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l | ![]() | The French 'l' is similar to the 'l' in English "with Lee". The tongue tip usually touches the back of the upper teeth. It is also a so-called "clear" l: in other words, you don't raise the back of your tongue as you pronounce the French 'l', as occurs in some cases in English. | |
a | ![]() | The French 'a' vowel is pronounced with the tongue far forward in the mouth and the mouth quite wide open, but not quite as open as for a typical English 'a' vowel. | |
k | ![]() | A French 'k' sound (often written "qu" or, as in English, "c") is generally pronounced in a similar way to the English 'k' sound of "skin", "scan" etc. In other words, it is not usually followed by a "strong burst of air" (aspiration) as in the 'k' sound of English "kit", "can" etc. If you are a native English speaker, repeat the word "cool" then "school" while holding your hand in front of your mouth. In the word "cool", you'll feel a stronger burst of air than in "school". In French, you always pronounce the 'k' sound as in English "school", without the strong burst of air. | |
u | ![]() | The French 'ou' vowel is pronounced with the back of the tongue "pushed up towards" the back of the mouth and the lips rounded. The back of the tongue is not quite as close to the roof of the mouth as in the French 'close o' sound. | |
ʁ | ![]() | The French 'r' is generally what is technically called a "uvular fricative". In simple language, that means you bring the back of your tongue close enough to the back of the mouth that it causes friction (the "raspy" sound that you hear) with the escaping air. | |
ʒ | ![]() | This sound is the sound represented by the 'g' in "beige", or the 's' in the English word "leisure". | |
ɛ | ![]() | The French 'open e' vowel, is pronounced with the tongue almost as far forward in the mouth as it will go, but with the mouth a bit more than half open. Keep your lips unrounded and aim to "hold your tongue and lips in position" (to avoid producing it as a "glide" or diphthong) as you pronounce this vowel. | |
t | ![]() | The French 't' is pronounced like an English 't' after a 'th' sound (as in "with two"). Your tongue touches the back of the teeth. Also try to avoid a "strong burst of air" (aspiration) as in English. If you are a native English speaker, repeat the word "tool" then "stool" with your hand in front of your mouth. In "tool", you'll feel a stronger burst of air than in "stool". In French, pronounce the 't' as in English "stool", without the strong burst of air. | |
ə | ![]() | The 'schwa' or 'neutral e' is pronounced with the tongue in a "central, relaxed" position and the mouth also in a 'half open, relaxed' position. Note that many French speakers actually tend to pronounce this vowel as a 'close eu' vowel (as occurs at the end of words ending in -euse), or at least with some rounding of the lips. | Even though the word ends in -e in the spelling, notice how in the pronunciation, this vowel isn't "fully" pronounced. Instead, the syllable before it receives the stress. |