Canadians; this may be because
their English compatriots are taught Parisian French at school. The French-speaking
population of Canada is growing relatively fast, and more than four-fifths of the population
of Quebec province uses French on a daily basis. The continuing activities of the separatist
movement provide evidence of the persistence of resentment among many French Canadians.
Letter signed by Eugène DelacroixLetter, signed by Eugène Delacroix, apologizing for a
period of silence during a bout of ill health, 1863; from a private collection.
French phonology is characterized by great changes in the sounds of words as compared
with their Latin parent forms as well as cognates in the other Romance languages. For example,
Latin secūrum ‘sure, secure’ became Spanish seguro but French sûr; Latin vōcem ‘voice’ became
Spanish voz but French voix, pronounced vwa.
French grammar
French grammar, like that of the other Romance languages, has been greatly simplified
from that of Latin. Nouns are not declined for case. Formerly, they were marked for plural by the
addition of -s or -es, but the ending, though retained in spelling, has generally been lost in
speech. Masculine and feminine gender are distinguished but are usually marked not in the noun
but rather in the accompanying article or adjective. Plural marking in spoken French is often
similarly distinguished. The verb in French is conjugated for three persons, singular and plural,
but again, although distinguished in spelling, several of these forms are pronounced identically.
French has verb forms for indicative, imperative, and subjunctive moods; preterite, imperfect,
present, future, and conditional, and a variety of perfect and progressive tenses; and passive and
reflexive constructions.
Linguistic change was more rapid and more drastic in northern France than it was in other
European Romance regions, and influence from Latin was comparatively slight (though
borrowing of Latin vocabulary has been great since the 14th century). The influence of the
Germanic Frankish invaders is often held to account for exotic features in Old French, such as
strong stress accent and abundant use of diphthongs and nasal vowels, but by the 15th century
the language had begun to change, and a sober (even monotonous) intonation and loss of a stress
accent became characteristic. The popularity of French as a first foreign language, in spite of
numerous pronunciation difficulties for nearly all foreign speakers, is perhaps as much the result
of the precise codification of its grammar, effectuated especially during the 18th century, as of
the brilliance of its literature at all periods.
Other dialects are grouped
Modern dialects are classified mainly on a geographic basis, and most survive only in rural
areas. Walloon, spoken mainly in Belgium, is something of an exception in that it has had a
flourishing dialect literature since approximately 1600. Other dialects are grouped as follows:
Central: Francien, Orléanais, Bourbonnais, Champenois
Northern: Picard, Northern Norman
Eastern: Lorrain, Bourguignon (Burgundian), Franc-Comtois
Western: Norman, Gallo (around the Celtic Breton area), Angevin, Manceau
Southwestern: Poitevin, Saintongeais, Angoumois
Canadian French
Outside France, the French of Canada, originally probably of northwestern dialect type,
has developed the most individual features. Although 18th-century Canadian French was
regarded as exceptionally “pure” by metropolitan commentators, it began to diverge from
Parisian French after 1760 as a consequence of its isolation from the metropolis and of the
ever-stronger influence of English. Canadian French is less clearly articulated, with less lip
movement and with a more monotonous intonation, than standard French; some change in
consonantal sounds occurs (/t/ and /d/ shift to /ts/ and /dz/, respectively, and both k and g
become palatalized [pronounced with the tongue touching the hard palate, or roof of the
mouth] when followed by the letters i or e); nasal vowels tend to lose the nasal element;
vocabulary and syntax are heavily Anglicized.
Although intellectuals turn toward France for cultural inspiration, the pronunciation and
usage of standard French is sometimes derided by French Canadians; this may be because
their English compatriots are taught Parisian French at school. The French-speaking
population of Canada is growing relatively fast, and more than four-fifths of the population
of Quebec province uses French on a daily basis. The continuing activities of the separatist
movement provide evidence of the persistence of resentment among many French Canadians.
Letter signed by Eugène DelacroixLetter, signed by Eugène Delacroix, apologizing for a
period of silence during a bout of ill health, 1863; from a private collection.
French phonology is characterized by great changes in the sounds of words as compared
with their Latin parent forms as well as cognates in the other Romance languages. For example,
Latin secūrum ‘sure, secure’ became Spanish seguro but French sûr; Latin vōcem ‘voice’ became
Spanish voz but French voix, pronounced vwa.
French grammar
French grammar, like that of the other Romance languages, has been greatly simplified
from that of Latin. Nouns are not declined for case. Formerly, they were marked for plural by the
addition of -s or -es, but the ending, though retained in spelling, has generally been lost in
speech. Masculine and feminine gender are distinguished but are usually marked not in the noun
but rather in the accompanying article or adjective. Plural marking in spoken French is often
similarly distinguished. The verb in French is conjugated for three persons, singular and plural,
but again, although distinguished in spelling, several of these forms are pronounced identically.
French has verb forms for indicative, imperative, and subjunctive moods; preterite, imperfect,
present, future, and conditional, and a variety of perfect and progressive tenses; and passive and
reflexive constructions.
Linguistic change was more rapid and more drastic in northern France than it was in other
European Romance regions, and influence from Latin was comparatively slight (though
borrowing of Latin vocabulary has been great since the 14th century). The influence of the
Germanic Frankish invaders is often held to account for exotic features in Old French, such as
strong stress accent and abundant use of diphthongs and nasal vowels, but by the 15th century
the language had begun to change, and a sober (even monotonous) intonation and loss of a stress
accent became characteristic. The popularity of French as a first foreign language, in spite of
numerous pronunciation difficulties for nearly all foreign speakers, is perhaps as much the result
of the precise codification of its grammar, effectuated especially during the 18th century, as of
the brilliance of its literature at all periods.
Other dialects are grouped
Modern dialects are classified mainly on a geographic basis, and most survive only in rural
areas. Walloon, spoken mainly in Belgium, is something of an exception in that it has had a
flourishing dialect literature since approximately 1600. Other dialects are grouped as follows:
Central: Francien, Orléanais, Bourbonnais, Champenois
Northern: Picard, Northern Norman
Eastern: Lorrain, Bourguignon (Burgundian), Franc-Comtois
Western: Norman, Gallo (around the Celtic Breton area), Angevin, Manceau
Southwestern: Poitevin, Saintongeais, Angoumois
Canadian French
Outside France, the French of Canada, originally probably of northwestern dialect type,
has developed the most individual features. Although 18th-century Canadian French was
regarded as exceptionally “pure” by metropolitan commentators, it began to diverge from
Parisian French after 1760 as a consequence of its isolation from the metropolis and of the
ever-stronger influence of English. Canadian French is less clearly articulated, with less lip
movement and with a more monotonous intonation, than standard French; some change in
consonantal sounds occurs (/t/ and /d/ shift to /ts/ and /dz/, respectively, and both k and g
become palatalized [pronounced with the tongue touching the hard palate, or roof of the
mouth] when followed by the letters i or e); nasal vowels tend to lose the nasal element;
vocabulary and syntax are heavily Anglicized.
Although intellectuals turn toward France for cultural inspiration, the pronunciation and
usage of standard French is sometimes derided by French Canadians; this may be because
their English compatriots are taught Parisian French at school. The French-speaking
population of Canada is growing relatively fast, and more than four-fifths of the population
of Quebec province uses French on a daily basis. The continuing activities of the separatist
movement provide evidence of the persistence of resentment among many French Canadians.
Letter signed by Eugène DelacroixLetter, signed by Eugène Delacroix, apologizing for a
period of silence during a bout of ill health, 1863; from a private collection.
French phonology is characterized by great changes in the sounds of words as compared
with their Latin parent forms as well as cognates in the other Romance languages. For example,
Latin secūrum ‘sure, secure’ became Spanish seguro but French sûr; Latin vōcem ‘voice’ became
Spanish voz but French voix, pronounced vwa.
French grammar
French grammar, like that of the other Romance languages, has been greatly simplified
from that of Latin. Nouns are not declined for case. Formerly, they were marked for plural by the
addition of -s or -es, but the ending, though retained in spelling, has generally been lost in
speech. Masculine and feminine gender are distinguished but are usually marked not in the noun
but rather in the accompanying article or adjective. Plural marking in spoken French is often
similarly distinguished. The verb in French is conjugated for three persons, singular and plural,
but again, although distinguished in spelling, several of these forms are pronounced identically.
French has verb forms for indicative, imperative, and subjunctive moods; preterite, imperfect,
present, future, and conditional, and a variety of perfect and progressive tenses; and passive and
reflexive constructions.
Linguistic change was more rapid and more drastic in northern France than it was in other
European Romance regions, and influence from Latin was comparatively slight (though
borrowing of Latin vocabulary has been great since the 14th century). The influence of the
Germanic Frankish invaders is often held to account for exotic features in Old French, such as
strong stress accent and abundant use of diphthongs and nasal vowels, but by the 15th century
the language had begun to change, and a sober (even monotonous) intonation and loss of a stress
accent became characteristic. The popularity of French as a first foreign language, in spite of
numerous pronunciation difficulties for nearly all foreign speakers, is perhaps as much the result
of the precise codification of its grammar, effectuated especially during the 18th century, as of
the brilliance of its literature at all periods.
Other dialects are grouped
Modern dialects are classified mainly on a geographic basis, and most survive only in rural
areas. Walloon, spoken mainly in Belgium, is something of an exception in that it has had a
flourishing dialect literature since approximately 1600. Other dialects are grouped as follows:
Central: Francien, Orléanais, Bourbonnais, Champenois
Northern: Picard, Northern Norman
Eastern: Lorrain, Bourguignon (Burgundian), Franc-Comtois
Western: Norman, Gallo (around the Celtic Breton area), Angevin, Manceau
Southwestern: Poitevin, Saintongeais, Angoumois
Canadian French
Outside France, the French of Canada, originally probably of northwestern dialect type,
has developed the most individual features. Although 18th-century Canadian French was
regarded as exceptionally “pure” by metropolitan commentators, it began to diverge from
Parisian French after 1760 as a consequence of its isolation from the metropolis and of the
ever-stronger influence of English. Canadian French is less clearly articulated, with less lip
movement and with a more monotonous intonation, than standard French; some change in
consonantal sounds occurs (/t/ and /d/ shift to /ts/ and /dz/, respectively, and both k and g
become palatalized [pronounced with the tongue touching the hard palate, or roof of the
mouth] when followed by the letters i or e); nasal vowels tend to lose the nasal element;
vocabulary and syntax are heavily Anglicized.
Although intellectuals turn toward France for cultural inspiration, the pronunciation and
usage of standard French is sometimes derided by French Canadians; this may be because
their English compatriots are taught Parisian French at school. The French-speaking
population of Canada is growing relatively fast, and more than four-fifths of the population
of Quebec province uses French on a daily basis. The continuing activities of the separatist
movement provide evidence of the persistence of resentment among many French Canadians.
Letter signed by Eugène DelacroixLetter, signed by Eugène Delacroix, apologizing for a
period of silence during a bout of ill health, 1863; from a private collection.
French phonology is characterized by great changes in the sounds of words as compared
with their Latin parent forms as well as cognates in the other Romance languages. For example,
Latin secūrum ‘sure, secure’ became Spanish seguro but French sûr; Latin vōcem ‘voice’ became
Spanish voz but French voix, pronounced vwa.
French grammar
French grammar, like that of the other Romance languages, has been greatly simplified
from that of Latin. Nouns are not declined for case. Formerly, they were marked for plural by the
addition of -s or -es, but the ending, though retained in spelling, has generally been lost in
speech. Masculine and feminine gender are distinguished but are usually marked not in the noun
but rather in the accompanying article or adjective. Plural marking in spoken French is often
similarly distinguished. The verb in French is conjugated for three persons, singular and plural,
but again, although distinguished in spelling, several of these forms are pronounced identically.
French has verb forms for indicative, imperative, and subjunctive moods; preterite, imperfect,
present, future, and conditional, and a variety of perfect and progressive tenses; and passive and
reflexive constructions.
