Where did people start speaking french?

The origins of the French language can be traced back to the Latin spoken by Roman soldiers and settlers in Gaul (modern-day France) starting in the 1st century BC. Over time, Vulgar Latin, the everyday language of the common people, evolved and diverged from Classical Latin, eventually giving rise to various Romance languages, including French.

Here's a breakdown of the key stages:

* 1st century BC - 5th century AD: Romanization of Gaul, spreading Latin as the dominant language.

* 5th - 9th centuries: Vulgar Latin continues to evolve, influenced by Germanic languages (Frankish) and local Celtic languages.

* 9th - 12th centuries: Old French emerges as a distinct language, with strong Germanic influences and a shift towards a more analytical grammatical system.

* 12th - 16th centuries: Middle French develops, with a more standardized spelling and grammar, influenced by the rise of literature and royal courts.

* 16th century - present: Modern French emerges, with further standardization of spelling, grammar, and vocabulary, becoming the official language of France and many other countries.

Therefore, while the roots of French lie in the Latin spoken in Gaul, the language as we know it today developed and evolved over centuries, with influences from various other languages and cultures.