|
Native English speakers often have problems differentiating between [e]-[ɛ], [ø]-[œ], and [o]-[ɔ].
The main distinction to be made here is that the first vowel of each of these pairs is more closed
than the second, meaning that the mouth is not as open.
Furthermore, when compared to similar vowel sounds of English, the French vowel is always pure and constant.
Compare and repeat the pronunciation of the following:
 |
 |
| [e]-[ɛ] |
| parlé-parlais |
| premier-première |
| thé-thème |
| boulanger-boulangère |
|
|
|
|
| [ø]-[œ] |
| chanteuse-chanteur |
| heureuse-heure |
| peut-peuvent |
| neutre-neuf |
|
|
|
|
| [o]-[ɔ] |
| dodo-dormir |
| pauvre-Hanovre |
| (le) nôtre-notre |
| gauffre-coffre |
|
|
Now repeat the following phrases being careful to distinguish the vowel pairs.
|
|
| [e]-[ɛ] |
| Chez l'étudiant typique il y a un téléphone,
une étagère, une poubelle, un réfrigérateur,
une cuisinière et des toilettes.
|
|
|
|
| [ø]-[œ] |
| Ma soeur a peur des jeunes fleurs. Elle a un peu mal aux yeux et au coeur quand il pleut le jeudi. |
|
|
|
| [o]-[ɔ] |
| L'eau est bonne. Le bateau arrive au port. Un homme avec un chapeau
attend en sortant son bol plein de carottes. |
|
|
|
