Covers French literature from its beginnings to the present day with equal attention to all genres, historical periods and registers.

Provides a comprehensive introduction to the French language from the perspective of modern linguistics. Places French within its social and historical context.

Looking at language variation in French using linguistic data that has emerged in recent years from France, Belgium and Switzerland, and comparing it to other European countries, this comparative study sets out to track how language changes have followed social and attitudinal developments, giving it a particular sociolinguistic slant.