Vocabulary (Review)

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Lesson Transcript

This is the p sound. And this is the b 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 p. This is the p sound in petit, par, pain, and other words.
b is the b sound in beau, bâteau, bain, and other words.
p and b are called "plosives" or "stop consonants" because they are pronounced by completely blocking the airflow and then releasing it.
The French p sound is less aspirated compared to the English p sound. To make the p sound, try saying "spy," as the p in "spy" is similar to the French p, with little to no puff of air when released.
p
[3 sec pause]
p (enunciated)
[3 sec pause]
p
p
[3 sec pause]
p (enunciated)
[3 sec pause]
p
The French b sound is more voiced than the English b sound. To pronounce it, engage your vocal cords more actively, ensuring a stronger vibration as you release your lips.
b
[3 sec pause]
b (enunciated)
[3 sec pause]
b
b
[3 sec pause]
b (enunciated)
[3 sec pause]
b
The difference between these two sounds is about whether your vocal folds vibrate or not.
/p/ is voiceless, and /b/ is voiced
When you pronounce /p/, like in pain,
your vocal cords do not vibrate.
When you pronounce /b/, like in bain,
your vocal cords do vibrate.
So, Listen to the difference and repeat after me.
p b.
[3 sec pause]
p b (enunciated).
[3 sec pause]
p b.
p b.
[3 sec pause]
p b (enunciated).
[3 sec pause]
p b.
So try to focus on whether your vocal folds vibrate or not when you pronounce these two sounds.
Listen and repeat or speak along with me.
Ready?
pain/bain
(space for repetition)
pain/bain
port/bord
(space for repetition)
port/bord
Let's review. Respond to the prompts by speaking aloud. Then, repeat after me, focusing on pronunciation.
Do you remember the sound that's voiced?
(3)
(2)
(1)
b
(1)
b
And the voiceless sound?
(3)
(2)
(1)
p
(1)
p
Let's practice.
Compare the sounds in these two words. Which word has the voiced sound, and which has the voiceless sound?
pain/bain
(1)
pain/bain
(1)
Bain has the voiced sound, and pain has the voiceless sound.
Let's try another.
(3 sec pause)
port/bord
(1)
port/bord
(1)
Bord has the voiced sound, and port has the voiceless sound.
Let's try one more.
(3 sec pause)
peigne/beigne
(1)
peigne/beigne
(1)
Beigne has the voiced sound, and peigne has the voiceless sound.
Now, listen to the following sentences. Which words have the voiced sound, and which have the voiceless sound?
(1 sec pause)
Il peint les murs de la salle de bain.
peint, bain
(3 sec pause)
Le café est au bord du port.
(3 sec pause)
port, bord
(3 sec pause)
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