Linguistic change was more rapid and more drastic in northern France than it was in other
European Romance regions, and influence from Latin was comparatively slight (though
borrowing of Latin vocabulary has been great since the 14th century). The influence of the
Germanic Frankish invaders is often held to account for exotic features in Old French, such as
strong stress accent and abundant use of diphthongs and nasal vowels, but by the 15th century
the language had begun to change, and a sober (even monotonous) intonation and loss of a stress
accent became characteristic. The popularity of French as a first foreign language, in spite of
numerous pronunciation difficulties for nearly all foreign speakers, is perhaps as much the result
of the precise codification of its grammar, effectuated especially during the 18th century, as of
the brilliance of its literature at all periods.
Other dialects are grouped
Modern dialects are classified mainly on a geographic basis, and most survive only in rural
areas. Walloon, spoken mainly in Belgium, is something of an exception in that it has had a
flourishing dialect literature since approximately 1600. Other dialects are grouped as follows:
Central: Francien, Orléanais, Bourbonnais, Champenois
Northern: Picard, Northern Norman
Eastern: Lorrain, Bourguignon (Burgundian), Franc-Comtois
Western: Norman, Gallo (around the Celtic Breton area), Angevin, Manceau
Southwestern: Poitevin, Saintongeais, Angoumois
Canadian French
Outside France, the French of Canada, originally probably of northwestern dialect type,
has developed the most individual features. Although 18th-century Canadian French was
regarded as exceptionally “pure” by metropolitan commentators, it began to diverge from
Parisian French after 1760 as a consequence of its isolation from the metropolis and of the
ever-stronger influence of English. Canadian French is less clearly articulated, with less lip
movement and with a more monotonous intonation, than standard French; some change in
consonantal sounds occurs (/t/ and /d/ shift to /ts/ and /dz/, respectively, and both k and g
become palatalized [pronounced with the tongue touching the hard palate, or roof of the
mouth] when followed by the letters i or e); nasal vowels tend to lose the nasal element;
vocabulary and syntax are heavily Anglicized.
Although intellectuals turn toward France for cultural inspiration, the pronunciation and
usage of standard French is sometimes derided by French Canadians; this may be because
their English compatriots are taught Parisian French at school. The French-speaking
population of Canada is growing relatively fast, and more than four-fifths of the population
of Quebec province uses French on a daily basis. The continuing activities of the separatist
movement provide evidence of the persistence of resentment among many French Canadians.
Letter signed by Eugène DelacroixLetter, signed by Eugène Delacroix, apologizing for a
period of silence during a bout of ill health, 1863; from a private collection.
French phonology is characterized by great changes in the sounds of words as compared
with their Latin parent forms as well as cognates in the other Romance languages. For example,
Latin secūrum ‘sure, secure’ became Spanish seguro but French sûr; Latin vōcem ‘voice’ became
Spanish voz but French voix, pronounced vwa.
French grammar
French grammar, like that of the other Romance languages, has been greatly simplified
from that of Latin. Nouns are not declined for case. Formerly, they were marked for plural by the
addition of -s or -es, but the ending, though retained in spelling, has generally been lost in
speech. Masculine and feminine gender are distinguished but are usually marked not in the noun
but rather in the accompanying article or adjective. Plural marking in spoken French is often
similarly distinguished. The verb in French is conjugated for three persons, singular and plural,
but again, although distinguished in spelling, several of these forms are pronounced identically.
French has verb forms for indicative, imperative, and subjunctive moods; preterite, imperfect,
present, future, and conditional, and a variety of perfect and progressive tenses; and passive and
reflexive constructions.
Linguistic change was more rapid and more drastic in northern France than it was in other
European Romance regions, and influence from Latin was comparatively slight (though
borrowing of Latin vocabulary has been great since the 14th century). The influence of the
Germanic Frankish invaders is often held to account for exotic features in Old French, such as
strong stress accent and abundant use of diphthongs and nasal vowels, but by the 15th century
the language had begun to change, and a sober (even monotonous) intonation and loss of a stress
accent became characteristic. The popularity of French as a first foreign language, in spite of
numerous pronunciation difficulties for nearly all foreign speakers, is perhaps as much the result
of the precise codification of its grammar, effectuated especially during the 18th century, as of
the brilliance of its literature at all periods.
Other dialects are grouped
Modern dialects are classified mainly on a geographic basis, and most survive only in rural
areas. Walloon, spoken mainly in Belgium, is something of an exception in that it has had a
flourishing dialect literature since approximately 1600. Other dialects are grouped as follows:
Central: Francien, Orléanais, Bourbonnais, Champenois
Northern: Picard, Northern Norman
Eastern: Lorrain, Bourguignon (Burgundian), Franc-Comtois
Western: Norman, Gallo (around the Celtic Breton area), Angevin, Manceau
Southwestern: Poitevin, Saintongeais, Angoumois
Canadian French
Outside France, the French of Canada, originally probably of northwestern dialect type,
has developed the most individual features. Although 18th-century Canadian French was
regarded as exceptionally “pure” by metropolitan commentators, it began to diverge from
Parisian French after 1760 as a consequence of its isolation from the metropolis and of the
ever-stronger influence of English. Canadian French is less clearly articulated, with less lip
movement and with a more monotonous intonation, than standard French; some change in
consonantal sounds occurs (/t/ and /d/ shift to /ts/ and /dz/, respectively, and both k and g
become palatalized [pronounced with the tongue touching the hard palate, or roof of the
mouth] when followed by the letters i or e); nasal vowels tend to lose the nasal element;
vocabulary and syntax are heavily Anglicized.
Although intellectuals turn toward France for cultural inspiration, the pronunciation and
usage of standard French is sometimes derided by French Canadians; this may be because
their English compatriots are taught Parisian French at school. The French-speaking
population of Canada is growing relatively fast, and more than four-fifths of the population
of Quebec province uses French on a daily basis. The continuing activities of the separatist
movement provide evidence of the persistence of resentment among many French Canadians.
Letter signed by Eugène DelacroixLetter, signed by Eugène Delacroix, apologizing for a
period of silence during a bout of ill health, 1863; from a private collection.
French phonology is characterized by great changes in the sounds of words as compared
with their Latin parent forms as well as cognates in the other Romance languages. For example,
Latin secūrum ‘sure, secure’ became Spanish seguro but French sûr; Latin vōcem ‘voice’ became
Spanish voz but French voix, pronounced vwa.
French grammar
French grammar, like that of the other Romance languages, has been greatly simplified
from that of Latin. Nouns are not declined for case. Formerly, they were marked for plural by the
addition of -s or -es, but the ending, though retained in spelling, has generally been lost in
speech. Masculine and feminine gender are distinguished but are usually marked not in the noun
but rather in the accompanying article or adjective. Plural marking in spoken French is often
similarly distinguished. The verb in French is conjugated for three persons, singular and plural,
but again, although distinguished in spelling, several of these forms are pronounced identically.
French has verb forms for indicative, imperative, and subjunctive moods; preterite, imperfect,
present, future, and conditional, and a variety of perfect and progressive tenses; and passive and
reflexive constructions.
Linguistic change was more rapid and more drastic in northern France than it was in other
European Romance regions, and influence from Latin was comparatively slight (though
borrowing of Latin vocabulary has been great since the 14th century). The influence of the
Germanic Frankish invaders is often held to account for exotic features in Old French, such as
strong stress accent and abundant use of diphthongs and nasal vowels, but by the 15th century
the language had begun to change, and a sober (even monotonous) intonation and loss of a stress
accent became characteristic. The popularity of French as a first foreign language, in spite of
numerous pronunciation difficulties for nearly all foreign speakers, is perhaps as much the result
of the precise codification of its grammar, effectuated especially during the 18th century, as of
the brilliance of its literature at all periods.
Other dialects are grouped
Modern dialects are classified mainly on a geographic basis, and most survive only in rural
areas. Walloon, spoken mainly in Belgium, is something of an exception in that it has had a
flourishing dialect literature since approximately 1600. Other dialects are grouped as follows:
Central: Francien, Orléanais, Bourbonnais, Champenois
Northern: Picard, Northern Norman
Eastern: Lorrain, Bourguignon (Burgundian), Franc-Comtois
Western: Norman, Gallo (around the Celtic Breton area), Angevin, Manceau
Southwestern: Poitevin, Saintongeais, Angoumois
Canadian French
Outside France, the French of Canada, originally probably of northwestern dialect type,
has developed the most individual features. Although 18th-century Canadian French was
regarded as exceptionally “pure” by metropolitan commentators, it began to diverge from
Parisian French after 1760 as a consequence of its isolation from the metropolis and of the
ever-stronger influence of English. Canadian French is less clearly articulated, with less lip
movement and with a more monotonous intonation, than standard French; some change in
consonantal sounds occurs (/t/ and /d/ shift to /ts/ and /dz/, respectively, and both k and g
become palatalized [pronounced with the tongue touching the hard palate, or roof of the
mouth] when followed by the letters i or e); nasal vowels tend to lose the nasal element;
vocabulary and syntax are heavily Anglicized.
Although intellectuals turn toward France for cultural inspiration, the pronunciation and
usage of standard French is sometimes derided by French Canadians; this may be because
their English compatriots are taught Parisian French at school. The French-speaking
population of Canada is growing relatively fast, and more than four-fifths of the population
of Quebec province uses French on a daily basis. The continuing activities of the separatist
movement provide evidence of the persistence of resentment among many French Canadians.
Letter signed by Eugène DelacroixLetter, signed by Eugène Delacroix, apologizing for a
period of silence during a bout of ill health, 1863; from a private collection.
French phonology is characterized by great changes in the sounds of words as compared
with their Latin parent forms as well as cognates in the other Romance languages. For example,
Latin secūrum ‘sure, secure’ became Spanish seguro but French sûr; Latin vōcem ‘voice’ became
Spanish voz but French voix, pronounced vwa.
French grammar
French grammar, like that of the other Romance languages, has been greatly simplified
from that of Latin. Nouns are not declined for case. Formerly, they were marked for plural by the
addition of -s or -es, but the ending, though retained in spelling, has generally been lost in
speech. Masculine and feminine gender are distinguished but are usually marked not in the noun
but rather in the accompanying article or adjective. Plural marking in spoken French is often
similarly distinguished. The verb in French is conjugated for three persons, singular and plural,
but again, although distinguished in spelling, several of these forms are pronounced identically.
French has verb forms for indicative, imperative, and subjunctive moods; preterite, imperfect,
present, future, and conditional, and a variety of perfect and progressive tenses; and passive and
reflexive constructions.
Linguistic change was more rapid and more drastic in northern France than it was in other
European Romance regions, and influence from Latin was comparatively slight (though
borrowing of Latin vocabulary has been great since the 14th century). The influence of the
Germanic Frankish invaders is often held to account for exotic features in Old French, such as
strong stress accent and abundant use of diphthongs and nasal vowels, but by the 15th century
the language had begun to change, and a sober (even monotonous) intonation and loss of a stress
accent became characteristic. The popularity of French as a first foreign language, in spite of
numerous pronunciation difficulties for nearly all foreign speakers, is perhaps as much the result
of the precise codification of its grammar, effectuated especially during the 18th century, as of
the brilliance of its literature at all periods.
