Vocabulary (Review)

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Lesson Transcript

This is the ɔ sound. And this is the o 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 ɔ. This is the ɔ sound in homme, sort, Paul, and other words.
o is the o sound in beau, chaud, mot, and other words.
ɔ and o are called "back vowels" because they are pronounced with the tongue positioned in the back of the mouth.
To make the ɔ sound: part the lips and round them slightly. The tongue moves slightly toward the back of the mouth and flattens.
ɔ
[3 sec pause]
ɔ (enunciated)
[3 sec pause]
ɔ
ɔ
[3 sec pause]
ɔ (enunciated)
[3 sec pause]
ɔ
To make the o sound: part the lips and round them tightly.
The tongue is in the back of the mouth.
o
[3 sec pause]
o (enunciated)
[3 sec pause]
o
o
[3 sec pause]
o (enunciated)
[3 sec pause]
o
Both ɔ and o are pronounced with rounded lips. The difference between these two sounds is about how open your mouth is.
/ɔ/ is pronounced with a more open mouth than /o/.
When you say the vowel /ɔ/, like in homme,
your jaw is more relaxed,
and the mouth is a little bit more open compared to /o/.
For the vowel /o/, like in eau,
your jaw is more tensed,
and your lips are more rounded.
The mouth is more closed than /ɔ/.
So, Listen to the difference and repeat after me.
ɔ o.
[3 sec pause]
ɔ o (enunciated).
[3 sec pause]
ɔ o.
ɔ o.
[3 sec pause]
ɔ o (enunciated).
[3 sec pause]
ɔ o.
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?
pomme/paume
(space for repetition)
pomme/paume
taupe/top
(space for repetition)
taupe/top
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)
ɔ
(1)
ɔ
And the more closed sound?
(3)
(2)
(1)
o
(1)
o
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?
pomme/paume
(1)
pomme/paume
(1)
Paume has the more closed sound, and pomme has the more open sound.
Let's try another.
(3 sec pause)
taupe/top
(1)
taupe/top
(1)
Taupe has the more closed sound, and top has the more open sound.
Let's try one more.
(3 sec pause)
sol/saule
(1)
sol/saule
(1)
Saule has the more closed sound, and sol 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 mets la pomme dans ma paume.
pomme, paume
(3 sec pause)
La taupe est le top!
(3 sec pause)
top, taupe
(3 sec pause)
Read the following sentence out loud, focusing on the different sounds.
Le sol est sec sous le saule.
(3 sec pause)
sol, saule
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