1. French Angela Peterson

2. Language spread The authors explain that French is a Romance language descended from Latin and influenced by the Celtic and Germanic languages.

3. Language change Although the oldest French text (the Oaths of Strasbourg) is dated A.D. 842, Latin was France's official language until 1539 From the 17th to the 20th centuries, French was the preferred language for literature, the arts, science and business, and it was spoken in colonies from Africa to the Caribbean to North America. Then in the 20th century, decolonization, the aftermath of World Wars I and II, and efforts to promote English weakened the dominance of the French language, which today is at an all-time low in usage.

4. Standard vs. variant languages The francophones of France generally use Metropolitan French (spoken in Paris and considered standard) although some also use regional dialects or varieties such as Meridional French. In Europe outside of France there are Belgium French, Swiss French, and in Italy Aostan French. The two main dialects of French in Canada are Quebec French and Acadia French.

5. Official languages France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Monaco, Switzerland, Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Canada, Central, African, Republic, Chad, Comoros, Côte, d'Ivoire, Democratic, Republic, of, the, Congo, Djibouti, Equatorial and Guinea

6. Language and Territories French mainly resigns in Europe, Canada and Africa. They also speak a form of it in India and South East Asia. This is due to the colonization of the French.

7. Toponyms Several thousand place names in the United States have names of French origin, some a legacy of past French exploration and rule over much of the land and some in honor of French help during the American Revolution and the founding of the country. (ex. Baton Rouge, Detroit, New Orleans, Saint Louis, Boise, Des Moines, Juneau, Montgomery, Montpelier, Pierre, Richmond, Saint Paul) Liège (province), a province of Belgium Battle of Liège, the first battle of World War I Bishopric of Liège, a former state in the Low Countries University of Liège, a major public university Liège–Bastogne–Liège, a famous one-day road cycling race in Belgium Liège-Guillemins, the main train station of the city of Liège Liège Airport, the airport of the city of Liège

8. Geographic pattern it was spoken in colonies from Africa to the Caribbean to North America. Then in the 20th century, decolonization, the aftermath of World Wars I and II, and efforts to promote English weakened the dominance of the French language, which today is at an all-time low in usage.

9. Timeline The oldest French text (the Oaths of Strasbourg) is dated A.D. 842 What is now France by Julius Caesar (58-53 BC) French started to appear. Latin was France's official language until 1539, when King Francis I issued a law under which French superseded Latin in the court. From the 17th to the 20th centuries, French was the preferred language for literature, the arts, science and business. Then in the 20th century, decolonization, the aftermath of World Wars I and II, and efforts to promote English weakened the dominance of the French language, which today is at an all-time low in usage.

10. Isogloss

11. Results/Consequences It’s the main language used in over 28 countries. In France it is one of the only languages used. Today though, there is an all time low on French speakers.

12. Current events http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/france/ 11481249/France-fights-to-prove-its-cuisine-is-still-the- worlds-best.html http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/france/ 11481249/France-fights-to-prove-its-cuisine-is-still-the- worlds-best.html http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/defence/11475252 /British-D-Day-veteran-to-receive-highest-French- accolade.html http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/defence/11475252 /British-D-Day-veteran-to-receive-highest-French- accolade.html