Difference between revisions of "Language/French/Pronunciation/Liaisons"
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[[File:liaisons.jpg|thumb]] | [[File:liaisons.jpg|thumb]] | ||
< | <div style="font-size:200%;"> When should we pronounce the French "Liaisons" between words?</div> | ||
Unlike some other languages, in French what you read if often different from what you pronounce. | Unlike some other languages, in French what you read if often different from what you pronounce. | ||
"Une liaison" in French means "a link" or "a relationship". 2 words with "a liaison" are 2 words linked together. The last letter of the first word is pronounced under certain conditions. | "Une liaison" in French means "a link" or "a relationship". 2 words with "a liaison" are 2 words linked together. The last letter of the first word is pronounced under certain conditions. | ||
According to Wikipedia, "''the liaison is the pronunciation of a final consonant immediately before a following word starting with a vowel''". | According to Wikipedia, "''the liaison is the pronunciation of a final consonant immediately before a following word starting with a vowel''". | ||
There are 3 types of liaisons: mandatory optional and forbidden liaisons. Here we describe only '''mandatory''' liaisons and '''prohibited''' liaisons. | There are 3 types of liaisons: mandatory optional and forbidden liaisons. Here we describe only '''mandatory''' liaisons and '''prohibited''' liaisons. | ||
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==Mandatory Liaisons== | ==Mandatory Liaisons== | ||
The sign '''_''' means "pronounce the liaison". For example "les_amis" is pronounced "LeZami" with a liaison | The sign '''_''' means "pronounce the liaison". For example "les_amis" is pronounced "LeZami" with a liaison. | ||
*Between a determinant and the word it determines: "les_amis", "quels_amis", "ces_amis", "les_uns et les_autres", "de bons_amis". | *Between a determinant and the word it determines: "les_amis", "quels_amis", "ces_amis", "les_uns et les_autres", "de bons_amis". | ||
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They are at the border of two important rhythmic and syntactic groups. | They are at the border of two important rhythmic and syntactic groups. | ||
In this logic, the liaison is not pronounced between, for example: | In this logic, the liaison is not pronounced between, for example: | ||
The sign '''%''' means "do not pronounce the Liaison". For example "en % haut" is pronounced "en haut" without liaison. | |||
*A nominal group and a verbal group: "les enfants % écoutent" | *A nominal group and a verbal group: "les enfants % écoutent" | ||
Revision as of 17:04, 24 April 2020
When should we pronounce the French "Liaisons" between words?
Unlike some other languages, in French what you read if often different from what you pronounce.
"Une liaison" in French means "a link" or "a relationship". 2 words with "a liaison" are 2 words linked together. The last letter of the first word is pronounced under certain conditions.
According to Wikipedia, "the liaison is the pronunciation of a final consonant immediately before a following word starting with a vowel".
There are 3 types of liaisons: mandatory optional and forbidden liaisons. Here we describe only mandatory liaisons and prohibited liaisons.
Mandatory Liaisons
The sign _ means "pronounce the liaison". For example "les_amis" is pronounced "LeZami" with a liaison.
- Between a determinant and the word it determines: "les_amis", "quels_amis", "ces_amis", "les_uns et les_autres", "de bons_amis".
- Between a verb and its subject and object pronouns: "ils_ont", "les_ont_ils", "nous_en_avons".
- With adverbs, prepositions and monosyllabic conjunctions: "en_avion", "très_intéressant", "quand_elle parle".
- With the auxiliary verb to be (although this is a very frequent rather than obligatory link): "il est_ici", "ils sont_arrivés".
- Between the words constituting certain fixed expressions: "tout_à l’heure", "quand-est-ce que", "tout_à coup", "de temps_en temps", "un sous-entendu", etc.
Prohibited Liaisons
They are at the border of two important rhythmic and syntactic groups.
In this logic, the liaison is not pronounced between, for example:
The sign % means "do not pronounce the Liaison". For example "en % haut" is pronounced "en haut" without liaison.
- A nominal group and a verbal group: "les enfants % écoutent"
- A noun and an adjective postposed: "un étudiant % américain"
- After the proper names: "Jean % est parti"
- With conjunctions "et" and "ou" : "du pain % et % un bon fromage", "du pain % ou un croissant"
- After the interrogative adverbs : "Quand % est-il arrivé?", "Combien % en as-tu?"
- After the personal pronouns subject in an inversion : "vont-ils % arriver ?"
- With the words beginning with an aspirated "h" (« h » aspiré): "un % héros", "en % haut"
Here are a few words starting with a « h » aspiré:
| French | English |
|---|---|
| hache | axe |
| haie | hedge |
| haine | hatred |
| haïr | hate |
| haleter | gasp |
| hall | lobby |
| halte | halt |
| hamac | hammock |
| hameau | hamlet |
| hamster | hamster |
| hanche | hip |
| handicap | handicap |
| hanneton | cockchafer |
| hanter | haunt |
| harceler | harass |
| harem | harem |
| hareng | herring |
| haricot | bean |
| harnais | harness |
| harpe | harp |
| harpon | harpoon |
| hasard | hazard |
| hâte | haste |
| hausse | rise |
| haut | top |
| hautain | haughty |
| hautbois | oboe |
| Havane | Havana |
| hérisson | hedgehog |
| héron | heron |
| héros | hero |
| herse | harrow |
| hibou | owl |
| hiéroglyphe | hieroglyph |
| hochet | rattle |
| hockey | hockey |
| Hollande | Holland |
| homard | lobster |
| Hongrie | Hungary |
| honte | shame |
| hoquet | hiccough |
| houblon | hop |
| hublot | porthole |
| huit | eight |
| hurler | to scream |
- In some frozen groups: "nez % à nez", "riz % au lait", "mort % ou vif"
Videos
References
https://adnzh.wordpress.com/2009/01/03/les-liaisons/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liaison_(French)
Comments:
https://www.reddit.com/r/French/comments/6o0r4t/when_should_we_pronounce_the_french_liaisons/