French+Language

**French Language and Literature **


The French language and literature has influenced many and is very important in development in our world. The French language originated from Latin and has developed through the years. In the Medieval times, when an educated person was hard to come by, many of the popular literary works of that time were written in languages that not many knew how to read. But when French became widespread and written works were being written in French, it allowed more people to be able to read literature. As French developed, many dialects were formed. The two most dominant were lange d' oil and lange d' orc. Lange d' oil, which originated from the area around and in Paris, came to be the most popular dialect. Eventually, it became what is now known as the French language.

French literature became dominant as more people began to speak, write, and read in French throughout the Medieval times. Many of the most important literary works have been written in French. One of the most popular and important genre was Chansons de Geste. It was usually written about a famous hero's deeds, and written during the Carolingian times (1000 - 1300). The poems took place from Italy to Scandinavia. They were usually written by trouv 'eres and were passed on on by minstrals. Chansons de Geste were the first works written in French and this allowed for more people to understand the writings. During the Medieval Times there were a great many of authors, such as Guillame de Machaut, Christne de Piza, Chrétian de Troves, and Marie de France. Marie de France was one of the greatest French writers of the Medieval times. Her works consist of 12 lais that are about adventure, courtly love, and aristocratic settings. Details about her life are not abundant, but a few are know, for example, it is known that she was a native of France and that she most likely lived in England, She knew Latin and French and wrote from about 1100's and 1200's. Marie de France has had some of the greatest influence on later writers then many others. The French language and literature has had some of the greatest influence on later cultures and literature then some of the other greatest languages that have been spoken.

Works Cited
 * “Chansons De Geste.” The Middle Ages: An Encyclopedia for Students. Ed. William Chester Jordon. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1996. 169. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 8 Mar. 2010.
 * “File:La Contenance de la Table1.jpg.” Wikimedia Commons. Wikimedia Foundation, 14 Dec. 06. Web. 1 Apr. 2010. .
 * “French Language and Literature.” The Middle Ages: An Encyclopedia for Students. Ed. William Chester Jordon. New York: Charles Scribner’s Son, 1996. 128-133. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 4 Mar. 2010.
 * “Marie de France.” The Middle Ages: An Encyclopedia for Students. Ed. William Chester Jordon. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1996. 120-121. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 8 Mar. 2010.