* Early Beginnings: The origins of French are rooted in Vulgar Latin, the spoken language of the Roman Empire. This form of Latin began to diverge from Classical Latin in the 4th and 5th centuries AD.
* The Frankish Influence: After the fall of the Roman Empire, the Franks established control over much of what is now France. Their language, Frankish, blended with Vulgar Latin, laying the foundation for what would become French.
* Old French (8th-14th Centuries): This period saw the emergence of a distinct "Romance" language. Old French was heavily influenced by Germanic languages, but it was still recognizable as a descendant of Latin.
* Middle French (14th-16th Centuries): This era witnessed the transition from Old French to the language we know today. Significant changes occurred in pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary.
* Modern French (16th Century to Present): The French language continued to evolve, with standardized spelling and grammar solidifying over time.
Therefore, it's more accurate to say French began around the 8th century AD with the emergence of Old French, but its evolution has been ongoing ever since.