This lesson introduces French liaison: when a normally silent final consonant is pronounced at the beginning of a following vowel-initial word. Liaison helps explain how written word boundaries can sound different in connected French speech.
A liaison is the pronunciation of a potential final consonant when a following word begins with a vowel or semivowel and the words are connected in an appropriate grammatical and phonological context. The consonant is heard as the onset of the following syllable.
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What is liaison?
Liaison is the pronunciation of a potential final consonant that is normally silent when an appropriate following word begins with a vowel or semivowel.
What is a collocation?
A frequent association of words. Liaison is especially common in familiar combinations, such as a determiner followed by a noun.
What is enchainement?
Enchainement is the linking of a pronounced consonant to the onset of the following syllable. It can occur with a liaison consonant or an already pronounced final consonant.
Does spelling alone determine liaison?
No. A written silent final consonant is pronounced only when the phonological and syntactic context permits liaison.
What happens in bon ami?
The vowel of bon denasalizes, and /n/ links to the following vowel: /bɔ.n‿a.mi/. The result resembles the pronunciation of bonne amie.
Quiz questions
In standard French, what effect does aspirated h have on liaison before a word such as haricot?Answer: It blocks liaison before the word.
Which word combination ordinarily requires liaison in French?Answer: A determiner followed by a noun.
Which statement describes liaison after the French word et?Answer: Liaison is normally excluded after et.
What linking consonant is used in standard imperative forms such as parles-en and vas-y?Answer: /z/
How are liaisons generally treated when French poetry is read or sung?Answer: They are generally pronounced unless they are otherwise impossible.
Based on the Wikipedia article Liaison (French), licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.