If you like our Grammar Notes, sign-up for more.
It's free and you will be able to add your own words and your learning status will be saved.
French was used as a common language by educated people in Europe from the 17
If you like our Grammar Notes, sign-up for more.
It's free and you will be able to add your own words and your learning status will be saved.
French was used as a common language by educated people in Europe from the 17th to the middle of the 20th century. During this period, the predominance of France and the Enlightenment made the French language into the language of arts and diplomacy – it was even adopted by some European courts!
Let us go further back in time. Have you ever wondered why there are so many similar words in English and French? Well, in the 11th century, England was invaded by Normans. The Normans were descendants of Vikings but they spoke Old French as they lived in northern France. England was ruled by a French-speaking monarchy for several centuries and this greatly changed the English language. Many of its original Germanic words were lost and replaced with French and Latin ones.
In the present time, and let me tell you last thing about the current situation of French language. In fact, it is worth mentioning that French is spoken by more than 200 million people worldwide, including native speakers (mainly in Europe and Quebec) and second language speakers (most of whom in Africa but also in America, Asia and Oceania).
French consonants are not really difficult for English-speaking persons. Here are some important differences that you must know:
ch = is always pronounced as (sh) in English:
Chine / China (pronounced the same as'sheen' in English)
ge, gi, j = are pronounced as the (s) in pleasure:
Belgique / Belgium
Japon / Japan
gn = represents a sound that does not exist in English but that is similar to that of (ny) in 'canyon' (like the Spanish (ñ)):
Espagne / Spain
h = is never pronounced in French:
Hollande / the Netherlands
que, qui = are usually pronounced as in 'Kevin' and 'kilometer', without pronouncing (u):
Turquie / Turkey
r = has always this particular uvular sound that we all know. A little practice may be necessary!
Russie / Russia
th = is always pronounced as in Thames:
Athènes / Athens
It is also important to know that final consonants are usually not pronounced in French. In États Unis, for example, you must not pronounce (ts) in États nor (s) in Unis.
As to vowels, it is a little more complicated. Important things to know:
a = has always a similar sound to that of (a) in father:
Canada / Canada
e = is not usually pronounced at the end of the word. In other positions, it may or may not be pronounced. When it is pronounced, its sound is similar to that of (e) in (the) as in 'the sea':
Allemagne / Germany
é, è, ê = have different pronunciations (closed and open). For the moment, let us say that their pronunciation is similar to that of (e) in'set':
États-Unis / USA
Grèce / Greece
I = has always a similar sound to that of (ea) in'mean' (but generally shorter):
Australie / Australia
o, ô = have two pronunciations (closed and open). For the moment, let us say that it has always a similar sound to that of (ou) in'resource' (without the ® and generally shorter):
Bolivie / Bolivia
u = has always the same pronunciation but this sound does not exist in English. It is similar to the German (ü):
Uruguay / Uruguay
Combinations of vowels are very common in French. Here are some usual combinations you must know:
ai = pronounced as è (see above):
Le Caire / Cairo
au = pronounced as (o) (see above):
Maurice / Mauritius
eu and œ = have a sound that does not exist in English. It is similar to the German (ö) and can be closed or open:
Équateur / Equator
oi = is pronounced as a diphthong (similar to the beginning of the diphthong in 'choir' or 'enquire'):
Côte d'Ivoire / Ivory Coast
ou = has always a similar sound to that of (oo) in 'boot' (but generally shorter):
Nouvelle-Zélande / New Zealand
French language has nasal vowels and these vowels are pronounced by letting the air pass through the mouth as well as the nose. You will recognize them because they are always written followed by (n) or (m) (but you must not pronounce (n) or (m)!).
an, am, en, em = have exactly the same pronunciation, similar to that of (o) in'stop' (in British English) with the air passing through nose and mouth:
Antilles / the West Indies
Argentine / Argentina
in, im, un, um = have exactly the same pronunciation (although some speakers in some countries make a difference). It is like the sound of (è) (open e) with the air passing through mouth and nose:
Finlande / Finland
on, om = are pronounced as a nasal (o) (see above):
Hongrie / Hungary
All nouns in French are either masculine or feminine. Observe that every noun is accompanied by an article:
1. (un) if the word is masculine: un homme / a man
2. (une) if the word is feminine: une femme / a woman
To connect two words in a single phrase we use et / and. For instance, un homme et une femme / a man and a woman.
Note that not only nouns referring to persons are masculine or feminine; things also have a gender in French!
un vélo / a bike
une table / a table
Like other languages using gender (Spanish, German, Arabic, etc.), gender is arbitrary, meaning that it is the result of the evolution of words. Some words evolved to be masculine, other words to be femini