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.
A. 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:
B. Repeat the following pairs of words being careful to maintain tense muscles and to prevent movement of the tongue and lips.
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.
A. 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:
| 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.
| La voyelle /i/ |
| assis/assise |
| maladie/maladive |
| favori/favorite |
| mie/mythe |
| vie/vive |
| petit/petite |
| chimie/chimiste |
| aphasie/aphasique |
| ris/rive |
| 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.
| 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. | |
| 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. | |