This volume provides an easy-to-read outline of the history, manifestations and sociolinguistic status of French outside France. The portraits of the individual varieties are preceded by three introductory chapters casting light on the implications of such terms as francophonie, français régional etc. The description of the varieties follows a groundplan covering the present state of the language, the history of the respective area where it is spoken, the state of linguistic description, and language status. Tasks facilitating further study and a representative selective bibliography arranged by geographical area round out the volume.