Practice the high front rounded vowels, y vs ø
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| This is the ø 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 ø. This is the ø sound in deux, feu, eux, and other words. |
| y is the y sound in une, tu, rue, and other words. |
| ø and y are both pronounced with rounded lips. |
| To make the ø sound: the tongue position is similar to the /e/ sound, so make the /e/ sound first, keep the tongue forward, and try make your lips rounded. |
| ø |
| [3 sec pause] |
| ø (enunciated) |
| [3 sec pause] |
| ø |
| ø |
| [3 sec pause] |
| ø (enunciated) |
| [3 sec pause] |
| ø |
| 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 about how open your mouth is. |
| Both vowels are pronounced with fairly closed lips, but one is slightly more open than the other. |
| /y/ is more closed, and /ø/ is slightly more open |
| When you say the vowel /y/, like in du, |
| your lips are very rounded and almost closed, |
| your tongue is high up and towards the front of your mouth. |
| For the vowel /ø/, like in deux, |
| your lips are rounded but less closed, |
| your tongue is a bit lower, |
| and your lower jaw moves a little bit away from the upper jaw, which makes the mouth slightly more open than /y/. |
| So, Listen to the difference and repeat after me. |
| ø y. |
| [3 sec pause] |
| ø y (enunciated). |
| [3 sec pause] |
| ø y. |
| ø y. |
| [3 sec pause] |
| ø y (enunciated). |
| [3 sec pause] |
| ø y. |
| So try to focus on the tongue position and the openness of the mouth when you pronounce these two sounds. |
| Listen and repeat or speak along with me. |
| Ready? |
| deux/du |
| (space for repetition) |
| deux/du |
| peux/pu |
| (space for repetition) |
| peux/pu |
| Let's review. Respond to the prompts by speaking aloud. Then, repeat after me, focusing on pronunciation. |
| Do you remember the sound that's slightly more open? |
| (3) |
| (2) |
| (1) |
| ø |
| (1) |
| ø |
| And the more closed sound? |
| (3) |
| (2) |
| (1) |
| y |
| (1) |
| y |
| Let's practice. |
| Compare the sounds in these two words. Which word has the more closed sound, and which has the more open sound? |
| deux/du |
| (1) |
| deux/du |
| (1) |
| Du has the more closed sound, and deux has the more open sound. |
| Let's try another. |
| (3 sec pause) |
| peux/pu |
| (1) |
| peux/pu |
| (1) |
| Pu has the more closed sound, and peux has the more open sound. |
| Let's try one more. |
| (3 sec pause) |
| jeu/jus |
| (1) |
| jeu/jus |
| (1) |
| Jus has the more closed sound, and jeu 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) |
| il a dû mettre deux livres dans le sac. |
| deux, dû |
| (3 sec pause) |
| Il boit un jus pendant le jeu. |
| (3 sec pause) |
| jus, jeu |
| (3 sec pause) |
| Read the following sentence out loud, focusing on the different sounds. |
| Je peux venir aujourd'hui, mais hier je n'ai pas pu. |
| (3 sec pause) |
| peux, pu |
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