โ Must-know
๐ French vowels are generally described as pure and stable in quality, whereas English vowels vary in length and may change in quality.
๐ English is mainly stress-timed, whereas French is mainly syllable-timed.
Further detail
๐ In British English, postvocalic /r/ is generally not pronounced, whereas American English usually pronounces it.
French keeps vowels pure; English varies vowel length and reduces weak syllables.
1. Which statement best distinguishes typical French and English vowel qualities?
2. Which feature is characteristic of the main pronunciation differences between English and French?
3. A speaker gives roughly equal timing to each syllable in a phrase. Which languageโs typical rhythm does this most closely represent?
How are French vowels generally described compared to English vowels?
French vowels are pure and stable in quality.
How do English vowels differ from French vowels in quality and length?
English vowels vary in length and may change in quality.
Which sounds are main pronunciation differences between French and English?
Dental fricatives /ฮธ/ and /รฐ/, English /r/, vowel length, tonic stress, and schwa.
How is postvocalic /r/ pronounced in British English?
It is generally not pronounced.
How is postvocalic /r/ pronounced in American English?
It is usually pronounced.
What timing type is English mainly classified as?
English is mainly stress-timed.
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