Table of Contents

Preface; Preface to the second edition; Abbreviations and phonetic symbols From Vulgar Latin to the recognition of the new vernacular The language of the earliest French texts Old French: language or dialect? Middle French developments Progress and prestige in the sixteenth century Codification and standardisation: Classical and Neo-Classical French From the Revolution to the present day The defence of French Appendix: the distribution of the French language in the world today; Suggestions for further reading; Index

Reviews

`Should be compulsory reading for any serious practitioner of French, either amateur or professional. Not merely will many things become clear for the first time but it will be a very enjoyable experience.' - Times Educational Supplement

`Lucid, scholarly and unpedantic ... a remarkable work of synthesis.' - Modern Language Review