Other dialects are grouped
Modern dialects are classified mainly on a geographic basis, and most survive only in rural
areas. Walloon, spoken mainly in Belgium, is something of an exception in that it has had a
flourishing dialect literature since approximately 1600. Other dialects are grouped as follows:
Central: Francien, Orléanais, Bourbonnais, Champenois
Northern: Picard, Northern Norman
Eastern: Lorrain, Bourguignon (Burgundian), Franc-Comtois
Western: Norman, Gallo (around the Celtic Breton area), Angevin, Manceau
Southwestern: Poitevin, Saintongeais, Angoumois
Canadian French
Outside France, the French of Canada, originally probably of northwestern dialect type,
has developed the most individual features. Although 18th-century Canadian French was
regarded as exceptionally “pure” by metropolitan commentators, it began to diverge from
Parisian French after 1760 as a consequence of its isolation from the metropolis and of the
ever-stronger influence of English. Canadian French is less clearly articulated, with less lip
movement and with a more monotonous intonation, than standard French; some change in
consonantal sounds occurs (/t/ and /d/ shift to /ts/ and /dz/, respectively, and both k and g
become palatalized [pronounced with the tongue touching the hard palate, or roof of the
mouth] when followed by the letters i or e); nasal vowels tend to lose the nasal element;
vocabulary and syntax are heavily Anglicized.
Although intellectuals turn toward France for cultural inspiration, the pronunciation and
usage of standard French is sometimes derided by French Canadians; this may be because
their English compatriots are taught Parisian French at school. The French-speaking
population of Canada is growing relatively fast, and more than four-fifths of the population
of Quebec province uses French on a daily basis. The continuing activities of the separatist
movement provide evidence of the persistence of resentment among many French Canadians.
Letter signed by Eugène DelacroixLetter, signed by Eugène Delacroix, apologizing for a
period of silence during a bout of ill health, 1863; from a private collection.
French phonology is characterized by great changes in the sounds of words as compared
with their Latin parent forms as well as cognates in the other Romance languages. For example,
Latin secūrum ‘sure, secure’ became Spanish seguro but French sûr; Latin vōcem ‘voice’ became
Spanish voz but French voix, pronounced vwa.
French grammar
French grammar, like that of the other Romance languages, has been greatly simplified
from that of Latin. Nouns are not declined for case. Formerly, they were marked for plural by the
addition of -s or -es, but the ending, though retained in spelling, has generally been lost in
speech. Masculine and feminine gender are distinguished but are usually marked not in the noun
but rather in the accompanying article or adjective. Plural marking in spoken French is often
similarly distinguished. The verb in French is conjugated for three persons, singular and plural,
but again, although distinguished in spelling, several of these forms are pronounced identically.
French has verb forms for indicative, imperative, and subjunctive moods; preterite, imperfect,
present, future, and conditional, and a variety of perfect and progressive tenses; and passive and
reflexive constructions.
Linguistic change was more rapid and more drastic in northern France than it was in other
European Romance regions, and influence from Latin was comparatively slight (though
borrowing of Latin vocabulary has been great since the 14th century). The influence of the
Germanic Frankish invaders is often held to account for exotic features in Old French, such as
strong stress accent and abundant use of diphthongs and nasal vowels, but by the 15th century
the language had begun to change, and a sober (even monotonous) intonation and loss of a stress
accent became characteristic. The popularity of French as a first foreign language, in spite of
numerous pronunciation difficulties for nearly all foreign speakers, is perhaps as much the result
of the precise codification of its grammar, effectuated especially during the 18th century, as of
the brilliance of its literature at all periods.
Other dialects are grouped
Modern dialects are classified mainly on a geographic basis, and most survive only in rural
areas. Walloon, spoken mainly in Belgium, is something of an exception in that it has had a
flourishing dialect literature since approximately 1600. Other dialects are grouped as follows:
Central: Francien, Orléanais, Bourbonnais, Champenois
Northern: Picard, Northern Norman
Eastern: Lorrain, Bourguignon (Burgundian), Franc-Comtois
Western: Norman, Gallo (around the Celtic Breton area), Angevin, Manceau
Southwestern: Poitevin, Saintongeais, Angoumois
Canadian French
Outside France, the French of Canada, originally probably of northwestern dialect type,
has developed the most individual features. Although 18th-century Canadian French was
regarded as exceptionally “pure” by metropolitan commentators, it began to diverge from
Parisian French after 1760 as a consequence of its isolation from the metropolis and of the
ever-stronger influence of English. Canadian French is less clearly articulated, with less lip
movement and with a more monotonous intonation, than standard French; some change in
consonantal sounds occurs (/t/ and /d/ shift to /ts/ and /dz/, respectively, and both k and g
become palatalized [pronounced with the tongue touching the hard palate, or roof of the
mouth] when followed by the letters i or e); nasal vowels tend to lose the nasal element;
vocabulary and syntax are heavily Anglicized.
Although intellectuals turn toward France for cultural inspiration, the pronunciation and
usage of standard French is sometimes derided by French Canadians; this may be because
their English compatriots are taught Parisian French at school. The French-speaking
population of Canada is growing relatively fast, and more than four-fifths of the population
of Quebec province uses French on a daily basis. The continuing activities of the separatist
movement provide evidence of the persistence of resentment among many French Canadians.
Letter signed by Eugène DelacroixLetter, signed by Eugène Delacroix, apologizing for a
period of silence during a bout of ill health, 1863; from a private collection.
French phonology is characterized by great changes in the sounds of words as compared
with their Latin parent forms as well as cognates in the other Romance languages. For example,
Latin secūrum ‘sure, secure’ became Spanish seguro but French sûr; Latin vōcem ‘voice’ became
Spanish voz but French voix, pronounced vwa.
French grammar
French grammar, like that of the other Romance languages, has been greatly simplified
from that of Latin. Nouns are not declined for case. Formerly, they were marked for plural by the
addition of -s or -es, but the ending, though retained in spelling, has generally been lost in
speech. Masculine and feminine gender are distinguished but are usually marked not in the noun
but rather in the accompanying article or adjective. Plural marking in spoken French is often
similarly distinguished. The verb in French is conjugated for three persons, singular and plural,
but again, although distinguished in spelling, several of these forms are pronounced identically.
French has verb forms for indicative, imperative, and subjunctive moods; preterite, imperfect,
present, future, and conditional, and a variety of perfect and progressive tenses; and passive and
reflexive constructions.
Linguistic change was more rapid and more drastic in northern France than it was in other
European Romance regions, and influence from Latin was comparatively slight (though
borrowing of Latin vocabulary has been great since the 14th century). The influence of the
Germanic Frankish invaders is often held to account for exotic features in Old French, such as
strong stress accent and abundant use of diphthongs and nasal vowels, but by the 15th century
the language had begun to change, and a sober (even monotonous) intonation and loss of a stress
accent became characteristic. The popularity of French as a first foreign language, in spite of
numerous pronunciation difficulties for nearly all foreign speakers, is perhaps as much the result
of the precise codification of its grammar, effectuated especially during the 18th century, as of
the brilliance of its literature at all periods.
Other dialects are grouped
Modern dialects are classified mainly on a geographic basis, and most survive only in rural
areas. Walloon, spoken mainly in Belgium, is something of an exception in that it has had a
flourishing dialect literature since approximately 1600. Other dialects are grouped as follows:
Central: Francien, Orléanais, Bourbonnais, Champenois
Northern: Picard, Northern Norman
Eastern: Lorrain, Bourguignon (Burgundian), Franc-Comtois
Western: Norman, Gallo (around the Celtic Breton area), Angevin, Manceau
Southwestern: Poitevin, Saintongeais, Angoumois
Canadian French
Outside France, the French of Canada, originally probably of northwestern dialect type,
has developed the most individual features. Although 18th-century Canadian French was
regarded as exceptionally “pure” by metropolitan commentators, it began to diverge from
Parisian French after 1760 as a consequence of its isolation from the metropolis and of the
ever-stronger influence of English. Canadian French is less clearly articulated, with less lip
movement and with a more monotonous intonation, than standard French; some change in
consonantal sounds occurs (/t/ and /d/ shift to /ts/ and /dz/, respectively, and both k and g
become palatalized [pronounced with the tongue touching the hard palate, or roof of the
mouth] when followed by the letters i or e); nasal vowels tend to lose the nasal element;
vocabulary and syntax are heavily Anglicized.
Although intellectuals turn toward France for cultural inspiration, the pronunciation and
usage of standard French is sometimes derided by French Canadians; this may be because
their English compatriots are taught Parisian French at school. The French-speaking
population of Canada is growing relatively fast, and more than four-fifths of the population
of Quebec province uses French on a daily basis. The continuing activities of the separatist
movement provide evidence of the persistence of resentment among many French Canadians.
Letter signed by Eugène DelacroixLetter, signed by Eugène Delacroix, apologizing for a
period of silence during a bout of ill health, 1863; from a private collection.
French phonology is characterized by great changes in the sounds of words as compared
with their Latin parent forms as well as cognates in the other Romance languages. For example,
Latin secūrum ‘sure, secure’ became Spanish seguro but French sûr; Latin vōcem ‘voice’ became
Spanish voz but French voix, pronounced vwa.
French grammar
French grammar, like that of the other Romance languages, has been greatly simplified
from that of Latin. Nouns are not declined for case. Formerly, they were marked for plural by the
addition of -s or -es, but the ending, though retained in spelling, has generally been lost in
speech. Masculine and feminine gender are distinguished but are usually marked not in the noun
but rather in the accompanying article or adjective. Plural marking in spoken French is often
similarly distinguished. The verb in French is conjugated for three persons, singular and plural,
but again, although distinguished in spelling, several of these forms are pronounced identically.
French has verb forms for indicative, imperative, and subjunctive moods; preterite, imperfect,
present, future, and conditional, and a variety of perfect and progressive tenses; and passive and
reflexive constructions.
Linguistic change was more rapid and more drastic in northern France than it was in other
European Romance regions, and influence from Latin was comparatively slight (though
borrowing of Latin vocabulary has been great since the 14th century). The influence of the
Germanic Frankish invaders is often held to account for exotic features in Old French, such as
strong stress accent and abundant use of diphthongs and nasal vowels, but by the 15th century
the language had begun to change, and a sober (even monotonous) intonation and loss of a stress
accent became characteristic. The popularity of French as a first foreign language, in spite of
numerous pronunciation difficulties for nearly all foreign speakers, is perhaps as much the result
of the precise codification of its grammar, effectuated especially during the 18th century, as of
the brilliance of its literature at all periods.
Other dialects are grouped
Modern dialects are classified mainly on a geographic basis, and most survive only in rural
areas. Walloon, spoken mainly in Belgium, is something of an exception in that it has had a
flourishing dialect literature since approximately 1600. Other dialects are grouped as follows:
Central: Francien, Orléanais, Bourbonnais, Champenois
Northern: Picard, Northern Norman
Eastern: Lorrain, Bourguignon (Burgundian), Franc-Comtois
Western: Norman, Gallo (around the Celtic Breton area), Angevin, Manceau
Southwestern: Poitevin, Saintongeais, Angoumois
Canadian French
Outside France, the French of Canada, originally probably of northwestern dialect type,
has developed the most individual features. Although 18th-century Canadian French was
regarded as exceptionally “pure” by metropolitan commentators, it began to diverge from
Parisian French after 1760 as a consequence of its isolation from the metropolis and of the
ever-stronger influence of English. Canadian French is less clearly articulated, with less lip
movement and with a more monotonous intonation, than standard French; some change in
consonantal sounds occurs (/t/ and /d/ shift to /ts/ and /dz/, respectively, and both k and g
become palatalized [pronounced with the tongue touching the hard palate, or roof of the
mouth] when followed by the letters i or e); nasal vowels tend to lose the nasal element;
vocabulary and syntax are heavily Anglicized.
Although intellectuals turn toward France for cultural inspiration, the pronunciation and
usage of standard French is sometimes derided by French Canadians; this may be because
their English compatriots are taught Parisian French at school. The French-speaking
population of Canada is growing relatively fast, and more than four-fifths of the population
of Quebec province uses French on a daily basis. The continuing activities of the separatist
movement provide evidence of the persistence of resentment among many French Canadians.
Letter signed by Eugène DelacroixLetter, signed by Eugène Delacroix, apologizing for a
period of silence during a bout of ill health, 1863; from a private collection.
