CHART OF FRENCH SOUNDS

The following characters represent the sounds of the French language:

a = Ann (a) ch =

â = ah (a) b =

e = up and sometimes urn (o) d =

é = Abe (e) f =

è = ebb (e) g =

ê = ebb, prolonged (6) gn =

i = eel (i) h = ô = ode (o)

o — awe, modified (o) j =

u = product of the union of ou k =

and i (y) 1 =

eu 1 = product of the union of o m =

and è (œ) n =

eu 1 = product of the- union of ô p =

and é (0) r =

an = 5 (â) s =

in = â (e) t =

on = ô (o) v =

un = eu 1 (œ) y =

ou » ooze (u) z =

When followed by another vowel, i is ou by w: oui (wi), and u by q: lui (lqi).

The following diagrams are valuable for drill in the correct formation of vowel sounds, including nasals. For directions as to use, see Perfect French Possible, pp. 4-7 and p. 20.

= shine (S) » bed (b)

- did, modified (d) = fat (f )

•- get (g)

- canyon, modified (n)

= hat (silent in Parisian

French) (h) = measure (3) = kill (k)

- let, modified Q) = met (m)

- not (n)

= poor (p)

= rat, modified (r or R)

= sat (s)

- tan, modified (t) = vat (v)

= yearn (j) = zone (z)

represented by y: ciel (syèl),

Back

Front

Back

Front

Normal Abnormal Normal

eu* eu 1

1 Reproduced from the authors' Perfect French Possible. The symbols adopted by the Association Phonétique Internationale are given in parentheses. The sign of equality as used in this chart does not indicate identity between the English and French sounds specified, but merely approximation.