Practice the nasal vowels, ɛ̃ vs ã
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| This is the ɛ̃ sound. And this is the ã sound. By the end of this lesson, you'll be able to tell them apart, PLUS you'll be practicing them and on your way to perfect pronunciation! |
| I'm Doria, and this is French Pronunciation Through Minimal Pairs. |
| First is ɛ̃. This is the ɛ̃ sound in main, faim, lundi, and other words. |
| ã is the ã sound in vent, sans, chambre, and other words. |
| ɛ̃ and ã are "nasal vowels" because they are pronounced when air passes through the nose as well as the mouth. |
| To make the ɛ̃ sound, first make the ɛ sound. Position the middle of your tongue slightly higher toward the roof of your mouth while keeping the tip near your bottom teeth. |
| Lower the soft palate and let air go through your nose and mouth at the same time. |
| ɛ̃ |
| [3 sec pause] |
| ɛ̃ (enunciated) |
| [3 sec pause] |
| ɛ̃ |
| ɛ̃ |
| [3 sec pause] |
| ɛ̃ (enunciated) |
| [3 sec pause] |
| ɛ̃ |
| To make the ã sound: the mouth is wide open and relaxed. The tongue is back. |
| Lower the soft palate and let air go through your nose and mouth at the same time. |
| ã |
| [3 sec pause] |
| ã (enunciated) |
| [3 sec pause] |
| ã |
| ã |
| [3 sec pause] |
| ã (enunciated) |
| [3 sec pause] |
| ã |
| The difference between these two sounds is about the shape of your mouth. |
| /ã/ is pronounced with more open and rounded lips than /ɛ̃/. |
| When you say the vowel /ɛ̃/, like in vin, |
| your lips are stretched, |
| and your mouth is less open. |
| For the vowel /ã/, like in vent, |
| your lips are rounded, |
| and your mouth is more open. |
| So, Listen to the difference and repeat after me. |
| ɛ̃ ã. |
| [3 sec pause] |
| ɛ̃ ã (enunciated). |
| [3 sec pause] |
| ɛ̃ ã. |
| ɛ̃ ã. |
| [3 sec pause] |
| ɛ̃ ã (enunciated). |
| [3 sec pause] |
| ɛ̃ ã. |
| So, try to focus on the openness of the mouth when you pronounce these two sounds. |
| Listen and repeat or speak along with me. |
| Ready? |
| vin/vent |
| (space for repetition) |
| vin/vent |
| bain/banc |
| (space for repetition) |
| bain/banc |
| Let's review. Respond to the prompts by speaking aloud. Then, repeat after me, focusing on pronunciation. |
| Do you remember the sound that's more open? |
| (3) |
| (2) |
| (1) |
| ã |
| (1) |
| ã |
| And the more closed sound? |
| (3) |
| (2) |
| (1) |
| ɛ̃ |
| (1) |
| ɛ̃ |
| Let's practice. |
| Compare the sounds in these two words. Which word has the relatively more closed sound, and which has the more open sound? |
| vin/vend |
| (1) |
| vin/vend |
| (1) |
| Vin has the more closed sound, and vend has the more open sound. |
| Let's try another. |
| (3 sec pause) |
| bain/banc |
| (1) |
| bain/banc |
| (1) |
| Bain has the more closed sound, and banc has the more open sound. |
| Let's try one more. |
| (3 sec pause) |
| enfin/enfant |
| (1) |
| enfin/enfant |
| (1) |
| Enfin has the more closed sound, and enfant has the more open sound. |
| Now, listen to the following sentences. Which words have the more closed sound, and which have the more open sound? |
| (1 sec pause) |
| Je bois du vin sous le vent. |
| Il vend du bon vin. |
| vin, vend |
| (3 sec pause) |
| L'enfant dort enfin. |
| (3 sec pause) |
| enfin, enfant |
| (3 sec pause) |
| Read the following sentence out loud, focusing on the different sounds. |
| Elle se repose sur le banc après son bain. |
| (3 sec pause) |
| bain, banc |
| By the way, if you watched til the end |
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