French Lesson Unit1/Lesson2

Unit 1/Lesson 2

In the French language many words such including nouns are masculine or feminine and have a masculine and a feminine form. Some examples in masculine form are:

(the) le prof

(a, an) un copain

(my) mon frère

(your) ton cousin.

Some examples in feminine form are:

(the) la prof

(a, an) une copine

(my) ma soeur

(your) ta cousine.

When speaking French some words seemed linked together and the words are not separated. An example would be “ un ami”. When pronouncing the word there would not be a pause between un and ami. The final “n” of un, mon, and ton would normally be silent but is pronounce when the next word begins with a vowel sound. Vowel sounds are a, e, i, o, u, and often h. This is called Liaison. The “n” is pronounced as if it is the first letter of the next word. An example of a liaison would be “un Anglais”.

Some words look similar in French and English when they are written. They sound and are pronounced differently, as well as the impression of the word. This section is broken down by tenseness, rhythm, linking, and syllables. With tenseness the English language is very relaxed. Vowels are often glided. Some consonants also may be prolonged. Examples are cinema, chateau, Michelle. The French is a very tense language. Vowels are short and clipped and they do not glide. Consonants are short and distinctly pronounced. Examples are cine’ma, Mich`ele. English rhythm is sing-songy. Some syllables are short and others are long. An example would be “She’s my cousin.” French rhythm is very even. Only the last syllable of a group of words is longer than the others. An example would be “C’est ma cousine.” Next is linking. In spoken English words are normally separated. There is spacing or breaths between words. When speaking French words are not separated. The words seem to come together. An example would be “Bonjour Isabelle.” There is no pause or break when saying these two words. The last section is...