French of France

French of France is the variety of French spoken in metropolitan France and its regions. It includes regional speech and the standardized form used in education, administration, and public life.

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French language: A Romance language descended from spoken Latin and used worldwide. French of France is one national variety within the wider French language.
French orthography: The conventions for writing French, including its spelling and use of accents. A common written system helps connect speakers whose pronunciation differs.
Gallo-Romance languages: The Romance languages and dialects that developed from Latin in northern Gaul. French emerged from this historical linguistic continuum.
Parisian French: The variety of French associated with Paris, influential in the formation of the national standard. It is a prominent reference point for pronunciation and usage in France.
Standard French: The codified form of French used in formal writing, education, and public institutions. Schools and public life in France rely on this shared standard.
French Academy: A French institution founded in 1635 to advise on the French language and publish a dictionary. Its prestige has shaped debates about correct and standard French.
Old French: The medieval stage of French spoken and written roughly from the ninth through fourteenth centuries. It is an earlier form from which modern French developed.
Southern French: A broad label for French varieties in southern France, often shaped by contact with regional languages. Its accents and some local usages contrast with northern norms.
French phonology: The sound system of French, including its contrasts, syllable patterns, and pronunciation rules. Regional accents differ partly through the realization of French sounds.
Language policy in France: Government measures and laws concerning the use and status of languages in France. State policy strengthened French as the language of public institutions.