Difference between revisions of "Language/French/Pronunciation/France-Regional-Accents"
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Although regional languages such as Breton, Basque or Alsatian tend to disappear because they are less and less practiced, each region in mainland France retains a distinct accent and proper expressions. A tour of the most famous French regional accents! Will you recognize them and differentiate them? | [[File:Polyglot-club-france-regional-accents.jpg|thumb]] | ||
Although regional languages such as Breton, Basque or Alsatian tend to disappear because they are less and less practiced, each region in mainland France retains a distinct accent and proper expressions. | |||
A tour of the most famous French regional accents! | |||
Will you recognize them and differentiate them? | |||
==French regional accents, in short== | ==French regional accents, in short== | ||
Each region of France has a particular accent that comes from ancient languages or dialects. Before the Second World War, there were areas where people spoke French only at school. Therefore, each of these languages has left traces that are at the root of today's regional accents. We notice in particular that certain words are pronounced differently according to the regions. | Each region of France has a particular accent that comes from ancient languages or dialects. Before the Second World War, there were areas where people spoke French only at school. Therefore, each of these languages has left traces that are at the root of today's regional accents. We notice in particular that certain words are pronounced differently according to the regions. | ||
==Southern accent or " | Some of the most famous accents include: | ||
==Southern accent or "Midi" accent== | |||
There are several accents in the south of France, influenced by Oc languages (Romance languages formed from the evolution of Latin). They include Provençal and its various variants: Marseille, Toulon, Nice, etc. | There are several accents in the south of France, influenced by Oc languages (Romance languages formed from the evolution of Latin). They include Provençal and its various variants: Marseille, Toulon, Nice, etc. | ||
The inhabitants of the South West, marked by the influence of Occitan, retain a pronounced accent, especially in the Toulouse region. For example, they say "s" at the end of the word "minus | |||
To recognize the accent and practice reproducing the southern accent, watch the excerpt from the film " | The inhabitants of the South West, marked by the influence of Occitan, retain a pronounced accent, especially in the Toulouse region. For example, they say "s" at the end of the word "moins" (minus). | ||
To recognize the accent and practice reproducing the southern accent, watch the excerpt from the film "La gloire de mon père" (Marcel Pagnol). | |||
==The Northern accent== | ==The Northern accent== | ||
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==The Parisian accent== | ==The Parisian accent== | ||
The Parisian accent has long been chosen as a model. But the French of the South find that Parisians have a sharp accent! Indeed, this accent has particular phonetic aspects! For example, the sound / ɑ / is replaced by / a / and the sounds / ø / and / ə / are pronounced [ø]. | The Parisian accent has long been chosen as a model. But the French of the South find that Parisians have a sharp accent! Indeed, this accent has particular phonetic aspects! For example, the sound / ɑ / is replaced by / a / and the sounds / ø / and / ə / are pronounced [ø]. | ||
==The Lorraine accent== | ==The Lorraine accent== | ||
It is similar to German but with different intonations. We say "wi" instead of "yes" and the "t" of twenty is pronounced ... Discover the accent of Lorraine in this documentary! | It is similar to German but with different intonations. We say "wi" instead of "yes" and the "t" of twenty is pronounced ... Discover the accent of Lorraine in this documentary! | ||
An interactive sound Atlas | An interactive sound Atlas | ||
An interactive "sound atlas" was created by the CNRS to discover 126 languages and regional French accents! | An interactive "sound atlas" was created by the CNRS to discover 126 languages and regional French accents! | ||
For each geographical location, an audio recording, as well as a transcript in phonetics are proposed. | For each geographical location, an audio recording, as well as a transcript in phonetics are proposed. | ||
Take the opportunity to discover the regional languages! | Take the opportunity to discover the regional languages! | ||
==Will French accents disappear?== | ==Will French accents disappear?== | ||
The number of French people practicing the regional languages is constantly decreasing. Regional accents, also tend to fade. According to the director of the CNRS, "we are in a phase of homogenization of pronunciations, especially among the youngest (...)". | The number of French people practicing the regional languages is constantly decreasing. Regional accents, also tend to fade. According to the director of the CNRS, "we are in a phase of homogenization of pronunciations, especially among the youngest (...)". | ||
In most ways of speaking French, the rolled "r" was almost lost. It is still heard a little, only among older speakers. | In most ways of speaking French, the rolled "r" was almost lost. It is still heard a little, only among older speakers. | ||
To learn more about the evolution of French accents, we advise you to watch this very interesting documentary. | To learn more about the evolution of French accents, we advise you to watch this very interesting documentary. | ||
To learn more about French accents and regional specificities, take part in the cultural conferences of our partner CAMPUS LANGUES! | To learn more about French accents and regional specificities, take part in the cultural conferences of our partner CAMPUS LANGUES! | ||
Revision as of 18:59, 31 May 2019
Although regional languages such as Breton, Basque or Alsatian tend to disappear because they are less and less practiced, each region in mainland France retains a distinct accent and proper expressions.
A tour of the most famous French regional accents!
Will you recognize them and differentiate them?
French regional accents, in short
Each region of France has a particular accent that comes from ancient languages or dialects. Before the Second World War, there were areas where people spoke French only at school. Therefore, each of these languages has left traces that are at the root of today's regional accents. We notice in particular that certain words are pronounced differently according to the regions.
Some of the most famous accents include:
Southern accent or "Midi" accent
There are several accents in the south of France, influenced by Oc languages (Romance languages formed from the evolution of Latin). They include Provençal and its various variants: Marseille, Toulon, Nice, etc.
The inhabitants of the South West, marked by the influence of Occitan, retain a pronounced accent, especially in the Toulouse region. For example, they say "s" at the end of the word "moins" (minus).
To recognize the accent and practice reproducing the southern accent, watch the excerpt from the film "La gloire de mon père" (Marcel Pagnol).
The Northern accent
In the North, the accent is also very strong and some people speak Ch'timi. It is influenced by languages of oïl. These gather several dialects of the north: Norman, Picardy, Walloon, Champagne, Lorraine Roman, Burgundy ... Not all Northerners have the accent and it varies by region and generation. Listen to the Northern accent and discover expressions Ch'ti!
The Parisian accent
The Parisian accent has long been chosen as a model. But the French of the South find that Parisians have a sharp accent! Indeed, this accent has particular phonetic aspects! For example, the sound / ɑ / is replaced by / a / and the sounds / ø / and / ə / are pronounced [ø].
The Lorraine accent
It is similar to German but with different intonations. We say "wi" instead of "yes" and the "t" of twenty is pronounced ... Discover the accent of Lorraine in this documentary!
An interactive sound Atlas An interactive "sound atlas" was created by the CNRS to discover 126 languages and regional French accents! For each geographical location, an audio recording, as well as a transcript in phonetics are proposed. Take the opportunity to discover the regional languages!
Will French accents disappear?
The number of French people practicing the regional languages is constantly decreasing. Regional accents, also tend to fade. According to the director of the CNRS, "we are in a phase of homogenization of pronunciations, especially among the youngest (...)". In most ways of speaking French, the rolled "r" was almost lost. It is still heard a little, only among older speakers. To learn more about the evolution of French accents, we advise you to watch this very interesting documentary.
To learn more about French accents and regional specificities, take part in the cultural conferences of our partner CAMPUS LANGUES!
Sources
https://www.courslangues.com/paris/cours-francais/accents-regionaux-francais
https://www.ifalpes.com/blog/different-regions-of-france-have-different-accents/