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Lesson Transcript

This is the o sound, and this is the u 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 o. This is the o sound in beau, chaud, mot, and other words.
U is the u sound in nous, fou, où, and other words.
o and u are called "back vowels" because they are pronounced with the tongue positioned in the back of the mouth.
In Lesson 4, we have learned how to make the o sound: part the lips and round them. The tongue moves toward 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
To make the u sound: part the lips and round them more tightly.
The tip of the tongue moves a little to the back of the mouth.
u
[3 sec pause]
u (enunciated)
[3 sec pause]
u
u
[3 sec pause]
u (enunciated)
[3 sec pause]
u
Both o and u are pronounced with rounded lips. The difference between these two sounds is about how closed your mouth is,
and how far your tongue is in the back of your mouth.
When you say the vowel /o/, like in tôt,
the mouth is less closed,
and the tongue is less far back than /u/.
For the vowel /u/, like in tout,
the lips are more rounded.
And the mouth is more closed than /o/.
So, Listen to the difference and repeat after me.
o u.
[3 sec pause]
o u (enunciated).
[3 sec pause]
o u.
o u.
[3 sec pause]
o u (enunciated).
[3 sec pause]
o u.
So try to focus on the openness of the mouth and the tongue position when you pronounce these two sounds.
Listen and repeat or speak along with me.
Ready?
faute/foot
(space for repetition)
faute/foot
faux/fou
(space for repetition)
faux/fou
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)
o
(1)
o
And the more closed sound?
(3)
(2)
(1)
u
(1)
u
Let's practice.
Compare the sounds in these two words. Which word has the more closed sound, and which has the more open sound?
faute/foot
(1)
faute/foot
(1)
Foot has the more closed sound, and faute has the more open sound.
Let's try another.
(3 sec pause)
faux/fou
(1)
faux/fou
(1)
Fou has the more closed sound, and faux has the more open sound.
Let's try one more.
(3 sec pause)
tôt/tout
(1)
tôt/tout
(1)
Tout has the more closed sound, and tôt 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)
Une faute pendant le match de foot.
faute, foot
(3 sec pause)
C'est faux, il est fou!
(3 sec pause)
faux, fou
(3 sec pause)
Read the following sentence out loud, focusing on the different sounds.
Je me lève tôt pour tout préparer.
(3 sec pause)
tôt, tout
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