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It is recommended that you study all of the American vowel sounds in detail. (See Chapters One and Two.) However, pay special attention to the vowel sounds highlighted below which are the most problematic ones for French speakers of English.
The /eɪ/ Sound
The /eɪ/ sound (as in take) doesn’t exist in French, so French speakers generally pronounce it as /ɛ/. Thus, the words take and tech end up sounding the same. Pay special attention to this vowel sound when it’s at the end of words. Listen to the way that Americans pronounce French words such as fiancé, resumé and bouquet. You will hear two vowel sounds at the end. For the word stay, instead of “sté,” say “steiii.”
Word Contrasts for Practice
Make sure that you pronounce the words in each pair differently:
| |
/ɛ/ |
/eɪ/ |
| 1. |
wet |
wait |
| 2. |
west |
waste |
| 3. |
test |
taste |
| 4. |
men |
main |
The /ɔ/ Sound
Be careful that your /ɔ/ sound (as in saw) is not influenced by the very different British version of this sound. In British English pause sounds almost like “pose,” but in American English it sounds much more like /pɑz/, and has the same /ɑ/ sound as in father or watch.
Word Contrasts for Practice
Make sure you pronounce the words in each pair differently.
| |
/oʊ/ |
/ɔ/ |
| 1. |
low |
law |
| 2. |
boat |
bought |
| 3. |
coat |
caught |
| 4. |
woke |
walk |
The /I/ Sound
You might have a tendency to pronounce /I/ (as in sit) incorrectly. Make sure you pronounce the following words differently:
| |
/I/ |
/i/ |
| 1. |
sit |
seat |
| 2. |
live |
leave |
| 3. |
fill |
feel |
The /ɘ/ Sound
You might confuse /ɘ/ as in fun, with /ɑ/ as in hop. Practice pronouncing the following words differently:
| |
/ɑ/ |
/ɘ/ |
| 1. |
shot |
shut |
| 2. |
lock |
luck |
| 3. |
cop |
cup |
The /ʊ/ Sound
Do not make the common error of confusing /ʊ/ as in good, with /u/ as in food. Make sure you pronounce the following words differently:
| |
/ʊ/ |
/u/ |
| 1. |
full |
fool |
| 2. |
pull |
pool |
| 3. |
look |
Luke |
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