* Latin: The foundation of French was Vulgar Latin, the everyday language spoken by Roman soldiers and colonists in Gaul (modern France) starting in the 1st century BCE.
* Regional Languages: As the Roman Empire declined, Vulgar Latin evolved differently in various regions, leading to the development of distinct dialects.
* Frankish Influence: The Franks, Germanic tribes who conquered Gaul in the 5th century, contributed words and grammatical structures.
* Norman Conquest (1066): The Norman conquest of England, which involved French-speaking Normans, had a significant impact on the development of both English and French, introducing new vocabulary and grammatical features.
Key Milestones:
* 8th century: The *Oaths of Strasbourg*, considered the first written text in Old French.
* 12th century: The emergence of "Middle French," with a more standardized grammar and vocabulary.
* 16th century: The Renaissance saw a revival of interest in classical Latin, influencing French vocabulary and style.
* 17th century: The "classical" period of French literature, with writers like Molière and Racine establishing a more refined and formalized language.
Conclusion:
Rather than a single "birth date," French evolved gradually through centuries of interaction, adaptation, and influence from various sources. By the 17th century, French had established itself as a prestigious and standardized language with a rich literary tradition.