Vocabulary (Review)

Learn New Words FAST with this Lesson’s Vocab Review List

Get this lesson’s key vocab, their translations and pronunciations. Sign up for your Free Lifetime Account Now and get 7 Days of Premium Access including this feature.

Or sign up using Facebook
By clicking Join Now, you agree to our Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, and to receive our email communications, which you may opt out at any time.
Already a Member?

Lesson Notes

Unlock In-Depth Explanations & Exclusive Takeaways with Printable Lesson Notes

Unlock Lesson Notes and Transcripts for every single lesson. Sign Up for a Free Lifetime Account and Get 7 Days of Premium Access.

Or sign up using Facebook
By clicking Join Now, you agree to our Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, and to receive our email communications, which you may opt out at any time.
Already a Member?

Lesson Transcript

This is the i sound. And this is the y 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 i. This is the i sound in il, si, vie, and other words.
y is the y sound in une, tu, rue and other words.
i and y are both "front vowels." They are pronounced with the highest part of the tongue positioned in the front part of the mouth.
In Lesson 1, we have learned how to make the i sound: the tip of your tongue should touch the lower front teeth. Your lips should be very tensed, and the corners of your mouth stretched apart.
i
[3 sec pause]
i (enunciated)
[3 sec pause]
i
i
[3 sec pause]
i (enunciated)
[3 sec pause]
i
To make the y sound: first, make the i sound and round your lips without moving your tongue.
y
[3 sec pause]
y (enunciated)
[3 sec pause]
y
y
[3 sec pause]
y (enunciated)
[3 sec pause]
y
The difference between these two sounds is about whether your lips are rounded or unrounded.
When you say the vowel /i/, like in dire,
the lips are stretched out and unrounded.
For the vowel /y/, like in dur,
the lips are rounded.
So, Listen to the difference and repeat after me.
i y.
[3 sec pause]
i y (enunciated).
[3 sec pause]
i y.
i y.
[3 sec pause]
i y (enunciated).
[3 sec pause]
i y.
So try to focus on whether the lips are rounded or unrounded when you pronounce these two sounds.
Listen and repeat or speak along with me.
Ready?
dire/dur
(space for repetition)
dire/dur
Gilles/Jules
(space for repetition)
Gilles/Jules
Let's review. Respond to the prompts by speaking aloud. Then, repeat after me, focusing on pronunciation.
Do you remember the sound that's rounded?
(3)
(2)
(1)
y
(1)
y
And the unrounded sound?
(3)
(2)
(1)
i
(1)
i
Let's practice.
Compare the sounds in these two words. Which word has the rounded sound, and which has the unrounded sound?
dire/dur
(1)
dire/dur
(1)
Dur has the rounded sound, and dire has the unrounded sound.
Let's try another.
(3 sec pause)
Gilles/Jules
(1)
Gilles/Jules
(1)
Jules has the rounded sound, and Gilles has the unrounded sound.
Let's try one more.
(3 sec pause)
pire/pur
(1)
pire/pur
(1)
Pur has the rounded sound, and pire has the unrounded sound.
Now, listen to the following sentences. Which words have the rounded sound, and which have the unrounded sound?
(1 sec pause)
C'est-à-dire que c'est dur.
(3 sec pause)
dire, dur
(3 sec pause)
Gilles et Jules sont amis.
(3 sec pause)
Gilles, Jules
(3 sec pause)
Read the following sentence out loud, focusing on the different sounds.
Le lait est pur, le jus est pire.
(3 sec pause)
pire, pur
By the way, if you watched til the end
Here’s a special resource just for you…
30+ French PDF Cheat Sheets…
…That will improve your French twice as fast — yours FREE.
Just click the link in the comments section.

Comments

Hide