ABSTRACT
Despite the marginalization of regional languages and dialects, these have had their own local influence on the standard language. The process whereby a dialect or regional language is superseded by 'standard French', or an approximation to it, involves a period of bilingualism during which both are used side by side. But there is rio hard and fast dividing line between standard and dialect. For instance, in the still-extant dialect of Gondecourt (in the Nord department), robli corresponds to standard French oublier, but an intermediate form oubli is also heard. Similarly: ti (dialect), toi (standard), toay (intermediate).
