Pronunciation clarification

Johanna S.B1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Pronunciation clarification

Listening to the pronunciation of verbs like appeler in the first and second person plural, I don’t here any separate syllable in the verb where the single “l” is. , as in vous appelez, or nous appelons. It’s as if the “e” is simply omitted and the word is pronounced like “ applez” and “applons”. This is much more obvious with the female voice than the male. Could you clarify the pronunciation please?

Asked 3 years ago
Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor Correct answer

The letter "e" in words is often swallowed in everyday spoken French.

acheter --> ach'ter
Je vais t'appeler --> j'vais t'app'ler
Je t'appelle --> J't'appelle

Alan G.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Just to add to Chris's answer - the letter e is pronounced differently when it's followed by a double letter. As it says in the lesson:

Of course, the pronunciation is affected: -ell- is pronounced [ell], whereas -el- is [ull].

You can omit the "e" when it has an "ull" sound, but not when it has the "ell" sound.

Pronunciation clarification

Listening to the pronunciation of verbs like appeler in the first and second person plural, I don’t here any separate syllable in the verb where the single “l” is. , as in vous appelez, or nous appelons. It’s as if the “e” is simply omitted and the word is pronounced like “ applez” and “applons”. This is much more obvious with the female voice than the male. Could you clarify the pronunciation please?

Sign in to submit your answer

Don't have an account yet? Join today

Ask a question

Find your French level for FREE

Test your French to the CEFR standard

Find your French level
Thinking...