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Lesson Transcript

This is the /ʁ/ sound. And this is the /l/ 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 ʁ. This is the ʁ sound in faire, partir, père and other words.
l is the l sound in lui, lapin, aller, and other words.
The ʁ sound is probably the most difficult French sound for learners.
To make the ʁ sound:
Start by pronouncing the sound /ga/.
ga, ga
Ok, memorizing the position of the tongue,
and then, with the tip of the tongue against the lower gums, try to pronounce the sound ʁ.
The key to making this sound is to make sure to keep the tip of your tongue touching the front lower teeth.
ʁ
[3 sec pause]
ʁ (enunciated)
[3 sec pause]
ʁ
ʁ
[3 sec pause]
ʁ (enunciated)
[3 sec pause]
ʁ
To make the l sound: open the mouth slightly
The tip of your tongue touches the top of your mouth, behind your upper teeth.
Push the air through the sides of the tongue as the vocal cords vibrate.
l
[3 sec pause]
l (enunciated)
[3 sec pause]
l
l
[3 sec pause]
l (enunciated)
[3 sec pause]
l
The difference between these two sounds is about the position of the tip of your tongue.
When you pronounce /ʁ/, like in roux,
the tip of your tongue touches the gums behind the lower teeth.
When you pronounce /l/, like in loup,
the tip of your tongue touches the gums behind the upper teeth.
So, Listen to the difference and repeat after me.
ʁ l
[3 sec pause]
ʁ l (enunciated).
[3 sec pause]
ʁ l
ʁ l
[3 sec pause]
ʁ l (enunciated).
[3 sec pause]
ʁ l
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?
roux/loup
(space for repetition)
roux/loup
riz/lit
(space for repetition)
riz/lit
Let's review. Respond to the prompts by speaking aloud. Then, repeat after me, focusing on pronunciation.
Do you remember the sound that has a lower tip of the tongue position?
(3)
(2)
(1)
ʁ
(1)
ʁ
And the sound that has a higher tip of the tongue position?
(3)
(2)
(1)
l
(1)
l
Let's practice.
Compare the sounds in these two words. Which word has the sound with lower tip of the tongue position, and which has the sound with higher tip of the tongue position?
roux/loup
(1)
roux/loup
(1)
Roux has the sound with lower tip of the tongue position, and loup has the sound with higher tip of the tongue position.
Let's try another.
(3 sec pause)
riz/lit
(1)
riz/lit
(1)
Riz has the sound with lower tip of the tongue position, and lit has the sound with higher tip of the tongue position.
Let's try one more.
(3 sec pause)
bal/bar
(1)
bal/bar
(1)
Bar has the sound with lower tip of the tongue position, and bal has the sound with higher tip of the tongue position.
Now, listen to the following sentences. Which words have the sounds with lower tip of the tongue position, and which have the sounds with higher tip of the tongue position?
(1 sec pause)
Le loup a des poils roux.
roux, loup
(3 sec pause)
Elle mange du riz dans son lit.
(3 sec pause)
riz, lit
(3 sec pause)
Read the following sentence out loud, focusing on the different sounds.
Le thème du bar est un bal masqué.
(3 sec pause)
bar, bal
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