x BENCH PROHUNCIATION .TMTED. ^^rrrrr^rl J LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. • # ! UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, i NEW AND COMPLETE GUIDE PRONUNCIATION AND READING FRENCH LANGUAGE; 1LLUSTKATED "WITH ANALOGOUS ENGLISH SOUNDS. BY NORMAN W. CAMP, D. D, Neto fork: PUBLISHED BY GEORGE SAVAGE, 58 FULTON STREET. PHILADELPHIA: LIPPINCOTT, GRAMBO & CO, LONDON" :— SAMPSON', LOW, SON & CO. 1853. PREFACE. A wish to assist the student in acquiring- a correct and intelligible Pronunciation of the French Language, prompted the writing of this little book. How far the author has succeeded, remains to be tested. Within a few years past, the desire to learn the French language, has become almost universal ; and hence, the multiplication of Grammars, Dictionaries and various elementary books to meet that desire. Most of --our scholars now translate the French with facility ;— but how few are able to pro- nounce it either correctly or satisfactorily I Teachers of this language ordinarily depend upon the pupil's capacity to imitate sound, rather then upon any rules.or practi- cal examples. Hence the variety and incorrectness of spoken French in our schools. An elementary work devoted exclusively to Pronunciation, has been a desideratum long felt and acknowledged by all. Of Grammars, many in number, and for the most part, excellent in quality, we have enough ; and now, this book comes upon the stage, and only asks to be studied carefully and patiently, before its merits are acknowledged. It claims nothing new, except its arrangement, and the practical illustration of every sound in the French language ,_by_means of Analogous English sounds, with which every scholar is presumed to be familiar. The author hopes it may be found serviceable in the first place, to those who cannot have the aid of the living teacher. Secondly, to those who, whilst they can translate the French without difficulty, still have little or no confidence in their own pronunciation. Thirdly, to all teachers of the French language, both natives and foreigners. To those of the former, who wish to be both practical and thorough in their work : and to those of the latter especially, whose limited knowledge of the English Language, precludes to a certain extent, an illustration of peculiar sounds in a discriminating and intelligible manner. Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1853, By George Savage, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the Southern District of New York. *l •.-* ^ J *>* ' *•« -j*^\v\ % * . . ^ Uniformity not Innovation. THE MODERN LANGUAGES ILLUSTRATED BY ANALOGOUS ENGLISH SOUNDS. No. 1 FRENCH. " 2 GERMAN. 11 3 SPANISH. " 4 ITALIAN. BY REV. N. W. CAMP, D. D. Electro typed by A. H. Jocelyn, New York, 1853. FRENCH PRONUNCIATION. Lesson L Alphabet of the French Language. 1. A tolerable Pronunciation of any spoken language may be acquired by imitating the sounds of that language, as uttered by a living teacher. But the Reading and Writing of any language cannot thus be learned. The pupil must bring into requisition something else besides his imitative powers, if he would thoroughly comprehend any language. The Alphabet of the language to be learned must be exhibited, examined, and mastered. 2. An Alphabet, is a collection of different characters called letters, each of which represents its own peculiar sound. These letters differ from each other in name, form, size, and sound. Used as vehicles of thought, they must not only be familiar to the eye, but their use, both singly and combined, must be understood. LESSON I. 3. Two objects are before the student whilst perusing this book, viz. : — First. — The acquisition of the correct pronunciation of the various sounds of the letters of the French Alphabet Secondly. — To learn how to combine and use these sounds, in order to read the French Language easily, intel- ligibly, and profitably. 4. The first object will be accomplished by the aid of analogous English sounds; that is, every sound represented by a letter or combination of letters of the French Alpha- bet, will be unfolded, analyzed, and defined, as far as possible, by means of analogous sounds of a letter or continuation of letters of the English Alphabet. 5. The second object will be accomplished by learning a few brief and simple Rules, illustrated and enforced by appropriate examples. 