| Latin was the language spoken in ancient Rome. | | | | Following is a very short list that compares the |
| During the ascendancy of the Roman Empire | | | | words of two languages and makes clear the |
| during the 3rd and the 4th centuries, Romans | | | | point mentioned above.absentia (absence, Latin) = |
| conquered most of Europe including France to | | | | absence (French).athleta (athelete, Latin) = athlete |
| which they gave the name Gaul. It is the same | | | | ( French)cera (wax, Latin) = cire ( French)corpus |
| word which is found in the name of Charles de | | | | (body, Latin) = corps (French)deus (god, Latin) = |
| Gaul (Charles of France). As the Latin became the | | | | dieu (French)fides ( faith, Latin)= foi ( French)liber ( |
| official language of Europe, it also became the | | | | book, Latin) = livre ( French)nova ( new, Latin) = |
| language of Religion, Science and Philosophy. It | | | | neuve ( French)mare (sea, Latin) = mer |
| became essential for a Frenchman to master | | | | (French)spiritus (spirit, Latin) = esprit ( |
| Latin if he wanted to proper in society. As the | | | | French)terra (land, Latin) = terre (French) |
| years passed by, Latin words were assimilated | | | | The short list given above is neither exhaustive |
| into French and contributed a lot towards the | | | | nor complete but it gives an idea to the reader |
| evolution of French language. Thousands of Latin | | | | about the influence which Latin has on French. |
| words were incorporated with the result that | | | | Hundreds of similar words can be searched and |
| today when we compare the words of the two | | | | compared and it can be an interesting hobby as |
| languages, we are astonished to observe the | | | | well as an enrichment to the vocabulary. |
| extent of Latin influence on French language. | | | | |