Learn French Pronunciation & Phonetics

Question 1

How is the French 'r' typically produced in standard Parisian French?

Accepted Answer

By a guttural uvular sound in the back of the throat

Answer

The French 'r' (r grasseyé) is an uvular fricative or trill produced at the back of the throat, unlike the tongue-tip 'r' used in Spanish or English.

Question 2

What is 'liaison' in French pronunciation?

Accepted Answer

Pronouncing a normally silent final consonant before a word starting with a vowel

Answer

Liaison occurs when a normally silent final consonant is pronounced because the following word begins with a vowel or silent 'h,' as in 'les amis' where the 's' of 'les' is voiced.

Question 3

Which of the following French words contains a nasal vowel sound?

Accepted Answer

maison

Answer

The word 'maison' (house) contains the nasal vowel /ɛ̃/ or /ɔ̃/ depending on dialect, characteristic of French nasal resonance through the nose.

Question 4

What is 'l'élision' in French?

Accepted Answer

Replacing a final vowel with an apostrophe before a word beginning with a vowel

Answer

Élision is when short words like 'le,' 'la,' or 'de' drop their final vowel (marked with an apostrophe) before a word beginning with a vowel or silent 'h,' such as 'le école' becoming 'l'école.'

Question 5

How many nasal vowels does standard French have?

Accepted Answer

3

Answer

Standard French has three nasal vowels: /ɑ̃/ as in 'an,' /ɛ̃/ as in 'vin,' and /ɔ̃/ as in 'bon,' each resonating through the nasal passage.

Learn French Practice Test

Learn French Practice Test

Learn French Pronunciation & Phonetics