This course provides an introductory description of the structure of
present-day French and a perspective on its historical development. We
will first consider the development of Latin into French and its sister
dialects.  We will then address the issue of linguistic diversity:  regional
dialects and French-based creoles. We will see how varieties of French and
French-based creoles differ in their sound systems, in their grammars, and
in their vocabularies.  We will especially consider social varieties, with
particular emphasis on the structure of colloquial and popular French.  Time
permitting, we will also consider the place of French in the world, and
French as a second language.