French phonology is characterized by great changes in the sounds of words as compared
with their Latin parent forms as well as cognates in the other Romance languages. For example,
Latin secūrum ‘sure, secure’ became Spanish seguro but French sûr; Latin vōcem ‘voice’ became
Spanish voz but French voix, pronounced vwa.
French grammar
French grammar, like that of the other Romance languages, has been greatly simplified
from that of Latin. Nouns are not declined for case. Formerly, they were marked for plural by the
addition of -s or -es, but the ending, though retained in spelling, has generally been lost in
speech. Masculine and feminine gender are distinguished but are usually marked not in the noun
but rather in the accompanying article or adjective. Plural marking in spoken French is often
similarly distinguished. The verb in French is conjugated for three persons, singular and plural,
but again, although distinguished in spelling, several of these forms are pronounced identically.
French has verb forms for indicative, imperative, and subjunctive moods; preterite, imperfect,
present, future, and conditional, and a variety of perfect and progressive tenses; and passive and
reflexive constructions.
Linguistic change was more rapid and more drastic in northern France than it was in other
European Romance regions, and influence from Latin was comparatively slight (though
borrowing of Latin vocabulary has been great since the 14th century). The influence of the
Germanic Frankish invaders is often held to account for exotic features in Old French, such as
strong stress accent and abundant use of diphthongs and nasal vowels, but by the 15th century
the language had begun to change, and a sober (even monotonous) intonation and loss of a stress
accent became characteristic. The popularity of French as a first foreign language, in spite of
numerous pronunciation difficulties for nearly all foreign speakers, is perhaps as much the result
of the precise codification of its grammar, effectuated especially during the 18th century, as of
the brilliance of its literature at all periods.
Other dialects are grouped
Modern dialects are classified mainly on a geographic basis, and most survive only in rural
areas. Walloon, spoken mainly in Belgium, is something of an exception in that it has had a
flourishing dialect literature since approximately 1600. Other dialects are grouped as follows:
Central: Francien, Orléanais, Bourbonnais, Champenois
Northern: Picard, Northern Norman
Eastern: Lorrain, Bourguignon (Burgundian), Franc-Comtois
Western: Norman, Gallo (around the Celtic Breton area), Angevin, Manceau
Southwestern: Poitevin, Saintongeais, Angoumois
Canadian French
Outside France, the French of Canada, originally probably of northwestern dialect type,
has developed the most individual features. Although 18th-century Canadian French was
regarded as exceptionally “pure” by metropolitan commentators, it began to diverge from
Parisian French after 1760 as a consequence of its isolation from the metropolis and of the
ever-stronger influence of English. Canadian French is less clearly articulated, with less lip
movement and with a more monotonous intonation, than standard French; some change in
consonantal sounds occurs (/t/ and /d/ shift to /ts/ and /dz/, respectively, and both k and g
become palatalized [pronounced with the tongue touching the hard palate, or roof of the
mouth] when followed by the letters i or e); nasal vowels tend to lose the nasal element;
vocabulary and syntax are heavily Anglicized.
Although intellectuals turn toward France for cultural inspiration, the pronunciation and
usage of standard French is sometimes derided by French Canadians; this may be because
their English compatriots are taught Parisian French at school. The French-speaking
population of Canada is growing relatively fast, and more than four-fifths of the population
of Quebec province uses French on a daily basis. The continuing activities of the separatist
movement provide evidence of the persistence of resentment among many French Canadians.
Letter signed by Eugène DelacroixLetter, signed by Eugène Delacroix, apologizing for a
period of silence during a bout of ill health, 1863; from a private collection.
French phonology is characterized by great changes in the sounds of words as compared
with their Latin parent forms as well as cognates in the other Romance languages. For example,
Latin secūrum ‘sure, secure’ became Spanish seguro but French sûr; Latin vōcem ‘voice’ became
Spanish voz but French voix, pronounced vwa.
French grammar
French grammar, like that of the other Romance languages, has been greatly simplified
from that of Latin. Nouns are not declined for case. Formerly, they were marked for plural by the
addition of -s or -es, but the ending, though retained in spelling, has generally been lost in
speech. Masculine and feminine gender are distinguished but are usually marked not in the noun
but rather in the accompanying article or adjective. Plural marking in spoken French is often
similarly distinguished. The verb in French is conjugated for three persons, singular and plural,
but again, although distinguished in spelling, several of these forms are pronounced identically.
French has verb forms for indicative, imperative, and subjunctive moods; preterite, imperfect,
present, future, and conditional, and a variety of perfect and progressive tenses; and passive and
reflexive constructions.
Linguistic change was more rapid and more drastic in northern France than it was in other
European Romance regions, and influence from Latin was comparatively slight (though
borrowing of Latin vocabulary has been great since the 14th century). The influence of the
Germanic Frankish invaders is often held to account for exotic features in Old French, such as
strong stress accent and abundant use of diphthongs and nasal vowels, but by the 15th century
the language had begun to change, and a sober (even monotonous) intonation and loss of a stress
accent became characteristic. The popularity of French as a first foreign language, in spite of
numerous pronunciation difficulties for nearly all foreign speakers, is perhaps as much the result
of the precise codification of its grammar, effectuated especially during the 18th century, as of
the brilliance of its literature at all periods.
Other dialects are grouped
Modern dialects are classified mainly on a geographic basis, and most survive only in rural
areas. Walloon, spoken mainly in Belgium, is something of an exception in that it has had a
flourishing dialect literature since approximately 1600. Other dialects are grouped as follows:
Central: Francien, Orléanais, Bourbonnais, Champenois
Northern: Picard, Northern Norman
Eastern: Lorrain, Bourguignon (Burgundian), Franc-Comtois
Western: Norman, Gallo (around the Celtic Breton area), Angevin, Manceau
Southwestern: Poitevin, Saintongeais, Angoumois
Canadian French
Outside France, the French of Canada, originally probably of northwestern dialect type,
has developed the most individual features. Although 18th-century Canadian French was
regarded as exceptionally “pure” by metropolitan commentators, it began to diverge from
Parisian French after 1760 as a consequence of its isolation from the metropolis and of the
ever-stronger influence of English. Canadian French is less clearly articulated, with less lip
movement and with a more monotonous intonation, than standard French; some change in
consonantal sounds occurs (/t/ and /d/ shift to /ts/ and /dz/, respectively, and both k and g
become palatalized [pronounced with the tongue touching the hard palate, or roof of the
mouth] when followed by the letters i or e); nasal vowels tend to lose the nasal element;
vocabulary and syntax are heavily Anglicized.
Although intellectuals turn toward France for cultural inspiration, the pronunciation and
usage of standard French is sometimes derided by French Canadians; this may be because
their English compatriots are taught Parisian French at school. The French-speaking
population of Canada is growing relatively fast, and more than four-fifths of the population
of Quebec province uses French on a daily basis. The continuing activities of the separatist
movement provide evidence of the persistence of resentment among many French Canadians.
Letter signed by Eugène DelacroixLetter, signed by Eugène Delacroix, apologizing for a
period of silence during a bout of ill health, 1863; from a private collection.
French phonology is characterized by great changes in the sounds of words as compared
with their Latin parent forms as well as cognates in the other Romance languages. For example,
Latin secūrum ‘sure, secure’ became Spanish seguro but French sûr; Latin vōcem ‘voice’ became
Spanish voz but French voix, pronounced vwa.
French grammar
French grammar, like that of the other Romance languages, has been greatly simplified
from that of Latin. Nouns are not declined for case. Formerly, they were marked for plural by the
addition of -s or -es, but the ending, though retained in spelling, has generally been lost in
speech. Masculine and feminine gender are distinguished but are usually marked not in the noun
but rather in the accompanying article or adjective. Plural marking in spoken French is often
similarly distinguished. The verb in French is conjugated for three persons, singular and plural,
but again, although distinguished in spelling, several of these forms are pronounced identically.
French has verb forms for indicative, imperative, and subjunctive moods; preterite, imperfect,
present, future, and conditional, and a variety of perfect and progressive tenses; and passive and
reflexive constructions.
Linguistic change was more rapid and more drastic in northern France than it was in other
European Romance regions, and influence from Latin was comparatively slight (though
borrowing of Latin vocabulary has been great since the 14th century). The influence of the
Germanic Frankish invaders is often held to account for exotic features in Old French, such as
strong stress accent and abundant use of diphthongs and nasal vowels, but by the 15th century
the language had begun to change, and a sober (even monotonous) intonation and loss of a stress
accent became characteristic. The popularity of French as a first foreign language, in spite of
numerous pronunciation difficulties for nearly all foreign speakers, is perhaps as much the result
of the precise codification of its grammar, effectuated especially during the 18th century, as of
the brilliance of its literature at all periods.
Other dialects are grouped
Modern dialects are classified mainly on a geographic basis, and most survive only in rural
areas. Walloon, spoken mainly in Belgium, is something of an exception in that it has had a
flourishing dialect literature since approximately 1600. Other dialects are grouped as follows:
Central: Francien, Orléanais, Bourbonnais, Champenois
Northern: Picard, Northern Norman
Eastern: Lorrain, Bourguignon (Burgundian), Franc-Comtois
Western: Norman, Gallo (around the Celtic Breton area), Angevin, Manceau
Southwestern: Poitevin, Saintongeais, Angoumois
Canadian French
Outside France, the French of Canada, originally probably of northwestern dialect type,
has developed the most individual features. Although 18th-century Canadian French was
regarded as exceptionally “pure” by metropolitan commentators, it began to diverge from
Parisian French after 1760 as a consequence of its isolation from the metropolis and of the
ever-stronger influence of English. Canadian French is less clearly articulated, with less lip
movement and with a more monotonous intonation, than standard French; some change in
consonantal sounds occurs (/t/ and /d/ shift to /ts/ and /dz/, respectively, and both k and g
become palatalized [pronounced with the tongue touching the hard palate, or roof of the
mouth] when followed by the letters i or e); nasal vowels tend to lose the nasal element;
vocabulary and syntax are heavily Anglicized.
Although intellectuals turn toward France for cultural inspiration, the pronunciation and
usage of standard French is sometimes derided by French Canadians; this may be because
their English compatriots are taught Parisian French at school. The French-speaking
population of Canada is growing relatively fast, and more than four-fifths of the population
of Quebec province uses French on a daily basis. The continuing activities of the separatist
movement provide evidence of the persistence of resentment among many French Canadians.
Letter signed by Eugène DelacroixLetter, signed by Eugène Delacroix, apologizing for a
period of silence during a bout of ill health, 1863; from a private collection.
French phonology is characterized by great changes in the sounds of words as compared
with their Latin parent forms as well as cognates in the other Romance languages. For example,
Latin secūrum ‘sure, secure’ became Spanish seguro but French sûr; Latin vōcem ‘voice’ became
Spanish voz but French voix, pronounced vwa.
French grammar
French grammar, like that of the other Romance languages, has been greatly simplified
from that of Latin. Nouns are not declined for case. Formerly, they were marked for plural by the
addition of -s or -es, but the ending, though retained in spelling, has generally been lost in
speech. Masculine and feminine gender are distinguished but are usually marked not in the noun
but rather in the accompanying article or adjective. Plural marking in spoken French is often
similarly distinguished. The verb in French is conjugated for three persons, singular and plural,
but again, although distinguished in spelling, several of these forms are pronounced identically.
French has verb forms for indicative, imperative, and subjunctive moods; preterite, imperfect,
present, future, and conditional, and a variety of perfect and progressive tenses; and passive and
reflexive constructions.
Linguistic change was more rapid and more drastic in northern France than it was in other
European Romance regions, and influence from Latin was comparatively slight (though
borrowing of Latin vocabulary has been great since the 14th century). The influence of the
Germanic Frankish invaders is often held to account for exotic features in Old French, such as
strong stress accent and abundant use of diphthongs and nasal vowels, but by the 15th century
the language had begun to change, and a sober (even monotonous) intonation and loss of a stress
accent became characteristic. The popularity of French as a first foreign language, in spite of
numerous pronunciation difficulties for nearly all foreign speakers, is perhaps as much the result
of the precise codification of its grammar, effectuated especially during the 18th century, as of
the brilliance of its literature at all periods.
