These lectures offer an alternative interpretation of the history of French, inspired by uniformitarian research into the genesis of Creole languages. Based on discoveries about the emergence of creole languages, I re-examine the gradual, multiple emergence of French from the contact of Vulgar Latin with its Celtic substratum, Gallic, and its Germanic adstrate, Frankish. The regional diversity of French suggests that Gallic itself was apparently diverse ; centuries later, competition between the various regional dialects of French, to the benefit of the Île-de-France variety, and between Neo-Latin and Celtic speakers led to the extinction of Gallic and explains the phenomenon of minority languages in France.
The history of French from its origins to its spread throughout the French colonial empire and the rest of the world is one of language contact, reflecting the influence of other languages on its structures. As far as its vitality is concerned, it is threatened above all by English, or endangers other languages if it doesn't replace them. On the other hand, its presence as a " shared language " in the Francophonie universe invites us to reflect on its status outside the French-speaking territories of Europe and North America, as well as its position in relation to what the OIF calls " partner languages " .