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Germanic, Celtic and Latin influence in France
Hey y'all!
France being at the crossroads of Europe, its culture and heritage is a mix of most Western original ethnic groups (from Scandinavia to Greece)
I decided to "break" the country down into categories to see which influence is dominant.
Those are only based on my personal observations, French culture differs greatly from north to south and east to west so some assumptions might work better for some areas than others.
I°) Language
Mostly Latin with strong Germanic input and noticeable Celtic
French is a romance language, everybody knows that and the sound of it couldn't say otherwise: it has a lot more vowel sounds than its germanic cousins.
Yet French is the most germanic romance language. Most traditional first names are derived from Germanic and many parts of the French vocabulary is of Germanic origin (especially related to weaponry and architecture)
Most French provinces were named after the original celtic tribes which inhabitated them, whose names ultimately derived from ancient deities.
Almost every French river can root its name to an old Celtic Deity.
II°) Food and drinks
Mostly Latin with strong Germanic and Celtic input
France is mostly famous for its wines and beautiful mediterranean areas where the climate is sweet and the landscapes gorgeous. But one should not forget about Northern France which is very fond of potatoes and produces more ale than it produces wine. Regional dishes are also strongly germanic influenced compared to traditional French cooking. Many French dishes are based with pork, potatoes and cabbage and north-eastern pastries are very german like.
You can really draw a little between olive oil and butter france.
III°) Administration
Overwhelmingly Latin
Yes, French administration is the worst pain in the butt. Overly procedurial, ridiculously complicated and typically hierarchal, it clearly lacks Germanic simplicity and concise approach.
IV°) Architecture
An obvious mix of all three
France is the country where you will have Renaissance influenced and Roman buildings in the middle of Medieval fortifications. The country is also a precious site for pre-historic research. Ancient Gaulish farms still exist in the countrysides.
V°) Agriculture
Mostly Celtic
That's why the Gauls were renowned for, their efficient and productive agriculture. If Romans brought paved roads to Gaul, they only paved the pre-existing way that had been made by the gauls with their extensive farming habits. Most French words related to agriculture, farming and nature have celtic origins.
VI°) Social Habits
Half Latin / Half Germanic
This one mostly varies on the region. French people are very latin in the sense that they do not follow rules in public and prefer to make their own. Their relationship to women is also chauvinist and paternizing.
On the other hand I find French people to be very Germanic on many other aspects. They tend to be colder and more private than their southern counterparts and their relationship to business is results oriented. Their aren't very tactile except for the bise and it isn't necessarily something affectionate. Also the French are very keen on separating their private from their public life.
Southern French people are much friendlier and warmer than northern and central ones a,d also tend to exaggerate things. They are usually referred to as being latin blooded compared to "common" French people.
VII°) Religion
Majorly Latin with noticeable Germanic
Yep. Protestants had a pretty bad rep on this side of the Rhine, but we almost got a Protestant king and some people still adhere to the reformed Church.
Celtic, Germanic and Norse gods have been long gone. No one remembers Epona :'(
VIII°) Arts
Latin and Germanic
Just coz we take the best of everything and make it our own.
Seriously though, Francis the 1st made Renaissance big throughout Europe and modern Germanic painters (notably German and Dutch) share a lot in common with French ones. Classical music was pretty big everywhere as well. Special mention to the Greeks for theater too.
Of course remnants of primitive Celtic art is to be found everywhere.
IX°) Ancestry
Mix of the three with knowledgeable Norse and Hellenic
Some of you know my passion for genealogy and so far I have only found celtic and germanic ancestors. Given my mother's ancestry I was able to go very far back for some branches and many names were heavily germanic: Burnon, Elvide, Adelheid, Eilika etc.
I am not denying Roman ancestry at all but the only roman ancestors I potentially have are based on presumptions deriving from old tales (some people pretend to be able to trace their ancestry to the end of the roman era and far beyond.) I find those claims doubtful as many medieval aristocrats gave mythical origins to their families. You can either follow oral tradition or base yourself on facts and legal documents and I much prefer the second option.
Yet, Romans conquered and settled in France for centuries, so it is safe to assume that most / if not every, ethnic French person has Roman ancestry. It might just be less diluted in some areas than others.
Our looks are a mix of everything, we have the best looking people of Europe. It's a fact and common knowledge, no need to argue with me.
X°) Tradition and Folklore
Deeply Celtic rooted
Most traditions, regional games and local saints have a very ancient and Celtic origin. The French identify first and foremost as Gauls (despite this being rightly disputed).
The French vigesimal way of counting is also inherited from them.
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Originally Posted by Valmont
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