This history of the French language allows the readers to see how the language has evolved, combining texts and extracts with a readable and detailed commentary that allows the language to be viewed both synchronically and diachronically. Core texts range from the ninth century to the present day highlight central features of the language. The inclusion of non-literary as well as literary texts serves to illustrate some of the many varieties of French in legal, scientific, epistolatory, administrative or liturgical and more popular domains, including attempts to represent spoken usage. This is essential reading for the undergraduate student of French.