Langue d'oïl

Langue d'oïl refers to a group of historical Romance dialects spoken in northern France, which was distinct from the Langue d'oc spoken in the south. The term itself derives from the word "oïl," meaning "yes" in these dialects, contrasting with "oc" in the southern languages. Langue d'oïl is the ancestor of modern French and was influential in the development of the French language during the Middle Ages. This linguistic region includes various dialects, such as Norman and Picard, each reflecting the local culture and history before they gradually merged into standard French.