Practice the rounded vowels, o vs ø
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| This is the ø 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 ø. This is the ø sound in deux, feu, eux, and other words. |
| o is the o sound in beau, chaud, mot, and other words. |
| ø and o 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 to 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 4, we have learned how 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 vowels are pronounced with rounded lips. |
| The difference between these two sounds is about the tongue position. |
| The tongue in /ø/ is more in front, and /o/ is more at the back of the mouth. |
| When you say the vowel /ø/, like in deux, |
| your lips are rounded, |
| and your tongue is in the front part of your mouth, |
| like in /e/ |
| For the vowel /o/, like in dos, |
| your lips are rounded, |
| but your tongue pulls towards the back of your mouth. |
| So, Listen to the difference and repeat after me. |
| ø o. |
| [3 sec pause] |
| ø o (enunciated). |
| [3 sec pause] |
| ø o. |
| ø o. |
| [3 sec pause] |
| ø o (enunciated). |
| [3 sec pause] |
| ø o. |
| So try to focus on the tongue position when you pronounce these two sounds. |
| Listen and repeat or speak along with me. |
| Ready? |
| deux/dos |
| (space for repetition) |
| deux/dos |
| peu/pot |
| (space for repetition) |
| peu/pot |
| Let's review. Respond to the prompts by speaking aloud. Then, repeat after me, focusing on pronunciation. |
| Do you remember the sound that has the front vowel? |
| (3) |
| (2) |
| (1) |
| ø |
| (1) |
| ø |
| And the sound that has the back vowel? |
| (3) |
| (2) |
| (1) |
| o |
| (1) |
| o |
| Let's practice. |
| Compare the sounds in these two words. Which word has the front vowel, and which has the back vowel? |
| deux/dos |
| (1) |
| deux/dos |
| (1) |
| Deux has the front vowel, and dos has the back vowel. |
| Let's try another. |
| (3 sec pause) |
| peu/pot |
| (1) |
| peu/pot |
| (1) |
| Peu has the front vowel, and pot has the back vowel. |
| Let's try one more. |
| cheveux/chevaux |
| (1) |
| cheveux/chevaux |
| (1) |
| Cheveux has the front vowel, and chevaux has the back vowel. |
| Now, listen to the following sentences. Which words have the front vowel, and which words have the back vowel? |
| (1 sec pause) |
| Il a deux livres dans son sac à dos. |
| deux, dos |
| (3 sec pause) |
| Il y a un peu d'eau dans le pot. |
| (3 sec pause) |
| peu, pot |
| (3 sec pause) |
| Read the following sentence out loud, focusing on the different sounds. |
| Elle attache ses cheveux quand elle s'occupe de ses chevaux. |
| (3 sec pause) |
| cheveux, chevaux |
| By the way, if you watched til the end |
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