* Origins: French descends from Vulgar Latin, the language spoken by common people in the Roman Empire.
* Frankish Influence: After the fall of the Roman Empire, the Franks, a Germanic tribe, conquered Gaul (modern-day France). Their language, Frankish, influenced Latin, leading to the formation of a new language.
* Medieval Development: Over centuries, Old French emerged, a mixture of Latin and Frankish. This language was spoken throughout France, but with regional variations.
* Standardization: During the Renaissance, a standardized form of French, known as Modern French, emerged. This was heavily influenced by the language of the royal court and literature of the time.
So, instead of a single inventor, think of it as a gradual process of language change, influenced by historical events, migrations, and cultural interactions.