FIRST STEPS / Beginner
EXERCICES DE
PRONONCIATION
In this section and the remaining ones of FIRST STEPS, we will look at French consonants. A number of French consonants are pronounced exactly as in English, while others are completely different. Using your teacher or the audio as a model, practice and repeat the following:
c –This letter has two different sounds:
1.When it is followed by the vowels a, o, or u, or a consonant, it is pronounced like “c” as in the English word “cat.”
canard, reconnu, curieux, accuser, raconter, cacher, cochon, percuter.
2. When “c” is followed by e or i, or when it is written ç (this little sign is called a “cédille”), it is pronounced like “s” as in the English word “snake.” certain, civil, commençons, perçu, perça
ch – This combination is pronounced like “sh” as in the English word “shirt.”
cherche, chocolat, chapeau, planche, chien, tache, échaudé, enchanté, chapelle, cochon, choisir, chou
g – This letter has two different sounds:
1. When it is followed by the vowels a, o, or u, or a consonant, it is pronounced like “g” as in the English word “gum.”
guide, glissade, gros, rigole, garage, gorge, mangue, gui
2. When it is followed by the vowels e or i, it is pronounced like the “z” in “azure.”
girafe, nage, mangeons, girouette, gymnastique, Georges