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Post by sistereurope on Jun 15, 2011 7:26:19 GMT -5
I'll be taking a class this summer at the Alliance Francaise: French Phonetics
All levels together, from beginner to advanced. This workshop is exclusively focusing on the sounds of French language and requires that no books or reading material be used in order to achieve a better result. You will start by learning how to say each letter of the alphabet, the vowels and consonants, the different phonemes. Difficulty will increase throughout the 8-week course to words with multiple syllables.
The goal is for absolute beginners to familiarize themselves with the sounds of French language before even taking a class, and for all other levels to work on their pronunciation.
Will let you know how I make out. I figure if I learn how to pronounce the little bit of french I can retain, the better ;D
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Post by Jody on Jun 15, 2011 8:59:15 GMT -5
Sounds really interesting. Our AF is offering a trip to France this summer..lookedpretty good too.$3000.00 airfare , accomodations, meals and transport from Paris to Bordeaux for a vineyard tour..also several wine tastings.
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Post by phread on Jun 17, 2011 1:50:21 GMT -5
Shoot me now... I will NEVER, and I mean EVER get the Rou... sound. It is maddening. I don't even hear the difference. Makes me crazy, although it is a great source of laughter for my teens, the Frenchman and his kids....
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Post by geordy on Jun 18, 2011 7:26:30 GMT -5
Shoot me now... I will NEVER, and I mean EVER get the Rou... sound. It is maddening. I don't even hear the difference. Makes me crazy, although it is a great source of laughter for my teens, the Frenchman and his kids.... Too funny Phread..can you give an example of a word/phrase where you need the Rou? I always feel silly making my 'r''s sound like 'w''s like in Kir Royale..but if I don't the waiter pauses a moment then says "Ah..KiWoyale"! and I walk around the rest of the day repeating in my head "'r''s are "w''s, 'r''s are 'w''s........" but not always.....
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Post by phread on Jun 20, 2011 1:45:33 GMT -5
geordy - it happens the most when traveling and we need to take a route. I say it so that it means mate, as in what animals do to reproduce.
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slowpoke
Full Member
Cruising into Paris
Posts: 131
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Post by slowpoke on Jul 5, 2011 11:42:39 GMT -5
I have a 7 y/o French neighbor who likes to come over and hang out with us. Upon leaving one day when he was off to visit his grandparents in Brittany, he told me that when he came back from his vacation we would work on my "R's". Apparently, my pronunciation of "vrai", which he tried to correct a couple of times that day, was hurting his ears I think maybe I should look into that French Phonetics class myself.
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Post by Darcy on Jul 5, 2011 15:58:59 GMT -5
You are not alone, phread. I will never, ever get the "r" sound either!!
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Post by mez on Jul 6, 2011 1:43:23 GMT -5
Apparently, my pronunciation of "vrai", which he tried to correct a couple of times that day, was hurting his ears Oh dear!
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Post by kerouac on Sept 29, 2011 4:09:45 GMT -5
Just imagine poor Elmer Fudd in Paris. Even speaking English, he would have trouble making himself understood if he wanted to order wabbit stew.
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Post by cybee on Sept 30, 2011 17:40:15 GMT -5
Oh, my goodness....I am in Paris now and am increasingly brave with my use of French..but then if I say something...well..almost decently..then they respond in french and I am lost and make the most blunderous (and non properly responsive) reply....sometimes I know the words but apparently I speak (phonetically)...cybeespeak! ha! However, I am lucky when I know the words and tense, etc...ha! Btw, I tried to have a bite at le Pamphlet in the 3rd arr but it was closed!
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Post by geordy on Sept 30, 2011 19:05:13 GMT -5
When I decided I was going to order the special at he Bouquet St. Paul...foie de veau...being a foie gras lover so knowing how to pronounce it forever I said foe de veau!!! ....Blaming it on jet lag!!! Laughed it off....gee 2 and a half weeks later ..... I'm still thinking about it
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Post by Shoesy on Sept 30, 2011 23:02:11 GMT -5
Happy to see that you're in Paris, Cybee. I bet you're doing better in French than you'd care to admit. And if not, then "Tom Pee!", as Roniece would say. ;D ;D ;D
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Post by Jody on Oct 1, 2011 2:35:04 GMT -5
Truff posted that Le Pamphlet had closed a few months ago. I am so sorry as it was one of my favorites. Has anyone opened in their space?It was such a pretty room
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Post by cybee on Oct 1, 2011 18:56:39 GMT -5
Jody, Oh, I missed that post but recall Truff liked that resto as did others! Sigh..so finally I was going there and voila.....GONE! In its place is "Cuisine De Bar" (did not eat there so can't say anything about it except that I took its card and see it has two locations..the "Pamphlet" location (38 Rue Debelleyme in 3rd arr) and the other location is 8 rue du Cherche-Midi in the sixth. Also today noted L'as Falafel was not open so other Falafel places had long lines...on Las Falafel it said it was closed due to cacherout (which I had to look up and best I can tell it regards certain Hebrew food laws. Shoesy, ....."tom pee"! ha!
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Post by PariS on Oct 1, 2011 22:32:41 GMT -5
Cybee, L'As is closed from sundown Friday until lunch on Sunday. Sounds like you've been having fun wandering around!
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Post by Shoesy on Oct 1, 2011 22:37:13 GMT -5
Cybee - "Cacherout" is "kashrut", from the word "kosher".
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Post by kerouac on Oct 2, 2011 14:37:32 GMT -5
The French will always correct your pronunciation (once they figure out what you are trying to say). This is to help you, not to disparage your effort. They will even correct gender errors, which are EXTREMELY important for certain words.
This isn't one of the important ones but just an example:
le vase = the vase la vase = slime
Most people will normally understand what you are saying from the context. After all, nobody thinks that you actually want to put that beautiful bouquet of flowers in slime. But there are other dual gender words that are not as obvious.
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Post by sistereurope on Mar 11, 2012 14:40:39 GMT -5
Just to update this thread...I never did take that course over the summer, but I AM taking it now. Whew! So far we've learned how to write in the French phonetic alphabet, and how to use intonation...this coming week we start on vowels. Yikes! ;D My teacher is awesome, however...taught Phonetiques at the Sorbonne. So she's smart AND super nice. Not that I'm any better!! But perhaps my mistakes will sound a bit more French...
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Post by jo on Mar 11, 2012 17:20:31 GMT -5
Sis, I can help you practice in May and June ;D
Jo
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Post by geordy on Mar 11, 2012 17:32:22 GMT -5
Sis , I exalt you for taking the course! Learning a language when you are "not a kid anymore" ..well at least age wise ...is NOT easy! And a good teacher you like is half the battle! Just don't be too hard on yourself....with all the time you've been able to spend in France..and your French speaking friends you've got a great support system! I'm still hoping for osmosis....
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