* Proto-Romance Origins: Around the 5th century AD, after the Roman Empire collapsed, Latin spoken in Gaul (what is now France) started evolving into different dialects, forming the basis of what would become French. This marks a very early stage of French development.
* Old French: By the 9th century, a distinct language, called Old French, had emerged. This was heavily influenced by Germanic languages spoken by the Franks, who had conquered the region.
* Middle French: This period (14th-16th centuries) saw French become more standardized, influenced by the writings of famous authors like François Villon and François Rabelais.
* Modern French: While the language continues to evolve, the 17th century marked a significant point in French development with the rise of the French Academy, which aimed to standardize the language and promote its use.
So, depending on what you consider the "start" of French, you could say it's:
* Over 1500 years old: Considering its Proto-Romance origins.
* Around 1200 years old: If you focus on the emergence of Old French.
It's important to remember that languages are constantly changing, and even today, French continues to evolve.