Slide 1 : With exceptions like :
clef (or clé) = key
nerf = nerve
Œufs (zeu) = eggs. In singular you must pronounce the f and make the linkage with the preeceding consonant. (un (n)œuf)
And with many other letters :
For instance, we pronounce the Z for gaz, but we don’t with riz (ri)
We pronounce the final R in abrutir, or fuir but with all verbs of 1st group ending with er such as aimer, donner, chanter, parler…we don’t !
From these examples, you may think that the French language is really difficult to learn and in someway not very logical….!
Not at all….. and we can prove it to you !
It is just a question of being used to hear these different sounds.
Slide 2 : NOTE : when a word with a silent ending consonant is immediatelly followed by a vowel, you need to make la liaison (linkage)
For example : les droits affichés de ces personnes sont clairs et détaillés (displayed rights of these persons are clear and detailed ones)
The letter T is silent in « droit », but we make the linkage with affichés (zaffichés)
What about the « LIAISONS » (LINKAGE)
A characteristic of the French idiom : we do make linkage with preeceding words just for a question of good sounding.
How to recognise you need to make this linkage ? Or shouldn’t make it …..?
You have the choice between :
- required linkage
- forbidden linkage
- optionnal linkage
Slide 3 : If you are a beginner, you must learn about required and forbidden linkage.
You may find it strange, (and somehow boring sometimes…) but you will manage to grab the essential part of a correct pronounciation. Required liaison means you must always and distinctly pronounce this particular sound. You can find it in nominal or verbal groups, with « quand »+ est-ce que……? And also in given expressions.
For instance :
Un homme, des hommes un ami, des amis (amies)
Vous avez de jolis yeux
Ils ont acheté un bel appartement en centre ville.
Les anciens élèves de mon école
J’ai lu ce livre tout entier
Tout ceci est bien étrange Ruins of Roman aqueduc in Fréjus
Slide 4 : Forbidden linkage means, obviously, that you should never pronounce this sound as you will immediately be laughed at by people around you. Most of the time, it is just a question of good sounding, and sometimes to avoid confusion with other words. For instance ;
Before a H aspiré, or a mute H
Les hommes (zom), but les homards (omar) = lobster
Les héros de bande dessinée, le haut des escaliers
After an inversion of the pronoun : Sont-ils arrivés à l’heure …?
After a conjunction of coordination
Les onze élèves de cette classe, but les deux élèves…
After a singular noun : L’étudiant est disposé à refaire sa copie
After interrogative adverbs : comment est-il arrivé à ce résultat ?
Habites-tu toujours ici ….?
Slide 5 : Optional liaisons are for those who have a serious command of the language, and want to prove it.
There is no specific rule for that, but you will learn by yourself in hearing how the natives consider that option (It can depend on the region of origin, and also on social background. Je suis allé à la Poste ce matin
Il est heureux car il a reçu de bonnes nouvelles de ses parents
Finalement, c’est assez utile comme système de défense
Il n’a pas donné de ses nouvelles depuis un an.
CONCLUSION :
Generally speaking, the more you pronounce the liaisons, the higher register of language is spoken. Academic and refined language demands every possible liaison. In business French, people adopt a reasonable use of liaison. In conversational French, and specially among the younsters, a limited number can be heard.
In the streets, you will hear a very few of them, and most of the time people won’t bother with liaisons.