* Ancient Times: The earliest inhabitants of Corsica spoke languages related to Etruscan and Ligurian.
* Medieval Period: Corsican began to develop as a distinct Romance language, influenced by Latin brought by Roman colonization.
* Genoese Domination (13th-18th Centuries): Genoa's rule brought significant influence from Italian dialects, especially Genoese. This led to a substantial shift towards Italian-based languages.
* French Rule (1768-1961): While French became the language of administration and education, Corsican remained the primary language of everyday life for the majority of the population. This period saw a gradual increase in bilingualism, with some individuals becoming more fluent in French.
* 20th and 21st Centuries: With the rise of globalization and the spread of French media, French gained further prominence in Corsican society. However, Corsican language and culture continue to be actively preserved.
Therefore, it's more accurate to say that French gradually became more prevalent in Corsica over time rather than having a specific starting point. While French is now widely spoken, Corsican remains a vital part of the island's cultural identity.