Altfranzösisch

Altfranzösisch, also known as Old French, refers to the stage of the French language spoken from approximately the 9th century to the 14th century. It developed from Vulgar Latin, the spoken Latin of the Roman Empire, following the decline of Roman authority in Gaul. During this period, the linguistic landscape of what is now France was characterized by a diversity of Romance dialects.

The term "Altfranzösisch" is not a monolithic entity but rather an umbrella term encompassing various regional dialects. Prominent among these were the langue d'oïl in the north and the langue d'oc (Occitan) in the south. While both evolved from Vulgar Latin, they developed distinct phonetic and grammatical features. The langue d'oïl, particularly the dialect spoken around Paris, eventually gained prominence and formed the basis of modern standard French.

Key characteristics of Old French include a more complex case system inherited from Latin, though it was simplified over time. Phonetic changes were significant, leading to pronunciations that differ considerably from modern French. Literature from this period, such as the chansons de geste (epic poems) like the Song of Roland, provides valuable insights into the language. The transition from Old French to Middle French was gradual, marked by further standardization and linguistic evolution.