Other dialects are grouped
Modern dialects are classified mainly on a geographic basis, and most survive only in rural
areas. Walloon, spoken mainly in Belgium, is something of an exception in that it has had a
flourishing dialect literature since approximately 1600. Other dialects are grouped as follows:
Central: Francien, Orléanais, Bourbonnais, Champenois
Northern: Picard, Northern Norman
Eastern: Lorrain, Bourguignon (Burgundian), Franc-Comtois
Western: Norman, Gallo (around the Celtic Breton area), Angevin, Manceau
Southwestern: Poitevin, Saintongeais, Angoumois
Canadian French
Outside France, the French of Canada, originally probably of northwestern dialect type,
has developed the most individual features. Although 18th-century Canadian French was
regarded as exceptionally “pure” by metropolitan commentators, it began to diverge from
Parisian French after 1760 as a consequence of its isolation from the metropolis and of the
ever-stronger influence of English. Canadian French is less clearly articulated, with less lip
movement and with a more monotonous intonation, than standard French; some change in
consonantal sounds occurs (/t/ and /d/ shift to /ts/ and /dz/, respectively, and both k and g
become palatalized [pronounced with the tongue touching the hard palate, or roof of the
mouth] when followed by the letters i or e); nasal vowels tend to lose the nasal element;
vocabulary and syntax are heavily Anglicized.
Although intellectuals turn toward France for cultural inspiration, the pronunciation and
usage of standard French is sometimes derided by French Canadians; this may be because
their English compatriots are taught Parisian French at school. The French-speaking
population of Canada is growing relatively fast, and more than four-fifths of the population
of Quebec province uses French on a daily basis. The continuing activities of the separatist
movement provide evidence of the persistence of resentment among many French Canadians.
Letter signed by Eugène DelacroixLetter, signed by Eugène Delacroix, apologizing for a
period of silence during a bout of ill health, 1863; from a private collection.
French phonology is characterized by great changes in the sounds of words as compared
with their Latin parent forms as well as cognates in the other Romance languages. For example,
Latin secūrum ‘sure, secure’ became Spanish seguro but French sûr; Latin vōcem ‘voice’ became
Spanish voz but French voix, pronounced vwa.
French grammar
French grammar, like that of the other Romance languages, has been greatly simplified
from that of Latin. Nouns are not declined for case. Formerly, they were marked for plural by the
addition of -s or -es, but the ending, though retained in spelling, has generally been lost in
speech. Masculine and feminine gender are distinguished but are usually marked not in the noun
but rather in the accompanying article or adjective. Plural marking in spoken French is often
similarly distinguished. The verb in French is conjugated for three persons, singular and plural,
but again, although distinguished in spelling, several of these forms are pronounced identically.
French has verb forms for indicative, imperative, and subjunctive moods; preterite, imperfect,
present, future, and conditional, and a variety of perfect and progressive tenses; and passive and
reflexive constructions.
Linguistic change was more rapid and more drastic in northern France than it was in other
European Romance regions, and influence from Latin was comparatively slight (though
borrowing of Latin vocabulary has been great since the 14th century). The influence of the
Germanic Frankish invaders is often held to account for exotic features in Old French, such as
strong stress accent and abundant use of diphthongs and nasal vowels, but by the 15th century
the language had begun to change, and a sober (even monotonous) intonation and loss of a stress
accent became characteristic. The popularity of French as a first foreign language, in spite of
numerous pronunciation difficulties for nearly all foreign speakers, is perhaps as much the result
of the precise codification of its grammar, effectuated especially during the 18th century, as of
the brilliance of its literature at all periods.
Other dialects are grouped
Modern dialects are classified mainly on a geographic basis, and most survive only in rural
areas. Walloon, spoken mainly in Belgium, is something of an exception in that it has had a
flourishing dialect literature since approximately 1600. Other dialects are grouped as follows:
Central: Francien, Orléanais, Bourbonnais, Champenois
Northern: Picard, Northern Norman
Eastern: Lorrain, Bourguignon (Burgundian), Franc-Comtois
Western: Norman, Gallo (around the Celtic Breton area), Angevin, Manceau
Southwestern: Poitevin, Saintongeais, Angoumois
Canadian French
Outside France, the French of Canada, originally probably of northwestern dialect type,
has developed the most individual features. Although 18th-century Canadian French was
regarded as exceptionally “pure” by metropolitan commentators, it began to diverge from
Parisian French after 1760 as a consequence of its isolation from the metropolis and of the
ever-stronger influence of English. Canadian French is less clearly articulated, with less lip
movement and with a more monotonous intonation, than standard French; some change in
consonantal sounds occurs (/t/ and /d/ shift to /ts/ and /dz/, respectively, and both k and g
become palatalized [pronounced with the tongue touching the hard palate, or roof of the
mouth] when followed by the letters i or e); nasal vowels tend to lose the nasal element;
vocabulary and syntax are heavily Anglicized.
Although intellectuals turn toward France for cultural inspiration, the pronunciation and
usage of standard French is sometimes derided by French Canadians; this may be because
their English compatriots are taught Parisian French at school. The French-speaking
population of Canada is growing relatively fast, and more than four-fifths of the population
of Quebec province uses French on a daily basis. The continuing activities of the separatist
movement provide evidence of the persistence of resentment among many French Canadians.
Letter signed by Eugène DelacroixLetter, signed by Eugène Delacroix, apologizing for a
period of silence during a bout of ill health, 1863; from a private collection.
French phonology is characterized by great changes in the sounds of words as compared
with their Latin parent forms as well as cognates in the other Romance languages. For example,
Latin secūrum ‘sure, secure’ became Spanish seguro but French sûr; Latin vōcem ‘voice’ became
Spanish voz but French voix, pronounced vwa.
French grammar
French grammar, like that of the other Romance languages, has been greatly simplified
from that of Latin. Nouns are not declined for case. Formerly, they were marked for plural by the
addition of -s or -es, but the ending, though retained in spelling, has generally been lost in
speech. Masculine and feminine gender are distinguished but are usually marked not in the noun
but rather in the accompanying article or adjective. Plural marking in spoken French is often
similarly distinguished. The verb in French is conjugated for three persons, singular and plural,
but again, although distinguished in spelling, several of these forms are pronounced identically.
French has verb forms for indicative, imperative, and subjunctive moods; preterite, imperfect,
present, future, and conditional, and a variety of perfect and progressive tenses; and passive and
reflexive constructions.
Linguistic change was more rapid and more drastic in northern France than it was in other
European Romance regions, and influence from Latin was comparatively slight (though
borrowing of Latin vocabulary has been great since the 14th century). The influence of the
Germanic Frankish invaders is often held to account for exotic features in Old French, such as
strong stress accent and abundant use of diphthongs and nasal vowels, but by the 15th century
the language had begun to change, and a sober (even monotonous) intonation and loss of a stress
accent became characteristic. The popularity of French as a first foreign language, in spite of
numerous pronunciation difficulties for nearly all foreign speakers, is perhaps as much the result
of the precise codification of its grammar, effectuated especially during the 18th century, as of
the brilliance of its literature at all periods.
Other dialects are grouped
Modern dialects are classified mainly on a geographic basis, and most survive only in rural
areas. Walloon, spoken mainly in Belgium, is something of an exception in that it has had a
flourishing dialect literature since approximately 1600. Other dialects are grouped as follows:
Central: Francien, Orléanais, Bourbonnais, Champenois
Northern: Picard, Northern Norman
Eastern: Lorrain, Bourguignon (Burgundian), Franc-Comtois
Western: Norman, Gallo (around the Celtic Breton area), Angevin, Manceau
Southwestern: Poitevin, Saintongeais, Angoumois
Canadian French
Outside France, the French of Canada, originally probably of northwestern dialect type,
has developed the most individual features. Although 18th-century Canadian French was
regarded as exceptionally “pure” by metropolitan commentators, it began to diverge from
Parisian French after 1760 as a consequence of its isolation from the metropolis and of the
ever-stronger influence of English. Canadian French is less clearly articulated, with less lip
movement and with a more monotonous intonation, than standard French; some change in
consonantal sounds occurs (/t/ and /d/ shift to /ts/ and /dz/, respectively, and both k and g
become palatalized [pronounced with the tongue touching the hard palate, or roof of the
mouth] when followed by the letters i or e); nasal vowels tend to lose the nasal element;
vocabulary and syntax are heavily Anglicized.
Although intellectuals turn toward France for cultural inspiration, the pronunciation and
usage of standard French is sometimes derided by French Canadians; this may be because
their English compatriots are taught Parisian French at school. The French-speaking
population of Canada is growing relatively fast, and more than four-fifths of the population
of Quebec province uses French on a daily basis. The continuing activities of the separatist
movement provide evidence of the persistence of resentment among many French Canadians.
Letter signed by Eugène DelacroixLetter, signed by Eugène Delacroix, apologizing for a
period of silence during a bout of ill health, 1863; from a private collection.
French phonology is characterized by great changes in the sounds of words as compared
with their Latin parent forms as well as cognates in the other Romance languages. For example,
Latin secūrum ‘sure, secure’ became Spanish seguro but French sûr; Latin vōcem ‘voice’ became
Spanish voz but French voix, pronounced vwa.
French grammar
French grammar, like that of the other Romance languages, has been greatly simplified
from that of Latin. Nouns are not declined for case. Formerly, they were marked for plural by the
addition of -s or -es, but the ending, though retained in spelling, has generally been lost in
speech. Masculine and feminine gender are distinguished but are usually marked not in the noun
but rather in the accompanying article or adjective. Plural marking in spoken French is often
similarly distinguished. The verb in French is conjugated for three persons, singular and plural,
but again, although distinguished in spelling, several of these forms are pronounced identically.
French has verb forms for indicative, imperative, and subjunctive moods; preterite, imperfect,
present, future, and conditional, and a variety of perfect and progressive tenses; and passive and
reflexive constructions.
Linguistic change was more rapid and more drastic in northern France than it was in other
European Romance regions, and influence from Latin was comparatively slight (though
borrowing of Latin vocabulary has been great since the 14th century). The influence of the
Germanic Frankish invaders is often held to account for exotic features in Old French, such as
strong stress accent and abundant use of diphthongs and nasal vowels, but by the 15th century
the language had begun to change, and a sober (even monotonous) intonation and loss of a stress
accent became characteristic. The popularity of French as a first foreign language, in spite of
numerous pronunciation difficulties for nearly all foreign speakers, is perhaps as much the result
of the precise codification of its grammar, effectuated especially during the 18th century, as of
the brilliance of its literature at all periods.
Other dialects are grouped
Modern dialects are classified mainly on a geographic basis, and most survive only in rural
areas. Walloon, spoken mainly in Belgium, is something of an exception in that it has had a
flourishing dialect literature since approximately 1600. Other dialects are grouped as follows:
Central: Francien, Orléanais, Bourbonnais, Champenois
Northern: Picard, Northern Norman
Eastern: Lorrain, Bourguignon (Burgundian), Franc-Comtois
Western: Norman, Gallo (around the Celtic Breton area), Angevin, Manceau
Southwestern: Poitevin, Saintongeais, Angoumois
Canadian French
Outside France, the French of Canada, originally probably of northwestern dialect type,
has developed the most individual features. Although 18th-century Canadian French was
regarded as exceptionally “pure” by metropolitan commentators, it began to diverge from
Parisian French after 1760 as a consequence of its isolation from the metropolis and of the
ever-stronger influence of English. Canadian French is less clearly articulated, with less lip
movement and with a more monotonous intonation, than standard French; some change in
consonantal sounds occurs (/t/ and /d/ shift to /ts/ and /dz/, respectively, and both k and g
become palatalized [pronounced with the tongue touching the hard palate, or roof of the
mouth] when followed by the letters i or e); nasal vowels tend to lose the nasal element;
vocabulary and syntax are heavily Anglicized.
