Pronouncing French Drinks and Fish368

French cuisine is renowned worldwide for its exquisite flavors and sophisticated presentation. From the rich reds of Bordeaux wine to the delicate sweetness of macarons, French food and drink embody a culinary tradition that has been refined over centuries. However, for non-native speakers, pronouncing French menu items can be a daunting task. Here's a guide to help you navigate the pronunciation of some common French drinks and fish dishes, with an emphasis on the specific sounds that can be challenging for English speakers.

Vowels
A: In French, the letter "a" can have several different pronunciations depending on the region and the word it appears in. Generally, it is pronounced as "ah" or "aw." For example, "baguette" is pronounced "bah-GETT" and "escargot" is pronounced "es-car-GOH."
E: The letter "e" is typically pronounced as "eh" or "ay." For example, "café" is pronounced "cah-FAY" and "croissant" is pronounced "cruh-SAWN."
I: The letter "i" is usually pronounced as "ee." For example, "vin" is pronounced "vee" and "frites" is pronounced "free-tuh."
O: The letter "o" can be pronounced as either "oh" or "aw." For example, "Bordeaux" is pronounced "BOHR-doh" and "fondue" is pronounced "fawn-DUE."
U: The letter "u" is typically pronounced as "oo." For example, "crêpe" is pronounced "CREP" and "moules-frites" is pronounced "MOOL-fruh."

Consonants
C: The letter "c" is generally pronounced as "s" before the vowels "e," "i," and "y." For example, "choucroute" is pronounced "SHOO-crooot" and "crème brûlée" is pronounced "CREHM broo-LAY."
G: The letter "g" is pronounced as a soft "j" before the vowels "e," "i," and "y." For example, "gougère" is pronounced "goo-JAIR" and "gratin" is pronounced "grah-TAHN."
H: The letter "h" is silent in French. For example, "escargot" is pronounced "es-car-GOH" and "hors d'oeuvres" is pronounced "or-DUV."
L: The letter "l" is pronounced as a clear "l" in French, unlike in English where it is often pronounced as a "w" sound. For example, "moules" is pronounced "MOOL" and "bœuf bourguignon" is pronounced "BUF bur-guh-NYOHN."
R: The letter "r" is pronounced as a guttural "r" in French. It is produced by vibrating the back of the tongue against the soft palate. For example, "rouge" is pronounced "ROOZH" and "ratatouille" is pronounced "ra-ta-TOO-ee."

Common French Drinks and Fish

Now that you have a better understanding of French pronunciation, let's take a look at some common French drinks and fish dishes and how to pronounce them correctly:
Drinks:

Bordeaux: BOHR-doh
Champagne: SHAHM-pahn-YUH
Cognac: KO-nyak
Café au lait: CAH-fay oh lay
Eau de vie: OH duh vee

Fish:

Bouillabaisse: BOO-ya-bes
Coquilles Saint-Jacques: KO-kee SAN ZHAH-k
Dover sole: DOH-ver SOLE
Escargot: es-car-GOH
Moules-frites: MOOL-fruh