What is the “Barbara French Pronunciation“?131

The "Barbara French Pronunciation" is a term used to describe a non-native accent of French that is characterized by a number of distinctive features. These features include:
The pronunciation of the letter "r" as a voiced uvular fricative, similar to the sound in Spanish or German.
The pronunciation of the letter "a" as a broad, open sound, similar to the sound in English "father".
The pronunciation of the letter "e" as a diphthong, similar to the sound in English "way".
The pronunciation of the letter "u" as a rounded vowel, similar to the sound in English "boot".
The pronunciation of the letter "i" as a high, front vowel, similar to the sound in English "beet".

The "Barbara French Pronunciation" is often associated with the French spoken in the United States, particularly in the 1950s and 1960s. It is named after Barbara Walters, a prominent American television journalist who spoke French with this distinctive accent. While the "Barbara French Pronunciation" is not considered to be a standard pronunciation of French, it is still widely recognized and understood.

There are a number of reasons why the "Barbara French Pronunciation" developed. One reason is that the French language was taught in American schools using a method that emphasized the pronunciation of individual letters rather than the pronunciation of words as a whole. This method of teaching led to a number of students developing a non-native accent that was characterized by the features described above.

Another reason for the development of the "Barbara French Pronunciation" is that it was influenced by the American English pronunciation of French words. For example, the American English pronunciation of the word "bonjour" is often pronounced with a voiced uvular fricative for the letter "r", similar to the pronunciation of the letter "r" in Spanish or German. This pronunciation was then adopted by many American students learning French, and it became a hallmark of the "Barbara French Pronunciation".

While the "Barbara French Pronunciation" is not considered to be a standard pronunciation of French, it is still widely recognized and understood. It is a reminder of the influence of American English on the French language, and it is a testament to the diversity of the French language around the world.

Here are some tips for avoiding the "Barbara French Pronunciation":
Pay attention to the pronunciation of native French speakers.
Listen to recordings of French people speaking.
Practice speaking French with a native speaker or a qualified French teacher.
Be aware of the differences between the French pronunciation of letters and the English pronunciation of letters.
Avoid using the American English pronunciation of French words.

By following these tips, you can improve your French pronunciation and avoid the "Barbara French Pronunciation".

2024-12-06

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