Although intellectuals turn toward France for cultural inspiration, the pronunciation and
usage of standard French is sometimes derided by French Canadians; this may be because
their English compatriots are taught Parisian French at school. The French-speaking
population of Canada is growing relatively fast, and more than four-fifths of the population
of Quebec province uses French on a daily basis. The continuing activities of the separatist
movement provide evidence of the persistence of resentment among many French Canadians.
Letter signed by Eugène DelacroixLetter, signed by Eugène Delacroix, apologizing for a
period of silence during a bout of ill health, 1863; from a private collection.
French phonology is characterized by great changes in the sounds of words as compared
with their Latin parent forms as well as cognates in the other Romance languages. For example,
Latin secūrum ‘sure, secure’ became Spanish seguro but French sûr; Latin vōcem ‘voice’ became
Spanish voz but French voix, pronounced vwa.
French grammar
French grammar, like that of the other Romance languages, has been greatly simplified
from that of Latin. Nouns are not declined for case. Formerly, they were marked for plural by the
addition of -s or -es, but the ending, though retained in spelling, has generally been lost in
speech. Masculine and feminine gender are distinguished but are usually marked not in the noun
but rather in the accompanying article or adjective. Plural marking in spoken French is often
similarly distinguished. The verb in French is conjugated for three persons, singular and plural,
but again, although distinguished in spelling, several of these forms are pronounced identically.
French has verb forms for indicative, imperative, and subjunctive moods; preterite, imperfect,
present, future, and conditional, and a variety of perfect and progressive tenses; and passive and
reflexive constructions.
Linguistic change was more rapid and more drastic in northern France than it was in other
European Romance regions, and influence from Latin was comparatively slight (though
borrowing of Latin vocabulary has been great since the 14th century). The influence of the
Germanic Frankish invaders is often held to account for exotic features in Old French, such as
strong stress accent and abundant use of diphthongs and nasal vowels, but by the 15th century
the language had begun to change, and a sober (even monotonous) intonation and loss of a stress
accent became characteristic. The popularity of French as a first foreign language, in spite of
numerous pronunciation difficulties for nearly all foreign speakers, is perhaps as much the result
of the precise codification of its grammar, effectuated especially during the 18th century, as of
the brilliance of its literature at all periods.
Other dialects are grouped
Modern dialects are classified mainly on a geographic basis, and most survive only in rural
areas. Walloon, spoken mainly in Belgium, is something of an exception in that it has had a
flourishing dialect literature since approximately 1600. Other dialects are grouped as follows:
Central: Francien, Orléanais, Bourbonnais, Champenois
Northern: Picard, Northern Norman
Eastern: Lorrain, Bourguignon (Burgundian), Franc-Comtois
Western: Norman, Gallo (around the Celtic Breton area), Angevin, Manceau
Southwestern: Poitevin, Saintongeais, Angoumois
Canadian French
Outside France, the French of Canada, originally probably of northwestern dialect type,
has developed the most individual features. Although 18th-century Canadian French was
regarded as exceptionally “pure” by metropolitan commentators, it began to diverge from
Parisian French after 1760 as a consequence of its isolation from the metropolis and of the
ever-stronger influence of English. Canadian French is less clearly articulated, with less lip
movement and with a more monotonous intonation, than standard French; some change in
consonantal sounds occurs (/t/ and /d/ shift to /ts/ and /dz/, respectively, and both k and g
become palatalized [pronounced with the tongue touching the hard palate, or roof of the
mouth] when followed by the letters i or e); nasal vowels tend to lose the nasal element;
vocabulary and syntax are heavily Anglicized.
Although intellectuals turn toward France for cultural inspiration, the pronunciation and
usage of standard French is sometimes derided by French Canadians; this may be because
their English compatriots are taught Parisian French at school. The French-speaking
population of Canada is growing relatively fast, and more than four-fifths of the population
of Quebec province uses French on a daily basis. The continuing activities of the separatist
movement provide evidence of the persistence of resentment among many French Canadians.
Letter signed by Eugène DelacroixLetter, signed by Eugène Delacroix, apologizing for a
period of silence during a bout of ill health, 1863; from a private collection.
French phonology is characterized by great changes in the sounds of words as compared
with their Latin parent forms as well as cognates in the other Romance languages. For example,
Latin secūrum ‘sure, secure’ became Spanish seguro but French sûr; Latin vōcem ‘voice’ became
Spanish voz but French voix, pronounced vwa.
French grammar
French grammar, like that of the other Romance languages, has been greatly simplified
from that of Latin. Nouns are not declined for case. Formerly, they were marked for plural by the
addition of -s or -es, but the ending, though retained in spelling, has generally been lost in
speech. Masculine and feminine gender are distinguished but are usually marked not in the noun
but rather in the accompanying article or adjective. Plural marking in spoken French is often
similarly distinguished. The verb in French is conjugated for three persons, singular and plural,
but again, although distinguished in spelling, several of these forms are pronounced identically.
French has verb forms for indicative, imperative, and subjunctive moods; preterite, imperfect,
present, future, and conditional, and a variety of perfect and progressive tenses; and passive and
reflexive constructions.
Linguistic change was more rapid and more drastic in northern France than it was in other
European Romance regions, and influence from Latin was comparatively slight (though
borrowing of Latin vocabulary has been great since the 14th century). The influence of the
Germanic Frankish invaders is often held to account for exotic features in Old French, such as
strong stress accent and abundant use of diphthongs and nasal vowels, but by the 15th century
the language had begun to change, and a sober (even monotonous) intonation and loss of a stress
accent became characteristic. The popularity of French as a first foreign language, in spite of
numerous pronunciation difficulties for nearly all foreign speakers, is perhaps as much the result
of the precise codification of its grammar, effectuated especially during the 18th century, as of
the brilliance of its literature at all periods.
Other dialects are grouped
Modern dialects are classified mainly on a geographic basis, and most survive only in rural
areas. Walloon, spoken mainly in Belgium, is something of an exception in that it has had a
flourishing dialect literature since approximately 1600. Other dialects are grouped as follows:
Central: Francien, Orléanais, Bourbonnais, Champenois
Northern: Picard, Northern Norman
Eastern: Lorrain, Bourguignon (Burgundian), Franc-Comtois
Western: Norman, Gallo (around the Celtic Breton area), Angevin, Manceau
Southwestern: Poitevin, Saintongeais, Angoumois
Canadian French
Outside France, the French of Canada, originally probably of northwestern dialect type,
has developed the most individual features. Although 18th-century Canadian French was
regarded as exceptionally “pure” by metropolitan commentators, it began to diverge from
Parisian French after 1760 as a consequence of its isolation from the metropolis and of the
ever-stronger influence of English. Canadian French is less clearly articulated, with less lip
movement and with a more monotonous intonation, than standard French; some change in
consonantal sounds occurs (/t/ and /d/ shift to /ts/ and /dz/, respectively, and both k and g
become palatalized [pronounced with the tongue touching the hard palate, or roof of the
mouth] when followed by the letters i or e); nasal vowels tend to lose the nasal element;
vocabulary and syntax are heavily Anglicized.
Although intellectuals turn toward France for cultural inspiration, the pronunciation and
usage of standard French is sometimes derided by French Canadians; this may be because
their English compatriots are taught Parisian French at school. The French-speaking
population of Canada is growing relatively fast, and more than four-fifths of the population
of Quebec province uses French on a daily basis. The continuing activities of the separatist
movement provide evidence of the persistence of resentment among many French Canadians.
Letter signed by Eugène DelacroixLetter, signed by Eugène Delacroix, apologizing for a
period of silence during a bout of ill health, 1863; from a private collection.
French phonology is characterized by great changes in the sounds of words as compared
with their Latin parent forms as well as cognates in the other Romance languages. For example,
Latin secūrum ‘sure, secure’ became Spanish seguro but French sûr; Latin vōcem ‘voice’ became
Spanish voz but French voix, pronounced vwa.
French grammar
French grammar, like that of the other Romance languages, has been greatly simplified
from that of Latin. Nouns are not declined for case. Formerly, they were marked for plural by the
addition of -s or -es, but the ending, though retained in spelling, has generally been lost in
speech. Masculine and feminine gender are distinguished but are usually marked not in the noun
but rather in the accompanying article or adjective. Plural marking in spoken French is often
similarly distinguished. The verb in French is conjugated for three persons, singular and plural,
but again, although distinguished in spelling, several of these forms are pronounced identically.
French has verb forms for indicative, imperative, and subjunctive moods; preterite, imperfect,
present, future, and conditional, and a variety of perfect and progressive tenses; and passive and
reflexive constructions.
Linguistic change was more rapid and more drastic in northern France than it was in other
European Romance regions, and influence from Latin was comparatively slight (though
borrowing of Latin vocabulary has been great since the 14th century). The influence of the
Germanic Frankish invaders is often held to account for exotic features in Old French, such as
strong stress accent and abundant use of diphthongs and nasal vowels, but by the 15th century
the language had begun to change, and a sober (even monotonous) intonation and loss of a stress
accent became characteristic. The popularity of French as a first foreign language, in spite of
numerous pronunciation difficulties for nearly all foreign speakers, is perhaps as much the result
of the precise codification of its grammar, effectuated especially during the 18th century, as of
the brilliance of its literature at all periods.
Other dialects are grouped
Modern dialects are classified mainly on a geographic basis, and most survive only in rural
areas. Walloon, spoken mainly in Belgium, is something of an exception in that it has had a
flourishing dialect literature since approximately 1600. Other dialects are grouped as follows:
Central: Francien, Orléanais, Bourbonnais, Champenois
Northern: Picard, Northern Norman
Eastern: Lorrain, Bourguignon (Burgundian), Franc-Comtois
Western: Norman, Gallo (around the Celtic Breton area), Angevin, Manceau
Southwestern: Poitevin, Saintongeais, Angoumois
Canadian French
Outside France, the French of Canada, originally probably of northwestern dialect type,
has developed the most individual features. Although 18th-century Canadian French was
regarded as exceptionally “pure” by metropolitan commentators, it began to diverge from
Parisian French after 1760 as a consequence of its isolation from the metropolis and of the
ever-stronger influence of English. Canadian French is less clearly articulated, with less lip
movement and with a more monotonous intonation, than standard French; some change in
consonantal sounds occurs (/t/ and /d/ shift to /ts/ and /dz/, respectively, and both k and g
become palatalized [pronounced with the tongue touching the hard palate, or roof of the
mouth] when followed by the letters i or e); nasal vowels tend to lose the nasal element;
vocabulary and syntax are heavily Anglicized.
Although intellectuals turn toward France for cultural inspiration, the pronunciation and
usage of standard French is sometimes derided by French Canadians; this may be because
their English compatriots are taught Parisian French at school. The French-speaking
population of Canada is growing relatively fast, and more than four-fifths of the population
of Quebec province uses French on a daily basis. The continuing activities of the separatist
movement provide evidence of the persistence of resentment among many French Canadians.
Letter signed by Eugène DelacroixLetter, signed by Eugène Delacroix, apologizing for a
period of silence during a bout of ill health, 1863; from a private collection.
French phonology is characterized by great changes in the sounds of words as compared
with their Latin parent forms as well as cognates in the other Romance languages. For example,
Latin secūrum ‘sure, secure’ became Spanish seguro but French sûr; Latin vōcem ‘voice’ became
Spanish voz but French voix, pronounced vwa.
French grammar
French grammar, like that of the other Romance languages, has been greatly simplified
from that of Latin. Nouns are not declined for case. Formerly, they were marked for plural by the
addition of -s or -es, but the ending, though retained in spelling, has generally been lost in
speech. Masculine and feminine gender are distinguished but are usually marked not in the noun
but rather in the accompanying article or adjective. Plural marking in spoken French is often
similarly distinguished. The verb in French is conjugated for three persons, singular and plural,
but again, although distinguished in spelling, several of these forms are pronounced identically.
