The Story of French

Nonfiction, Reference & Language, Language Arts, Linguistics, History, France
Cover of the book The Story of French by Jean-Benoit Nadeau, Julie Barlow, St. Martin's Press
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Author: Jean-Benoit Nadeau, Julie Barlow ISBN: 9781429932400
Publisher: St. Martin's Press Publication: January 8, 2008
Imprint: St. Martin's Press Language: English
Author: Jean-Benoit Nadeau, Julie Barlow
ISBN: 9781429932400
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Publication: January 8, 2008
Imprint: St. Martin's Press
Language: English

Why does everything sound better if it's said in French? That fascination is at the heart of The Story of French, the first history of one of the most beautiful languages in the world that was, at one time, the pre-eminent language of literature, science and diplomacy.

In a captivating narrative that spans the ages, from Charlemagne to Cirque du Soleil, Jean-Benoît Nadeau and Julie Barlow unravel the mysteries of a language that has maintained its global influence despite the rise of English. As in any good story, The Story of French has spectacular failures, unexpected successes and bears traces of some of history's greatest figures: the tenacity of William the Conqueror, the staunchness of Cardinal Richelieu, and the endurance of the Lewis and Clark expedition.

Through this colorful history, Nadeau and Barlow illustrate how French acquired its own peculiar culture, revealing how the culture of the language spread among francophones the world over and yet remains curiously centered in Paris. In fact, French is not only thriving—it still has a surprisingly strong influence on other languages.

As lively as it is fascinating, The Story of French challenges long held assumptions about French and shows why it is still the world's other global language.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Why does everything sound better if it's said in French? That fascination is at the heart of The Story of French, the first history of one of the most beautiful languages in the world that was, at one time, the pre-eminent language of literature, science and diplomacy.

In a captivating narrative that spans the ages, from Charlemagne to Cirque du Soleil, Jean-Benoît Nadeau and Julie Barlow unravel the mysteries of a language that has maintained its global influence despite the rise of English. As in any good story, The Story of French has spectacular failures, unexpected successes and bears traces of some of history's greatest figures: the tenacity of William the Conqueror, the staunchness of Cardinal Richelieu, and the endurance of the Lewis and Clark expedition.

Through this colorful history, Nadeau and Barlow illustrate how French acquired its own peculiar culture, revealing how the culture of the language spread among francophones the world over and yet remains curiously centered in Paris. In fact, French is not only thriving—it still has a surprisingly strong influence on other languages.

As lively as it is fascinating, The Story of French challenges long held assumptions about French and shows why it is still the world's other global language.

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