which is traditionally placed in the Low Franconian sub-grouping and with which it was thought to have had a common, tribal origin.

In a modern linguistic context, the language of the early Franks is variously called "Old Frankish" or "Old Franconian" and refers to the language of the Franks prior to the advent of the High German consonant shift, which took place between 600 and 700 CE. After this consonant