Linguistic Change in French

What is French and how has it changed over time? Can we distinguish language history from historical linguistics, and language change from linguistic change? These questions are explored using copious material from the history of the French language, concentrating on changes in the relatively modern period in particular. Posner explains how change comes about and how changes at different levels of language interact, and the role of sociological and ideological factors is set against the internal mechanisms that trigger change. This work makes a substantial contribution to the theory of linguistic change, as well as to discussion of the relationship between language and history in French-speaking areas, including Canada and French Creole-speaking countries.

Review:

a very interesting book in which the author shares the fruits of a long and distinguished career of research and reflection on the French language ... this is one of the most interesting and thought-provoking books on the linguistic history of French to have been published in recent years, a real tour de force. William J. Ashby, Journal of French Language Studies