THE ALPHABET. A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, X, Y, Z. a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, k, l, m, n, o, p, q, r, s, t, u, v, x, y, z. THE VOWELS, As they are pronounced in spelling. a, é, i, o, u. Another Scale. a, e, é, è, i, o, u, ou. The Scale of the vowels or simple sounds may be increased; for there are in French several other simple sounds which are commonly represented by two letters as in heureux, peureux. THE CONSONANTS. b, c, d, f, g, h, j, k, l, m, n, p, q, r, s, t, v, x, Z. The above characters may be pronounced according to the English way of spelling, or by annexing to them any vowel, either before or after. PART I. CHAPTER I. OF PRONUNCIATION. In order to give a just and exact idea of the pronunciation of a language, it is principally necessary to distinguish, as candidly as possible, all the different sounds used in the pronunciation, without any regard to the letters made use of to express those sounds; because a language, as French, English, &c. may express different sounds by the same characters, and the same sounds by different characters. The French simple Sounds in Nine Figures. (1) a, an (2) e, (3) é, (4) è or ê, en, ebb, when, through the nose as if a g was after it. (5) i, in, (6) o, on, u, eu, un, ou, he, when as above. no tongue. curate, curiosity. this sound is quite wanting in English. to, do. I am very sensible that the conformity of sounds in every English word, does not fully answer to the nicety of the French pronunciation, it being impossible to find such English words, as have strictly the same sound as in French; it may, however, be sufficient for our purpose to have shown, as exactly as possible, the affinity of the French and English sounds. The simple sounds include the true French pronunciation. There is no child but will easily, and in a short time get it, if the master takes care to make him pronounce these simple sounds properly, and join the consonants with them; wherein consists the whole and only art of reading French. The compound sounds will easily be formed by this practice, as, From the ninth and fourth sounds, we have these, moi, I or me; foi, faith*; by adding an r, noir, black; boire, to drink. From the ninth and fourth or fifth, these, foin, hay; moins, less; point, not at all. From the sixth and r, or, gold; fort, strong; bord, brim; port, harbour. From the ninth and r, court, short; cour, a yard. From the eighth and r, fleur, flower; beurre, butter. From the eighth and liquid l, deuil, a mourning; feuille, a leaf. From the fourth and liquid l, soleil, the sun; pareil, like. From the first and liquid l, mail, a mall; éventail, a fan. The same may be said of all other combinations. N.B. At all times, when a consonant follows the simple sound, the compound is stronger, and more open; as fleur, beurre, or, port, &c. * On such like occasions, the ninth and first are sounded so quickly, that it is not easy to distinguish them from the sixth and fourth sounds. 2 1 chien, a dog. bien aise, very glad. précepteur, a preceptor. Q, is always followed by 1 u, in the beginning of words, and sounded like k, quatre, four. 1 miroir, a looking glass. 2 s, sage, wise. R, S, z, rose, a rose. 2 t, amitié, friendship. 4 ks, sexe, sex. gz, exemple, an example. ss, soixante, sixty. z, dixième, the tenth, or dix, ten followed by a vowel. All these sounds are exemplified by some more words ranged in their respective classes, in my PRACTICE OF THE FRENCH PRONUNCIATION, ALPHABETICALLY EXHIBITED, where you may find words, wherein such letters are either pronounced or not. CHAPTER III. An Alphabetical List of many of the French Adjectives each agreeing in Gender and Number with a different Substantive to make them understood. OBS. Those Adjectives marked thus, t, go generally before their Sub stantives. Adjectives. ABJECTE, Abusive, académique, acariâtre, admirable, adverse, affable, affairé, F condition, an abject condition. abominable, M crime; an abominable crime. F coutume, an abusive custom. M exercice, an academical exercise. F humeur, a humoursome temper. F invention, a wonderful invention. F partie, an adverse party. F demoiselle, an affable lady. M homme, a busy man. F manières, affected manners. M ton, an affirmative tone. F veuve, an elderly widow. F surprise, an agreeable surprise. M fruit, wild fruit. affectées, affirmatif, âgée, agréable, F sauce, a sourish sauce. F fille, a lovely girl. M ouvrage, an easy work. M vents, trade winds. agreste, aigrelette, aimable, aisé, alimentaire, F pension, an alimony. alizés, altier, ambiguë, ambitieux, amère, amortissable, alphabétique, F liste, alphabetical list. M homme, a proud man. amoureuse, F fille, an amorous girl. amphibologique, F expression, an ambiguous expression. anatomique, ‡ancien, Anglicane, animales, annuelle, anodins, anonyme, anséatique, antique, appétissante, âpre, aquilin, F dissection, an anatomical dissection. F église, the church of England. M château, an antique castle. |