6. Diligent attention, patient labor, and a determina- tion TO SUCCEED, will enable the learner to overcome every obstacle, and thus make him master of a Language not only exceedingly difficult for foreigners to acquire, but beautiful in itself, and coexistent with the triumphs of civilization. 1. The student's attention is next directed to an inspec- tion of the French Alphabet. THE ALPHABET 7 Capitals. Small Letters. Capitals. Small Letters. A a A a B b B b C c C c D d D d E e E e F f F f a g Compare the Al- a g H h H h I i phabet at the left I i J j of this page, with J j K k the one on the K k L M 1 m right, which is the L M 1 m U n English Alphabet, Bf n and carefully note P Q p Q P q r the difference be- P q r tween them. S s S s T t T t U u TJ u Y V Y V - W w X X X X Y y Y y Z z Z z In the French Alphabet there are only twenty-five letters ; it has no letter which corresponds to the English W, though it is occasionally found in French books . It is used only m foreign words, and then pronounced like the English Y 8. The French Alphabet is divided into Towels and Consonants. LESSON I. 9. VOWELS. These six letters are called Yowels, viz. : — a e i O U and y. 10. CONSONANTS. These nineteen letters are called Consonants, viz. : — bcclfghj kin n p q r S t V x and z. 11. COMPOUND VOWELS. They are thus called, because, being united together, each vowel loses its own simple sound, and helps to form another new sound. They form but one syllable, and are consequently pronounced by one emission of the voice. There are seven Compound Yowels, viz. : — ai au ean ei eu oi and on. 12. DIPHTHONGS. They are thus called, because, though pronounced as one syllable, yet the sound of both vowels is distinctly heard. There are six Diphthongs, viz. : — ia ie io ua lie and ui. The following ten combinations of three successive vowels are also called Diphthongs, viz.: — iai ian ieu oua oue oui uai tiei me and neu. These Diphthongs are thus divided into syllables, viz. : — i-ai i-au i-eu ou-a ou-e ou-i u-ai u-ei ii-ie and u-eu. THE ALPHABET. 9 They must, however, be pronounced quickly, and as one syllable. Sometimes, also, we find four successive vowels in the same word, viz. : — OTiai in the -word jou-ai, oueu " jou-eur, and ouee " bou-e'e. The first example — ouai, is composed of two compound vowels, viz. : ou and air The second example — oueu, is also composed of two compound vowels, viz. : ou and eu. In the last example — ouee, the final E is silent, and the three vowels are thus divided, viz. : ou and e. 13. Y. The vowel Y is frequently found combined with other vowels, but in such combinations it is never used as a diphthong. Its use in combination is peculiar, and will be fully explained hereafter. 14. NASAL VOWEL SOUNDS. These are certain sounds produced by the combination of the vowels, with the consonants M and N, viz. : am em irn om urn ym and an en in on un yn; whose sounds will be explained hereafter. 15. NASAL DIPHTHONGAL SOUNDS. These are certain sounds produced by the combination of nasal vowels with another vowel, not nasal, before them, viz. : ian ien ion uan uin ouan and ouin. 10 QUESTIONS ON" THE FIRST LESSON. 16. LIQUIDS. The following combinations of the consonants are called Liquids, viz. : 11 and gn. The sounds of these liquids are very common in the French language, and will be explained hereafter. QUESTIONS ON THE FIRST LESSON. 1. What is the subject of the First Lesson ? By what means may a tolerable Pronunciation of any spoken language be acquired ? By what means only, can the reading and writing of any language be obtained ? 2. What is an Alphabet ? In what particulars do letters differ from each other ? What is said concerning them ? 3. State the first object set forth. State the second. 4. By the aid of xohat, is the first object to be accom- plished ? Explain this. 5. Hoiu is the second object to be accomplished ? 6. What are necessary to insure the learner's success in this undertaking ? What is said here about the French Language ? QUESTIONS ON THE FIEST LESSON. 11 7. Of how many letters is the French Alphabet com- posed ? On comparing the French with the English Alphabet, wherein do they differ from each other ? Whenever a W is found in the French language, like what English letter is it pronounced ? 8 Into what, is the French Alphabet divided ? 9 How many vowels are there ? 10 How many consonants are there ? 1 1. What are Compound Yowels ? How many are there ? 12. What are Diphthongs? How many are there ? How many diphthongal combinations of three successive vowels are there ? How must they be pronounced ? Are there also diphthongal combinations of four success- ive vowels? 