French

Once upon a time in the heart of Europe, a language was born that would eventually become a symbol of art, diplomacy, and romance. This is the story of , a tongue that evolved from the dust of the Roman Empire into one of the world's most influential voices. The Birth of a Language

By the 17th and 18th centuries, Paris had become a magnetic hub for the world's elite, who traveled there to "polish their manners" and master the language. French became the of international diplomacy, spoken in royal courts from Russia to England. Today, its reach extends far beyond Europe; it is a major world language spoken across Africa, North America, and Oceania. The Flavor of Culture french

: Short for Répondez s'il vous plaît ("Please respond"). Déjà-vu : Meaning "already seen". Once upon a time in the heart of

Long ago, the region we now know as France was home to the Gauls, who spoke Celtic languages. However, after the Romans conquered the area, —the everyday language of soldiers and settlers—took root. Over centuries, this Latin blended with local dialects and the Germanic influences of the invading Franks (who gave the country its name), slowly transforming into what we now recognize as Old French. A Global Ambassador French became the of international diplomacy, spoken in