French has verb forms for indicative, imperative, and subjunctive moods; preterite, imperfect,
present, future, and conditional, and a variety of perfect and progressive tenses; and passive and
reflexive constructions.
Linguistic change was more rapid and more drastic in northern France than it was in other
European Romance regions, and influence from Latin was comparatively slight (though
borrowing of Latin vocabulary has been great since the 14th century). The influence of the
Germanic Frankish invaders is often held to account for exotic features in Old French, such as
strong stress accent and abundant use of diphthongs and nasal vowels, but by the 15th century
the language had begun to change, and a sober (even monotonous) intonation and loss of a stress
accent became characteristic. The popularity of French as a first foreign language, in spite of
numerous pronunciation difficulties for nearly all foreign speakers, is perhaps as much the result
of the precise codification of its grammar, effectuated especially during the 18th century, as of
the brilliance of its literature at all periods.
Other dialects are grouped
Modern dialects are classified mainly on a geographic basis, and most survive only in rural
areas. Walloon, spoken mainly in Belgium, is something of an exception in that it has had a
flourishing dialect literature since approximately 1600. Other dialects are grouped as follows:
Central: Francien, Orléanais, Bourbonnais, Champenois
Northern: Picard, Northern Norman
Eastern: Lorrain, Bourguignon (Burgundian), Franc-Comtois
Western: Norman, Gallo (around the Celtic Breton area), Angevin, Manceau
Southwestern: Poitevin, Saintongeais, Angoumois
Canadian French
Outside France, the French of Canada, originally probably of northwestern dialect type,
has developed the most individual features. Although 18th-century Canadian French was
regarded as exceptionally “pure” by metropolitan commentators, it began to diverge from
Parisian French after 1760 as a consequence of its isolation from the metropolis and of the
ever-stronger influence of English. Canadian French is less clearly articulated, with less lip
movement and with a more monotonous intonation, than standard French; some change in
consonantal sounds occurs (/t/ and /d/ shift to /ts/ and /dz/, respectively, and both k and g
become palatalized [pronounced with the tongue touching the hard palate, or roof of the
mouth] when followed by the letters i or e); nasal vowels tend to lose the nasal element;
vocabulary and syntax are heavily Anglicized.
Although intellectuals turn toward France for cultural inspiration, the pronunciation and
usage of standard French is sometimes derided by French Canadians; this may be because
their English compatriots are taught Parisian French at school. The French-speaking
population of Canada is growing relatively fast, and more than four-fifths of the population
of Quebec province uses French on a daily basis. The continuing activities of the separatist
movement provide evidence of the persistence of resentment among many French Canadians.
Letter signed by Eugène DelacroixLetter, signed by Eugène Delacroix, apologizing for a
period of silence during a bout of ill health, 1863; from a private collection.
French phonology is characterized by great changes in the sounds of words as compared
with their Latin parent forms as well as cognates in the other Romance languages. For example,
Latin secūrum ‘sure, secure’ became Spanish seguro but French sûr; Latin vōcem ‘voice’ became
Spanish voz but French voix, pronounced vwa.
French grammar
French grammar, like that of the other Romance languages, has been greatly simplified
from that of Latin. Nouns are not declined for case. Formerly, they were marked for plural by the
addition of -s or -es, but the ending, though retained in spelling, has generally been lost in
speech. Masculine and feminine gender are distinguished but are usually marked not in the noun
but rather in the accompanying article or adjective. Plural marking in spoken French is often
similarly distinguished. The verb in French is conjugated for three persons, singular and plural,
but again, although distinguished in spelling, several of these forms are pronounced identically.
French has verb forms for indicative, imperative, and subjunctive moods; preterite, imperfect,
present, future, and conditional, and a variety of perfect and progressive tenses; and passive and
reflexive constructions.
Linguistic change was more rapid and more drastic in northern France than it was in other
European Romance regions, and influence from Latin was comparatively slight (though
borrowing of Latin vocabulary has been great since the 14th century). The influence of the
Germanic Frankish invaders is often held to account for exotic features in Old French, such as
strong stress accent and abundant use of diphthongs and nasal vowels, but by the 15th century
the language had begun to change, and a sober (even monotonous) intonation and loss of a stress
accent became characteristic. The popularity of French as a first foreign language, in spite of
numerous pronunciation difficulties for nearly all foreign speakers, is perhaps as much the result
of the precise codification of its grammar, effectuated especially during the 18th century, as of
the brilliance of its literature at all periods.
Other dialects are grouped
Modern dialects are classified mainly on a geographic basis, and most survive only in rural
areas. Walloon, spoken mainly in Belgium, is something of an exception in that it has had a
flourishing dialect literature since approximately 1600. Other dialects are grouped as follows:
Central: Francien, Orléanais, Bourbonnais, Champenois
Northern: Picard, Northern Norman
Eastern: Lorrain, Bourguignon (Burgundian), Franc-Comtois
Western: Norman, Gallo (around the Celtic Breton area), Angevin, Manceau
Southwestern: Poitevin, Saintongeais, Angoumois
Canadian French
Outside France, the French of Canada, originally probably of northwestern dialect type,
has developed the most individual features. Although 18th-century Canadian French was
regarded as exceptionally “pure” by metropolitan commentators, it began to diverge from
Parisian French after 1760 as a consequence of its isolation from the metropolis and of the
ever-stronger influence of English. Canadian French is less clearly articulated, with less lip
movement and with a more monotonous intonation, than standard French; some change in
consonantal sounds occurs (/t/ and /d/ shift to /ts/ and /dz/, respectively, and both k and g
become palatalized [pronounced with the tongue touching the hard palate, or roof of the
mouth] when followed by the letters i or e); nasal vowels tend to lose the nasal element;
vocabulary and syntax are heavily Anglicized.
Although intellectuals turn toward France for cultural inspiration, the pronunciation and
usage of standard French is sometimes derided by French Canadians; this may be because
their English compatriots are taught Parisian French at school. The French-speaking
population of Canada is growing relatively fast, and more than four-fifths of the population
of Quebec province uses French on a daily basis. The continuing activities of the separatist
movement provide evidence of the persistence of resentment among many French Canadians.
Letter signed by Eugène DelacroixLetter, signed by Eugène Delacroix, apologizing for a
period of silence during a bout of ill health, 1863; from a private collection.
French phonology is characterized by great changes in the sounds of words as compared
with their Latin parent forms as well as cognates in the other Romance languages. For example,
Latin secūrum ‘sure, secure’ became Spanish seguro but French sûr; Latin vōcem ‘voice’ became
Spanish voz but French voix, pronounced vwa.
French grammar
French grammar, like that of the other Romance languages, has been greatly simplified
from that of Latin. Nouns are not declined for case. Formerly, they were marked for plural by the
addition of -s or -es, but the ending, though retained in spelling, has generally been lost in
speech. Masculine and feminine gender are distinguished but are usually marked not in the noun
but rather in the accompanying article or adjective. Plural marking in spoken French is often
similarly distinguished. The verb in French is conjugated for three persons, singular and plural,
but again, although distinguished in spelling, several of these forms are pronounced identically.
French has verb forms for indicative, imperative, and subjunctive moods; preterite, imperfect,
present, future, and conditional, and a variety of perfect and progressive tenses; and passive and
reflexive constructions.
Linguistic change was more rapid and more drastic in northern France than it was in other
European Romance regions, and influence from Latin was comparatively slight (though
borrowing of Latin vocabulary has been great since the 14th century). The influence of the
Germanic Frankish invaders is often held to account for exotic features in Old French, such as
strong stress accent and abundant use of diphthongs and nasal vowels, but by the 15th century
the language had begun to change, and a sober (even monotonous) intonation and loss of a stress
accent became characteristic. The popularity of French as a first foreign language, in spite of
numerous pronunciation difficulties for nearly all foreign speakers, is perhaps as much the result
of the precise codification of its grammar, effectuated especially during the 18th century, as of
the brilliance of its literature at all periods.
Other dialects are grouped
Modern dialects are classified mainly on a geographic basis, and most survive only in rural
areas. Walloon, spoken mainly in Belgium, is something of an exception in that it has had a
flourishing dialect literature since approximately 1600. Other dialects are grouped as follows:
Central: Francien, Orléanais, Bourbonnais, Champenois
Northern: Picard, Northern Norman
Eastern: Lorrain, Bourguignon (Burgundian), Franc-Comtois
Western: Norman, Gallo (around the Celtic Breton area), Angevin, Manceau
Southwestern: Poitevin, Saintongeais, Angoumois
Canadian French
Outside France, the French of Canada, originally probably of northwestern dialect type,
has developed the most individual features. Although 18th-century Canadian French was
regarded as exceptionally “pure” by metropolitan commentators, it began to diverge from
Parisian French after 1760 as a consequence of its isolation from the metropolis and of the
ever-stronger influence of English. Canadian French is less clearly articulated, with less lip
movement and with a more monotonous intonation, than standard French; some change in
consonantal sounds occurs (/t/ and /d/ shift to /ts/ and /dz/, respectively, and both k and g
become palatalized [pronounced with the tongue touching the hard palate, or roof of the
mouth] when followed by the letters i or e); nasal vowels tend to lose the nasal element;
vocabulary and syntax are heavily Anglicized.
Although intellectuals turn toward France for cultural inspiration, the pronunciation and
usage of standard French is sometimes derided by French Canadians; this may be because
their English compatriots are taught Parisian French at school. The French-speaking
population of Canada is growing relatively fast, and more than four-fifths of the population
of Quebec province uses French on a daily basis. The continuing activities of the separatist
movement provide evidence of the persistence of resentment among many French Canadians.
Letter signed by Eugène DelacroixLetter, signed by Eugène Delacroix, apologizing for a
period of silence during a bout of ill health, 1863; from a private collection.
French phonology is characterized by great changes in the sounds of words as compared
with their Latin parent forms as well as cognates in the other Romance languages. For example,
Latin secūrum ‘sure, secure’ became Spanish seguro but French sûr; Latin vōcem ‘voice’ became
Spanish voz but French voix, pronounced vwa.
French grammar
French grammar, like that of the other Romance languages, has been greatly simplified
from that of Latin. Nouns are not declined for case. Formerly, they were marked for plural by the
addition of -s or -es, but the ending, though retained in spelling, has generally been lost in
speech. Masculine and feminine gender are distinguished but are usually marked not in the noun
but rather in the accompanying article or adjective. Plural marking in spoken French is often
similarly distinguished. The verb in French is conjugated for three persons, singular and plural,
but again, although distinguished in spelling, several of these forms are pronounced identically.
French has verb forms for indicative, imperative, and subjunctive moods; preterite, imperfect,
present, future, and conditional, and a variety of perfect and progressive tenses; and passive and
reflexive constructions.
Linguistic change was more rapid and more drastic in northern France than it was in other
European Romance regions, and influence from Latin was comparatively slight (though
borrowing of Latin vocabulary has been great since the 14th century). The influence of the
Germanic Frankish invaders is often held to account for exotic features in Old French, such as
strong stress accent and abundant use of diphthongs and nasal vowels, but by the 15th century
the language had begun to change, and a sober (even monotonous) intonation and loss of a stress
accent became characteristic. The popularity of French as a first foreign language, in spite of
numerous pronunciation difficulties for nearly all foreign speakers, is perhaps as much the result
of the precise codification of its grammar, effectuated especially during the 18th century, as of
the brilliance of its literature at all periods.
