Vowels
The number of pure vowels in the French language and their IPA.
Eight vowels [i, e, ɛ, a, ɑ, ɔ, o, u]
These consonants are typically pronounced at the end of French words.
'c, r, f, l' (CaReFuL)
The names of the three types of word connections (en français).
Enchaînement, elision et liaison
Name the three exceptions to the pronunciation of 'll' in French.
Mille, ville, tranquille
French syllables typically flow from ______ to _____.
Consonant to vowel
This common, infinitive verb ending is pronounced [e].
-'er'
IPA this word: grenouille (n. frog)
[grə 'nu ij] or [grə 'nu i jə]
Four vowel letter spellings that produce the sound: [ɛ].
(Hint: different diacritics count)
'e, è, ê, ë, ei, ai, ay, ey'
These consonants nasalize vowels when in the same syllable. Bonus: provide an example word for each.
'n' and 'm'
The vowel sound that must be present in order to make elision.
A schwa [ə]
The vowel letters 'au' produce the sound [o], except when followed by this consonant.
'r'
French allows this number of vowel sounds per syllable.
One
Name two spellings of verb endings pronounced [ɛ].
- 'aient' , - 'ait', - 'ais'
IPA this word: caoutchouc (n. rubber)
Hint: the final 'c' is silent
[ka ut 'ʃu]
Medial 'emm' or 'enn' produces this vowel sound.
'a' antérieur (bright a) - [a]
Three possible spellings that produce a yod ('j' glide).
'y, ï, i, il, ill'
Four consonants that change pronunciation in liaison.
Bonus: a fifth consonant that changes only in a specific context
'd,' 's', 'g', x'
Bonus: 'f' in the word neuf (nine).
The exception to verb endings pronounced: [ɛ]. Name both it's spelling and IPA.
'-ai' [e]
Name two scenarios in which a vowel is lengthened.
Stressed nasal vowel + proncounced consonant
Stressed [ɑ, o ø] + pronounced consonant
Stressed [i, ɛ, a, ɔ, u, y, oe] + pronounced consonant
Name three spellings of suffixes pronounced: [ə].
- 'e', -'es',- 'es' - 'ent' (verb ending)
IPA this word: quincaillerie (n. hardware store)
[kɛ̃ ka jɛ 'ri]
The mixed vowel [oe] is comprised of these two pure vowels.
[ɔ] lips and [ɛ] tongue
Name four, French digraph consonant spellings and their sounds.
'th, ph, sc, ch, gn, ng' [t, f, s, ʃ, ɲ, ŋ]
In addition to masculine adjectives, these two words lose nasality when involved in liaison.
'Bon' and 'divin'
The exception to the rule: a = [ɑ] when followed by an 's'.
-'as' verb ending
Place accent d'insistance on the word: inconcevable (inconceivable)
Bonus: pronounce your answer like Wallace Shawn in The Princess Bride.
[ɛ̃ kõ sə 'vabl]
Three spellings of final consonant clusters pronounced [ɾ].
'r', 'rs, 'rd, 'rt' 'rds', 'rts
IPA this word: anticonstitutionnellement (unconstitutionally)
[ɑ̃ ti kõ sti ty sjɔ nɛ lə 'mɑ̃]
The aperture of the French 'schwa' falls in between that of these two vowels.
[ø] and [oe]
Two double consonant pairs which, when followed by [i] or [e], become two distinct consonant sounds.
'cc' and 'gg' [ks] and [gʒ]
Name three situations in which liaisons are forbidden.
After single nouns, after the word "et", over a rest or breath, before an aspirate 'h', before numbers or interjections
These two words are the exception to the rule: masculine adjective endings lose their nasality in liaison.
'Bien' and 'rien'
Name two elements of diction used in other languages (not including specific sounds), that are not used in French.
Diphthongs, double consonants, glottal stops
Three words with 'er' endings, pronounced [ɛɾ].
Amer, mer, enfer, fer, hier, cher, cancer, l'hiver
IPA this word: Hexakosioihexekontahexaphobie (fear of the number 666)
[ɛg za ko zjo jɛg zɛ kõ ta ɛg za fɔ 'bi]