Here's a breakdown:
* Latin: The official language of the Roman Empire.
* Vulgar Latin: A less formal and more spoken version of Latin that evolved from various dialects and influences within the empire.
* Old French: This language emerged from Vulgar Latin in the region of what is now France, starting around the 9th century.
* Middle French: A further evolution of Old French, developing from the 14th to the 16th centuries.
* Modern French: The language we know today, with its standardized grammar and vocabulary, has evolved from Middle French.
It's important to note that the evolution of French (and other Romance languages) was a complex process influenced by various factors, including:
* Geographic differences: Different regions of the Roman Empire developed different dialects of Vulgar Latin.
* Contact with other languages: The Germanic tribes who conquered parts of the Roman Empire brought their own languages, which influenced the development of Vulgar Latin and, later, Old French.
* Social changes: The rise of the Frankish kingdom and later the French monarchy also contributed to the evolution of the language.
So, while French ultimately originated from Latin, its development involved a blend of influences and a long journey of change over centuries.