Other dialects are grouped
Modern dialects are classified mainly on a geographic basis, and most survive only in rural
areas. Walloon, spoken mainly in Belgium, is something of an exception in that it has had a
flourishing dialect literature since approximately 1600. Other dialects are grouped as follows:
Central: Francien, Orléanais, Bourbonnais, Champenois
Northern: Picard, Northern Norman
Eastern: Lorrain, Bourguignon (Burgundian), Franc-Comtois
Western: Norman, Gallo (around the Celtic Breton area), Angevin, Manceau
Southwestern: Poitevin, Saintongeais, Angoumois
Canadian French
Outside France, the French of Canada, originally probably of northwestern dialect type,
has developed the most individual features. Although 18th-century Canadian French was
regarded as exceptionally “pure” by metropolitan commentators, it began to diverge from
Parisian French after 1760 as a consequence of its isolation from the metropolis and of the
ever-stronger influence of English. Canadian French is less clearly articulated, with less lip
movement and with a more monotonous intonation, than standard French; some change in
consonantal sounds occurs (/t/ and /d/ shift to /ts/ and /dz/, respectively, and both k and g
become palatalized [pronounced with the tongue touching the hard palate, or roof of the
mouth] when followed by the letters i or e); nasal vowels tend to lose the nasal element;
vocabulary and syntax are heavily Anglicized.
Although intellectuals turn toward France for cultural inspiration, the pronunciation and
usage of standard French is sometimes derided by French Canadians; this may be because
their English compatriots are taught Parisian French at school. The French-speaking
population of Canada is growing relatively fast, and more than four-fifths of the population
of Quebec province uses French on a daily basis. The continuing activities of the separatist
movement provide evidence of the persistence of resentment among many French Canadians.
Letter signed by Eugène DelacroixLetter, signed by Eugène Delacroix, apologizing for a
period of silence during a bout of ill health, 1863; from a private collection.
French phonology is characterized by great changes in the sounds of words as compared
with their Latin parent forms as well as cognates in the other Romance languages. For example,
Latin secūrum ‘sure, secure’ became Spanish seguro but French sûr; Latin vōcem ‘voice’ became
Spanish voz but French voix, pronounced vwa.
French grammar
French grammar, like that of the other Romance languages, has been greatly simplified
from that of Latin. Nouns are not declined for case. Formerly, they were marked for plural by the
addition of -s or -es, but the ending, though retained in spelling, has generally been lost in
speech. Masculine and feminine gender are distinguished but are usually marked not in the noun
but rather in the accompanying article or adjective. Plural marking in spoken French is often
similarly distinguished. The verb in French is conjugated for three persons, singular and plural,
but again, although distinguished in spelling, several of these forms are pronounced identically.
French has verb forms for indicative, imperative, and subjunctive moods; preterite, imperfect,
present, future, and conditional, and a variety of perfect and progressive tenses; and passive and
reflexive constructions.
Linguistic change was more rapid and more drastic in northern France than it was in other
European Romance regions, and influence from Latin was comparatively slight (though
borrowing of Latin vocabulary has been great since the 14th century). The influence of the
Germanic Frankish invaders is often held to account for exotic features in Old French, such as
strong stress accent and abundant use of diphthongs and nasal vowels, but by the 15th century
the language had begun to change, and a sober (even monotonous) intonation and loss of a stress
accent became characteristic. The popularity of French as a first foreign language, in spite of
numerous pronunciation difficulties for nearly all foreign speakers, is perhaps as much the result
of the precise codification of its grammar, effectuated especially during the 18th century, as of
the brilliance of its literature at all periods.
Other dialects are grouped
Modern dialects are classified mainly on a geographic basis, and most survive only in rural
areas. Walloon, spoken mainly in Belgium, is something of an exception in that it has had a
flourishing dialect literature since approximately 1600. Other dialects are grouped as follows:
Central: Francien, Orléanais, Bourbonnais, Champenois
Northern: Picard, Northern Norman
Eastern: Lorrain, Bourguignon (Burgundian), Franc-Comtois
Western: Norman, Gallo (around the Celtic Breton area), Angevin, Manceau
Southwestern: Poitevin, Saintongeais, Angoumois
Canadian French
Outside France, the French of Canada, originally probably of northwestern dialect type,
has developed the most individual features. Although 18th-century Canadian French was
regarded as exceptionally “pure” by metropolitan commentators, it began to diverge from
Parisian French after 1760 as a consequence of its isolation from the metropolis and of the
ever-stronger influence of English. Canadian French is less clearly articulated, with less lip
movement and with a more monotonous intonation, than standard French; some change in
consonantal sounds occurs (/t/ and /d/ shift to /ts/ and /dz/, respectively, and both k and g
become palatalized [pronounced with the tongue touching the hard palate, or roof of the
mouth] when followed by the letters i or e); nasal vowels tend to lose the nasal element;
vocabulary and syntax are heavily Anglicized.
Although intellectuals turn toward France for cultural inspiration, the pronunciation and
usage of standard French is sometimes derided by French Canadians; this may be because
their English compatriots are taught Parisian French at school. The French-speaking
population of Canada is growing relatively fast, and more than four-fifths of the population
of Quebec province uses French on a daily basis. The continuing activities of the separatist
movement provide evidence of the persistence of resentment among many French Canadians.
Letter signed by Eugène DelacroixLetter, signed by Eugène Delacroix, apologizing for a
period of silence during a bout of ill health, 1863; from a private collection.
French phonology is characterized by great changes in the sounds of words as compared
with their Latin parent forms as well as cognates in the other Romance languages. For example,
Latin secūrum ‘sure, secure’ became Spanish seguro but French sûr; Latin vōcem ‘voice’ became
Spanish voz but French voix, pronounced vwa.
French grammar
French grammar, like that of the other Romance languages, has been greatly simplified
from that of Latin. Nouns are not declined for case. Formerly, they were marked for plural by the
addition of -s or -es, but the ending, though retained in spelling, has generally been lost in
speech. Masculine and feminine gender are distinguished but are usually marked not in the noun
but rather in the accompanying article or adjective. Plural marking in spoken French is often
similarly distinguished. The verb in French is conjugated for three persons, singular and plural,
but again, although distinguished in spelling, several of these forms are pronounced identically.
French has verb forms for indicative, imperative, and subjunctive moods; preterite, imperfect,
present, future, and conditional, and a variety of perfect and progressive tenses; and passive and
reflexive constructions.
Linguistic change was more rapid and more drastic in northern France than it was in other
European Romance regions, and influence from Latin was comparatively slight (though
borrowing of Latin vocabulary has been great since the 14th century). The influence of the
Germanic Frankish invaders is often held to account for exotic features in Old French, such as
strong stress accent and abundant use of diphthongs and nasal vowels, but by the 15th century
the language had begun to change, and a sober (even monotonous) intonation and loss of a stress
accent became characteristic. The popularity of French as a first foreign language, in spite of
numerous pronunciation difficulties for nearly all foreign speakers, is perhaps as much the result
of the precise codification of its grammar, effectuated especially during the 18th century, as of
the brilliance of its literature at all periods.
Other dialects are grouped
Modern dialects are classified mainly on a geographic basis, and most survive only in rural
areas. Walloon, spoken mainly in Belgium, is something of an exception in that it has had a
flourishing dialect literature since approximately 1600. Other dialects are grouped as follows:
Central: Francien, Orléanais, Bourbonnais, Champenois
Northern: Picard, Northern Norman
Eastern: Lorrain, Bourguignon (Burgundian), Franc-Comtois
Western: Norman, Gallo (around the Celtic Breton area), Angevin, Manceau
Southwestern: Poitevin, Saintongeais, Angoumois
Canadian French
Outside France, the French of Canada, originally probably of northwestern dialect type,
has developed the most individual features. Although 18th-century Canadian French was
regarded as exceptionally “pure” by metropolitan commentators, it began to diverge from
Parisian French after 1760 as a consequence of its isolation from the metropolis and of the
ever-stronger influence of English. Canadian French is less clearly articulated, with less lip
movement and with a more monotonous intonation, than standard French; some change in
consonantal sounds occurs (/t/ and /d/ shift to /ts/ and /dz/, respectively, and both k and g
become palatalized [pronounced with the tongue touching the hard palate, or roof of the
mouth] when followed by the letters i or e); nasal vowels tend to lose the nasal element;
vocabulary and syntax are heavily Anglicized.
Although intellectuals turn toward France for cultural inspiration, the pronunciation and
usage of standard French is sometimes derided by French Canadians; this may be because
their English compatriots are taught Parisian French at school. The French-speaking
population of Canada is growing relatively fast, and more than four-fifths of the population
of Quebec province uses French on a daily basis. The continuing activities of the separatist
movement provide evidence of the persistence of resentment among many French Canadians.
Letter signed by Eugène DelacroixLetter, signed by Eugène Delacroix, apologizing for a
period of silence during a bout of ill health, 1863; from a private collection.
French phonology is characterized by great changes in the sounds of words as compared
with their Latin parent forms as well as cognates in the other Romance languages. For example,
Latin secūrum ‘sure, secure’ became Spanish seguro but French sûr; Latin vōcem ‘voice’ became
Spanish voz but French voix, pronounced vwa.
French grammar
French grammar, like that of the other Romance languages, has been greatly simplified
from that of Latin. Nouns are not declined for case. Formerly, they were marked for plural by the
addition of -s or -es, but the ending, though retained in spelling, has generally been lost in
speech. Masculine and feminine gender are distinguished but are usually marked not in the noun
but rather in the accompanying article or adjective. Plural marking in spoken French is often
similarly distinguished. The verb in French is conjugated for three persons, singular and plural,
but again, although distinguished in spelling, several of these forms are pronounced identically.
French has verb forms for indicative, imperative, and subjunctive moods; preterite, imperfect,
present, future, and conditional, and a variety of perfect and progressive tenses; and passive and
reflexive constructions.
Linguistic change was more rapid and more drastic in northern France than it was in other
European Romance regions, and influence from Latin was comparatively slight (though
borrowing of Latin vocabulary has been great since the 14th century). The influence of the
Germanic Frankish invaders is often held to account for exotic features in Old French, such as
strong stress accent and abundant use of diphthongs and nasal vowels, but by the 15th century
the language had begun to change, and a sober (even monotonous) intonation and loss of a stress
accent became characteristic. The popularity of French as a first foreign language, in spite of
numerous pronunciation difficulties for nearly all foreign speakers, is perhaps as much the result
of the precise codification of its grammar, effectuated especially during the 18th century, as of
the brilliance of its literature at all periods.
Other dialects are grouped
Modern dialects are classified mainly on a geographic basis, and most survive only in rural
areas. Walloon, spoken mainly in Belgium, is something of an exception in that it has had a
flourishing dialect literature since approximately 1600. Other dialects are grouped as follows:
Central: Francien, Orléanais, Bourbonnais, Champenois
Northern: Picard, Northern Norman
Eastern: Lorrain, Bourguignon (Burgundian), Franc-Comtois
Western: Norman, Gallo (around the Celtic Breton area), Angevin, Manceau
Southwestern: Poitevin, Saintongeais, Angoumois
Canadian French
Outside France, the French of Canada, originally probably of northwestern dialect type,
has developed the most individual features. Although 18th-century Canadian French was
regarded as exceptionally “pure” by metropolitan commentators, it began to diverge from
Parisian French after 1760 as a consequence of its isolation from the metropolis and of the
ever-stronger influence of English. Canadian French is less clearly articulated, with less lip
movement and with a more monotonous intonation, than standard French; some change in
consonantal sounds occurs (/t/ and /d/ shift to /ts/ and /dz/, respectively, and both k and g
become palatalized [pronounced with the tongue touching the hard palate, or roof of the
mouth] when followed by the letters i or e); nasal vowels tend to lose the nasal element;
vocabulary and syntax are heavily Anglicized.
Although intellectuals turn toward France for cultural inspiration, the pronunciation and
usage of standard French is sometimes derided by French Canadians; this may be because
their English compatriots are taught Parisian French at school. The French-speaking
population of Canada is growing relatively fast, and more than four-fifths of the population
of Quebec province uses French on a daily basis. The continuing activities of the separatist
movement provide evidence of the persistence of resentment among many French Canadians.
