Linguistic Influences on French: A Historical Perspective on Germanic and English Borrowings

Abstract

This study explores the influence of Germanic and English linguistic borrowings on the French language through a diachronic analysis. Focusing on two key periods of linguistic contact – interactions with Germanic tribes during the Middle Ages and the growing influence of English starting in the 19th century – the article examines how these borrowings have shaped the French lexicon. Germanic borrowings, often fully assimilated, have left their mark on areas such as the military and daily life, while more recent English borrowings dominate the technological, economic, and cultural fields. The study shows that Germanic borrowings have largely been integrated both phonetically and morphologically, whereas English terms frequently retain their linguistic "foreignness." The article also offers a reflection on the impact of these influences on the linguistic identity of French and opens perspectives for future comparative research with other languages.