Sources and Updating of French Vocabulary

Abstract

Phonology, vocabulary and grammar are the three main elements of language, and compared with phonology and grammar, vocabulary is the most rapidly changing part of language, in which social development, scientific and technological progress, and changes in human thoughts and customs are all reflected. This paper summarizes the origin and composition of French vocabulary and introduces the updating situation and problems in vocabulary of contemporary French, analyzes and generalizes the cause and effect of these changes and their laws, aiming at helping learners to understand the development of French vocabulary in a more profound way and the course of its development, and then make clear the significance of grasping the new features of French vocabulary.