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Lesson Transcript

This is the /ɲ/ sound. And this is the /n/ 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 ɲ. This is the m sound in signe, gagner, montagne and other words.
n is the n sound in nuage, non, nature, and other words.
ɲ and n are called "nasal stops" because the air is blocked in the mouth and allowed to escape through the nose.
To make the ɲ sound:
The lips are slightly open.
The central part of the tongue touches the hard palate.
Push air through the nose.
And release the tongue from the palate.
ɲ
[3 sec pause]
ɲ (enunciated)
[3 sec pause]
ɲ
ɲ
[3 sec pause]
ɲ (enunciated)
[3 sec pause]
ɲ
To make the n sound: the lips and teeth move slightly apart.
The tip of the tongue touches the top of the mouth near the upper teeth.
Push air through the nose.
n
[3 sec pause]
n (enunciated)
[3 sec pause]
n
n
[3 sec pause]
n (enunciated)
[3 sec pause]
n
The difference between these two sounds is about where the air is blocked in your mouth.
One is in the front part of the mouth; the other is in the middle part of the mouth.
When you pronounce /ɲ/, like in signe,
the central part of the tongue touches the hard palate. The air is blocked in the middle part of the mouth.
When you pronounce /n/, like in noix,
the tip of the tongue touches the top of the mouth near the upper teeth. The air is blocked in the front part of the mouth.
So, Listen to the difference and repeat after me.
ɲ n
[3 sec pause]
ɲ n (enunciated).
[3 sec pause]
ɲ n
ɲ n
[3 sec pause]
ɲ n (enunciated).
[3 sec pause]
ɲ n
So try to focus on where the air is blocked in your mouth when you pronounce these two sounds.
Listen and repeat or speak along with me.
Ready?
saigne/Seine
(space for repetition)
saigne/Seine
peigne/peine
(space for repetition)
peigne/peine
Let's review. Respond to the prompts by speaking aloud. Then, repeat after me, focusing on pronunciation.
Do you remember the sound that is blocked in the middle of the mouth?
(3)
(2)
(1)
ɲ
(1)
ɲ
And the sound that is blocked in the front of the mouth?
(3)
(2)
(1)
n
(1)
n
Let's practice.
Compare the sounds in these two words. In which word is the air blocked in the middle of the mouth, and in which word is the air blocked in the front part of the mouth?
saigne/Seine
(1)
saigne/Seine
(1)
In saigne the air is blocked in the middle of the mouth, and in Seine the air is blocked in the front part of the mouth.
Let's try another.
(3 sec pause)
peigne/peine
(1)
peigne/peine
(1)
In peigne the air is blocked in the middle of the mouth, and in peine the air is blocked in the front part of the mouth.
Let's try one more.
(3 sec pause)
agneau / anneau
(1)
agneau / anneau
(1)
In agneau the air is blocked in the middle of the mouth, and in anneau the air is blocked in the front part of the mouth.
Now listen to the following sentences. Which words have the sounds with air blocked in the middle part of the mouth and which have the sounds with air blocked in the front part of the mouth?
(1 sec pause)
Le titre du poème est La Seine saigne.
saigne, Seine
(3 sec pause)
Ma fille se peigne les cheveux toute seule, ce n’est pas la peine de l’aider.
(3 sec pause)
peigne, peine
(3 sec pause)
Read the following sentence out loud, focusing on the different sounds.
J’ai perdu mon anneau près de l'enclos des agneaux.
(3 sec pause)
agneau, anneau
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