IndexPhonemic inventoryConclusionReferencesFrench phonology can also be defined as the sound system in French. The French language has its own rules that determine how most of its words are pronounced. These rules are determined by the nature of their words and the combinations of vowel with vowel, consonant with consonant, vowel with consonant, and consonant with vowel. Regarding the different sounds of the French language, this article focuses on the Parisian or Standard French language, which is known to many. The French language has common phonological features such as uvular /r/, nasal vowels and other processes such as liaison. Considering the French language and its 37 sounds in total, the article aims to break down French phonetics to make reading and pronouncing the French language even easier. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Phonemic Inventory In language, phonemic inventory refers to the set of speech sounds that are distinctive. The French language also has its own phonemic inventory divided into various segments. Below is a list of the various segments in the phonemic inventory of the French language with their IPA transcription. For vowels: Closed front /i/iFront Half closed /e/Close front close open /ae/Back Closed /u/Back half closed /o/Central closed /ou/These are the main vowels of the French language which can be easily pronounced with the right tongue positioning to capture the desired pronunciation. There is also a phenomenon for the vast list of French consonants which improves the pronunciation process in the language. For consonants, the segments are further divided into additional half-segments that provide the best intonation for all pronunciations. The inventory of phenomena in the French language allows people with speech difficulties to pronounce them better. Furthermore, it supports greater understanding of the language. Furthermore, the inventory of phenomena plays its role in ensuring that the message is conveyed using correct pronunciation and intonation. In spoken French, there is a common syllable structure in which most syllables begin with consonants and end with vowels (called vowel-consonant (CV) syllable structure). According to Adda-Decker et al., (2014), each syllable in French is limited to only one vowel and one consonant. Furthermore, only one consonant is not allowed to constitute a syllable. Secondly, in French, a consonant is a member of the syllable formed by the vowel immediately following said consonant. This can be summarized by stating that a syllabic stop falls before an intervocalic consonant (Adda-Decker, 2014). Phonological processes refer to the patterns of sound development that allow new learners to simplify speech as they understand new language. The French language has three main linguistic processes which are linking, elision and linking (also known as resyllabification). Of these three, the most important phonological process in the French language is liaison. In French, liaison is the pronunciation of the last (latent) consonant of a word if and only if the word ending in a consonant is followed by a vowel. It can be compared to the external sandhi of the English, interrupted by the break. This form of phonological agreement cannot be observed in the written language but is evident in spoken French. Mostly, liaison is allowed for silent consonants. When using linking, it becomes difficult for one to determine where one word begins and the other ends. For example, the following can be used.
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