In the 17th and 18th centuries, German (Rhenish Franconian dialect) was the dominant language in Rahling, while Latin was used in ecclesiastical contexts and High German in formal contexts. French influences only became stronger from the late 18th century onward, particularly after the French Revolution and the administrative integration into the French state. The linguistic situation in Rahling in the 17th and 18th centuries can be substantiated by various historical, ecclesiastical, and linguistic sources.
== Linguistic Situation in Rahling in the 17th and 18th Centuries ==
Rahling, now located in the Grand Est region of France, was predominantly German-speaking in the 17th and 18th centuries. The region was part of the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation until the late 17th century and largely retained its German language and culture even after its annexation by France.
=== Sources and Evidence ===
Church Records of Rahling: Preserved in the Moselle Departmental Archives (Diocese of Metz), with predominantly Latin entries and German names.
Dialect Research: Ferdinand Wrede and Ernst Christmann documented Rahling's affiliation with the Rhenish Franconian dialect region.
Historical Maps: The "Carte Linguistique de l'Alsace et de la Lorraine" (1866) demonstrates the German linguistic character of the region.
Contemporary Reports: French officials in the 17th and 18th centuries reported the dominance of the German language in rural areas.
