Vocabulary (Review)

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Lesson Transcript

This is the u 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 u. This is the u sound in nous, fou, où, and other words.
y is the y sound in une, tu, rue, and other words.
u and y are both pronounced with rounded lips.
In Lesson 5, we have learned how to make the u sound: part the lips and round them more tightly. The tip of the tongue 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
In Lesson 6, we have learned how 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 the tongue position.
y is a front vowel, and u is a back vowel.
When you say the vowel /u/, like in roue,
the tongue is in the far back of the mouth.
For the vowel /y/, like in rue,
the tongue is in the front part of the mouth.
So, Listen to the difference and repeat after me.
u y.
[3 sec pause]
u y (enunciated).
[3 sec pause]
u y.
u y.
[3 sec pause]
u y (enunciated).
[3 sec pause]
u y.
So try to focus on the tongue position when you pronounce these two sounds.
Listen and repeat or speak along with me.
Ready?
roue/rue
(space for repetition)
roue/rue
tout/tu
(space for repetition)
tout/tu
Let's review. Respond to the prompts by speaking aloud. Then, repeat after me, focusing on pronunciation.
Do you remember the sound where the tongue is positioned in the front?
(3)
(2)
(1)
y
(1)
y
And the sound where the tongue is positioned in the back?
(3)
(2)
(1)
u
(1)
u
Let's practice.
Compare the sounds in these two words. Which word has the front vowel, and which has the back vowel?
roue/rue
(1)
roue/rue
(1)
Rue has the front vowel, and roue has the back vowel.
Let's try another.
(3 sec pause)
tu/tout
(1)
tu/tout
(1)
Tu has the front vowel, and tout has the back vowel.
Let's try one more.
(3 sec pause)
dessous/dessus
(1)
dessous/dessus
(1)
Dessus has the front vowel, and dessous has the back vowel.
Now, listen to the following sentences. Which words have the front vowel, and which have the back vowel?
(1 sec pause)
Il y a une roue dans la rue.
roue, rue
(3 sec pause)
Tu peux tout faire.
(3 sec pause)
tu, tout
(3 sec pause)
Read the following sentence out loud, focusing on the different sounds.
L'horloge est au-dessus de la fenêtre, le chat est en dessous.
(3 sec pause)
dessus, dessous
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