FRE1120 - French 1 - McGrey

From medieval Gaul to the Age of the Internet, the French language has kept in step with history, changing and growing with the times yet never losing its unique character. This program stops at various points along the timeline to spotlight important chapters in the story of the evolution of a vibrant linguistic mélange in locales as diverse as Europe, North America, and Africa. Many maps, representative texts from across the centuries, and newsreel clips help tell the tale. (French, 28 minutes)

This program travels from Lyon and its surrounding region to Belgium, Switzerland, Senegal, and Quebec to savor some of the various flavors of French that have flourished on the Continent and abroad. Native speakers sing the language’s praises and in doing so offer interesting insights into the cultures they represent—places where French must compete with other languages for prominence. (French, 27 minutes)

Filmed in some surprising locales—Madagascar and Mauritius, Cambodia and Japan, and Louisiana as well—this program looks at how French has been adopted and adapted in many corners of the world where it is not the official language. For these Francophones, speaking la belle langue française is a matter of tradition…and an affair of the heart. (French, 28 minutes)

A 10-video series with speakers from Quebec, Senegal, and Guadeloupe.