The 7 Sins of French Pronunciation13

French is a beautiful language, but it can be challenging to pronounce correctly for native English speakers. Here are seven of the most common mistakes that English speakers make when speaking French:

1. Not pronouncing the "r"

The French "r" is a guttural sound that is produced by vibrating the back of the tongue. It is not pronounced like the English "r" sound, which is produced by tapping the tip of the tongue against the roof of the mouth.

2. Pronouncing the "e" like an "a"

The French "e" is pronounced like the "e" in the English word "bed". It is not pronounced like the "a" in the English word "bad".

3. Pronouncing the "u" like an "oo"

The French "u" is pronounced like the "u" in the English word "put". It is not pronounced like the "oo" in the English word "boot".

4. Not pronouncing the nasal vowels

French has four nasal vowels: "a", "e", "i", and "u". These vowels are pronounced by passing air through the nose as well as the mouth. To practice pronouncing the nasal vowels, try saying the following words aloud: "an", "en", "in", and "un".

5. Not pronouncing the final consonants

French has many words that end in consonants. However, these consonants are often not pronounced when the word is spoken at a normal speed. For example, the word "petit" is pronounced "puh-tee", not "puh-tee-tuh".

6. Not using the correct liaison

Liaison is a French pronunciation rule that requires certain consonants to be pronounced when they are followed by a vowel in the next word. For example, the word "les" is pronounced "lay" when it is followed by a word that begins with a vowel, such as "enfants". However, it is pronounced "lez" when it is followed by a word that begins with a consonant, such as "amis".

7. Not using the correct intonation

French has a different intonation pattern than English. French sentences are typically pronounced with a rising intonation at the end. This can make it difficult for English speakers to understand the meaning of a French sentence.

By avoiding these seven common mistakes, you can improve your French pronunciation and sound more like a native speaker.

2024-11-04

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