MACINTOSH

This project’s aim is to lift barriers by replacing the ‘tunnel vision’ that conventionally characterizes ‘Classical French’ studies by a broader approach, building on an extraordinarily valuable source, i.e. the recently rediscovered collection of about 50,000 French undelivered private letters, which were confiscated in the course of the frequent wars between France and England during a period comprised between 1652 and 1815. This outstandingly vast collection, currently held by the National Archives of the United Kingdom in London, is remnant of times of privateering, a longstanding legitimate activity of conquering enemy ships. Commonly referred to as the ‘Prize papers’, these documents are familiar to historians, but have been mainly disregarded by linguists. This project aims to show how the alternative data provided by these letters can broaden the scope by filling the gaps left by traditional historical linguistics, focusing on French’s greatest period of expansion and shedding new light on the dynamics and mechanisms that led to the existing French and creole varieties in America.