Variable pronunciation of the final 'e'

Hi,

I am trying to understand when the final ‘e’ of certain words seems to be pronounced ‘eh’.

For example, carte blanche sounds like “cart-eh blanche" even though carte alone has a silent ‘e.’

I assume it's due to the associated words in the sentence, but not sure the rule(s).  For instance, petite fille has a silent ‘e’.

Max

Bonjour MichaelH133,

There are many rules of the liaison phenomenon in French (the phenomenon of linking words together phonetically), however there are also many fixed expressions which are often exceptions. For example:

• plus ou moins - the ‘s’ and the ‘o’ are linked but isn't a typical, regular example

This is kind of where carte blanche fits. It's more of a fixed phrase which has its own pronunciation and unfortunately in this instance you have to just memorize it.

I hope this helps!

   -   Mitchell

I've noticed the female audio voice indulging in the ‘elective pronunciation of a final e’ frequently lately. An interesting example is in L 19.1. In the dialogue section, Je me passionne pour la peinture, is said with an abrupt halt after passionne. Later in the vocabulary section, what sounds like a different female voice says, Je me passionne pour la nourriture, with an noticeable vowel sound at the end of passionne.

It's obviously done for the purpose of speaking in a less halting style, and since it's always done by the same voice, I'd assume it's a matter of personal taste. It jumps out at me when I hear it since it really does simplify the pronunciation of a phrase.

Robert

Bonjour Robert,

Grammatically speaking, it shouldn't be elective and despithe there being many exceptions, the rules should be consistent. 

As far as “Je me passionne” is concerned, you will sometimes here people linger on certain words like “passionne” and almost flick off at the end with a pronounced “neuh” / “passionneuh” and this is simple done to stress that you are really passionate. I personally would lean into the start of the word and then pause ever so slightly before carrying on. In the dialogue of lesson 19.1 Julie is really leaning into the beginning of the word, while further down in the vocab section the speaker is not emphasising anything in particular, rather just articulating clearly.

When you add stress of emphasis to certain parts of a sentence it can really muck up the liaison of words. My only advice would be to ask yourself if the speaker is trying to emphasise anything in the sentence if sentence does not liaise with a perfect cadence. 

I hope this help,

   -   Mitchell

I am finding more examples that have me a bit confused.

Examples 1: Elle parle souvent. 

Example 2: Elle marche souvent. 

Example 3: Elle nage souvent.

Example 4: Elle mange souvent.

I'm hearing a subtle -eh at the end of parle and marche (bold) in examples 1 and 2 that doesn't occur in examples 3 and 4.

I am wondering the rule? Is this a three consonant rule? However, example 4 doesn't seem to follow the pattern.

Would appreciate explanation.

Merci

Bonjour Michael,

There is some historical context to this which I'll start with. Traditionally speaking any word with an “e” at the end used to be pronounced, but in modern standard French this was ultimately dropped. However, since this change did not affect all dialects in the same way and to the fullest extent, you will still hear the final “e” pronounced from time to time and particularly in Southern dialects.

The most common reason we pronounce the “e” in modern French is to break up consonant clusters which would otherwise disturb the flow of the language. Some constant clusters are easy enough to say, while others can be very difficult, grating or confusing. In your above examples, if we remove the “e” from the verbs then we end up with consonant clusters. If we look at “nage” and “mange” it's worth noting that the “g” is much softer than “l” in “parle” which makes it easier to liaise from the verb to “souvent”. While “ch” in “marche” almost disappears in “souvent”, thus the “e” is pronounced for clarity.

When we speak slowly and clearly this rule tends to be much more prominent because we are trying to articulate every word (historically as it is written) and as the audio in these lessons is pre-recorded, the reader is taking extra care. When we speak normally and quickly then this rule is largely swallowed up by speed.

You may not hear this “e” sound pronounced so much in spoken French, however you will hear it in many Southern accents, in speeches and in songs and poetry, or if someone is repeating themselves slowly for you. 

I hope this helps,

   -   Mitchell