13.1: How silent consonants are pronounced in liaisons
- Page ID
- 270487
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)In this section, you will learn how to recognize and pronounce liaisons.
Let's get started!
What is a liaison?
A liaison is the pronunciation of a linking consonant between two words in an appropriate context. For example, the word les ('the') is pronounced [le] and the word amis ('friends') is pronounced /ami/. when they are pronounced separately, the -s a the end of teach word is silent, but the combination les amis is pronounced [lez‿ami], with a linking [z]. In other words, the silent -s in les is pronounced like a [z] at the beginning of the word ami so that it sounds like [le zami]. A liaison connects one word to the next.
A liaison only happens when the following word starts with a vowel or a semivowel
In certain syntactic environments, liaison is impossible; in others, it is mandatory; in others still, it is possible but not mandatory and its realization is subject to wide stylistic variation.
[VIDEO]
| Silent Letter | Pronunciation in a Liaison | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| s, x, z | [z] | les amis, deux heures, chez eux |
| t, d | [t] | petit enfant, quand il pleut |
| r | [r] | premier enfant |
| p | [p] | trop important |
| n | [n] | un an |
| f | [v] | neuf heures |
| g* | [g], [k]* | Bourg-en-Bresse |
In the following examples the t at the end of a word is normally silent (tout, comment), but when it is followed by a vowel, we pronounce it.
À tout__à l’heure ! Comment__allez-vous ?
An s or x in a liaison sounds like the letter z:
trois__examens, six__étudiants, deux__hommes, les__ordinateurs
Liaisons also exist after one-syllable adverbs, conjunctions, or prepositions.
Chez__elle très__élégant bien__évidemment dans__un roman
There are always exceptions to the rules and norms of a language. French speakers do not always follow these guidelines. For example, many people might say C'est incroyable without a liasion, while still making the liaison in C'est immense.
To learn more about when you do or don't do liaisons, watch this video: French Liaisons. (Suggestion: Concentrate more on the examples than the grammatical explanations.)
You will find more of these obligatory liaisons in these fixed expressions.
Les liaisons dangereuses (Dangerous liaisons).
Not all liaisons are about French pronounciation. Liaison also means "connection", "relationship", or even "liaison" in English.
Les Lisaisons dangereuses is a famous novel by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos. Explore these videos to learn more:
Let's practice!
Activity A
Practice pronouncing the following:
les jeux olympiques
chocolat italien
les Etats-Unis
Robert et Anne
des informations
les hôtels
Paul et Yvette
Manu est avec Juliette
Bernard adore
C'est un objet
dix animaux
Les amis de nos amis
Activity B
If you hear a liaison in each statement, write oui and if you do not hear it, write non.
- Liaison, oui ou non ?
- Liaison, oui ou non ?
- Liaison, oui ou non ?
- Liaison, oui ou non ?
- Liaison, oui ou non ?
- Liaison, oui ou non ?
- Liaison, oui ou non ?
- Liaison, oui ou non ?
- Liaison, oui ou non ?
- Liaison, oui ou non ?
Activity C
Can you pronounce these words or expressions correctly?
- un an
- les autres
- Tout à fait
- Vous êtes ici ?
- Ils sont à l’étage ?
- Nous aimons les artistes.
- C’est très important.
- Ses amis l’appellent Joe.
- Nous avons deux examens à dix heures.
- Mes oncles sont amusants