Exploring Modern English Words with French Origin (Part 1)
The Olympics are taking place in France this year. To get ready, let’s take a look at some words and phrases that English speakers have borrowed from the French. You might speak more French than you think!
How French words entered English
At its heart, English is one of the Germanic languages. From the middle of the fifth century, tribes from Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands began to settle in England. Their languages mixed together to become Old English, sometimes known as Anglo-Saxon. From about the year 800, Vikings from Scandinavia began to conquer and settle in parts of England. Their language, Old Norse, mixed with Old English and helped make its grammar simpler.
Then in 1066, an event happened that would change the English language forever. In that year, the Normans (led by William the Conqueror) crossed the sea from what is now France and successfully invaded England. When William became king, he took the lands of most Anglo-Saxon noblemen and granted them to his own supporters. This new nobility spoke Norman French.
To begin with, the common people carried on speaking English while the ruling class spoke French. But over time, lots of French words became part of the English language. The French influence on English continued during the Middle Ages, thanks to cultural and political connections with France.
Today, it’s estimated that about 30% of English words have a French or Norman French origin. This inspired Georges Clemenceau, a fluent English speaker who was Prime Minister of France in the early 20th century, to say:
“La langue anglaise n’existe pas; c’est du français mal prononcé. ”
(There’s no such thing as the English language; it’s just mispronounced French).
Clemenceau was joking. But he was certainly right that the language contains a lot of English words influenced by French. Read on to learn about some of them.
Common French-origin words in modern English
Norman French was the language of the king, his court, and his nobles from 1066 until the end of the 14th century. For this reason, Norman French had a very strong influence on English words used in law, warfare and religion.
All the English words with French origin below are still used today.
Legal words of French origin
After the Conquest, the language of law became Norman French. This put the native Anglo-Saxons at a disadvantage as they didn’t speak the language!
Here are some English words that come from the Normans. The letters MF below show you the modern French words for the same thing.
- Bailiff. From baillif, an officer who carried out certain decisions of a court.
(MF: huissier). - Defendant. From diffendaunt, or someone who defends a claim against them.
(MF: défendeur or accusé). - Inquest. From enqueste, a legal inquiry.
(MF: enqûete). - Judge. From juge, a person who is in charge of a court.
(MF: juge). - Jury. From jurée, meaning a group of people who deliver a verdict.
(MF: jury). - Plaintiff. From pleintif, someone who brings a case against another person.
(MF: plaignant). - Summons. From somonse, meaning a call to appear in court.
(MF: une assignation à comparaître). - Verdict. From verdit, a decision or judgment.
(MF: verdict).
Military words from Norman French
The Normans were great warriors, successfully taking over land from Ireland to Sicily. So it’s no surprise that lots of French military words entered the English Language.
- Army. From armee, a military force.
(MF: armée). - Assault. From assaut, a violent attack.
(MF: assaut). - Battle. From bataille, a military confrontation.
(MF: bataille). - Castle. From chastel, a fortress.
(MF: château). - Combat. From combat, a fight between people or armies.
(MF: combat). - Garrison. From garisun, troops based in a town or fortress.
(MF: garnison). - Soldier. From soudeier, someone who is paid to fight in an army.
(MF: soldat).
Religious words in English that come from French
After William the Conqueror invaded England, the Normans took over the running of the Church. Although the language of the Church was Latin, Norman French influenced many English words that are used to describe religious buildings, people, and practices.
- Abbey From abbaie, a type of monastery or convent.
(MF: abbaye). - Baptism From baptesme, a ritual that makes someone a member of the Church.
(MF: baptême). - Faith From fei, belief in God. (MF: foi).
- Friar From frere, a brother or a member of certain religious orders.
(MF: frère). - Parish From paroche, a local Church community.
(MF: paroisse). - Saint From seint, a holy person.
(MF: saint).
What’s great about Norman French words in English
While lots of Norman French words made their way into English, they didn’t always replace the Anglo-Saxon words. This is why English often has lots of words for the similar or same things.
For example, many words for animals have an Anglo-Saxon origin, such as cow, pig, deer and sheep. But while commoners raised the animals, the Anglo-Normans were more likely to eat them. So the words for the finished meat products are French in origin: beef, pork, venison and mutton.
There are many other words with similar meanings. In this list, the first word has an Anglo-Saxon origin, while the second one comes from Norman French.
- Answer / Reply
- Blossom / Flower
- Brotherly / Fraternal
- Buy / Purchase
- Foe / Enemy
- Freedom / Liberty
- Handbook / Manual
- Kingly / Royal
- Midday / Noon
- Smell / Odour
- Weird / Strange
- Wed / Marry
Power up your English and improve your French at the same time!
As you’ve seen, the influence of French on today’s English is very strong. For many historical reasons, today’s language contains thousands of English words with French origin, which has made the language richer and more expressive.
When you enrol in our online English courses, you’ll soon learn lots of words that have come from French – and you might find they come in handy if you follow the Paris Olympics this summer!
Explore our English Online courses today and start telling your own legendary stories in English!
Want to learn more about English words with French origin?
This blog only scratches the surface of the fascinating influence of French on the English language!
In Part 2, continue your exploration of how French has shaped the English we speak today. Don’t miss it!
