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phonétique
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La tension musculaire des voyelles françaises /i/ et /o/
During the pronounciation of many English vowels, the tongue actually moves. These types of vowels are called glides or diphthongs. In French however, the speech organs are held tense and stationary during the pronunciation of vowels.

During this lesson, you must try to keep your muscles very tense and to not move your tongue or lips as you practice the French vowels /i/ and /o/. Compare the pronunciation of the following:

audio
French (pure vowel sound) English (diphthongs)
site   seat
qui   key
analogie   analogy
pose   pose
tôt   toe
chaude   showed

B. Repeat the following pairs of words being careful to maintain tense muscles and to prevent movement of the tongue and lips.

audio
La voyelle /i/
assis/assise
maladie/maladive
favori/favorite
mie/mythe
vie/vive
petit/petite
chimie/chimiste
aphasie/aphasique
ris/rive
audio
La voyelle /o/
chaud/chaude
faux/fausse
dos/dose
beau/Beaumes
eau/aube
tôt/taupe
peau/Paule
mot/mauve
haut/haute
trop/trône
seau/sauce

C. Repeat the following phrases being careful to maintain tense muscles and to prevent movement of the tongue and lips. Pay close attention to proper intonation as well.

audio
La voyelle /i/
1. Il a fini.
2.   Est-ce qu’il a cliqué?
3.   On navique le site.
4.   Il dialogue en direct avec ses amis.
5.   Nous choisissons de faire un pique-nique.
audio
La voyelle /o/
1. Il est accro à la radio.
2.   Il aime les infos?
3.   Allô? Allons boire un pot au bistro.
4.   Le mot de passe est dodo.
5.   D’après la météo, il va faire beau.

Listening proficiency
A. You will hear 6 series of 2 similarly pronounced words, one English, one French. Whenever you hear a French word, put a check in the box in the proper column.

audio
La voyelle /i/
1. peel pile
2. scie sea
3. mit me
4. bead bide
5. mille meal
6. lit lea
audio
La voyelle /o/
1. sot sow
2. coat côte
3. close clause (fr)
4. Poe peau
5. taupe taupe (fr)
6. tôt toe

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