13. What is here said of Y ? 14. What are Nasal Vowel Sounds? How many are there ? 15. What are Nasal Diphthongal Sounds? How many are there ? 16. What are Liquid Sounds? How many are there ? Xame them. What is here said concerning them ? 12 LESSON II. Lesson II, French Accents. 11. The constant use of certain marks called Accents in the French language, constitutes a marked peculiarity which cannot escape the attention of the student. Rarely, except in elementary works of the English Language, is the syllable of any given word which requires an emphasis, marked. 18. But it is not so in the French Language; here, accents of various kinds are constantly meeting the eye on every page. One thing, however, must be observed, viz. : — the position of the Accent does not always and infallibly mark the syllable of a word, which must receive the stress of voice in common pronunciation. 19. Modern Grammarians have established the following rule, viz. : To place the stress of voice ON THE LAST PRONOUNCED SYLLABLE OF EVERY WORD. 20. A slight inspection only of the following examples will illustrate the above remarks. The first syllable of this word is marked with an accent ; must the stress of voice therefore be placed upon the syllable de ? No : — if the rule be applied to this word, the stress of voice falls on the last syllable, RER. It will then be asked, What is the use of this accent ? I answer, It modifies the sound of the vowel over which it is placed. De-vo-rer FRENCH ACCENTS. 13 Again : — the word used now as an ex- ample, has the same kind of an accent as the word used in the previous exam- ple had ; and, also, it is placed over the same vowel. But it has another differ- ent accent over the first vowel of the second syllable ; and, according to the rule, the stress of voice is not placed either upon the first or second syllable, t but upon the last. Le-gere-Hient Ba-ti-ment • This second accent (observe its form and position) only serves to modify the sound of the vowel over which it is placed. Sometimes, however, an accent is placed over a vowel of the syllable, which, according to the rule, receives the stress of voice, viz. : Ce-le-bri-te. Again, in the word used here as an ex- ample, a third, and still different accent is placed over the vowel A. Its presence affects the sound of that vowel only. It has nothing whatever to do with the proper accent of that word, as the term Accent is understood when applied to words in the English language. As a general rule, the stress of voice is not so strong in the French as in the English language. 21. Accents, as used in the French language, are cer- tain marks differing from each other, and placed over certain vowels only, for specific purposes. 14 LESSON II. 22. There are three Accents, viz. : — called the Acute Accent. Grave " Circumflex " 23. ' The Acute accent is used only over the vowel E, and serves two purposes : First, — to modify its sound. Secondly, — to mark the existence of a distinct and final syllable, viz. : — De, Trom-pe, Re-tar-de, Cer-e-mo-nie. 24. * The Grave accent is used only over the vowels A, E and XT, viz. : — a, Pere, and Ou, and serves two purposes : First, — to modify the sound of the vowel E. Secondly, — to distinguish one part of speech from an- other, viz. : — a is a Preposition, a is a Verb, la is an Adverb, la is an Article, OU is an Adverb, OU is a Conjunction. 25. A This character, which represents the Circumflex accent, is the union of the Acute and Grave accents, and is placed over each of the vowels except Y. It indicates that the letter over which it is placed, has a sowid twice as long as it has without it, viz. : — Age, Bete, Biiclie, Cote, Gite, Me-lee, and Tete. FRENCH ACCENTS. 15 This accent also indicates the suppression of the letter S, after the vowel over which is it placed ; thus Bete, Fete, and Tete were formerly written Beste, Feste, and Teste. The S was not sounded, but gave to the preceding vowel that prolonged sound now represented by the Cir- cumflex accent. (Fasquelle's New Method.) This accent also serves to distinguish parts of speech from each other, viz. : Cm is a Participle from the Verb CroItre. Oru is a Noun and Adjective. JJu. is a Participle from the Verb Devoir. JDll is an Article and Noun. I\edu a Participle from the Verb Redevoir. Sui* is an Adjective. Sill* is a Preposition. Tu is a Participle from the Verb Taire. Tu is a Pronoun. 26. CEDILLA. Besides the three kinds of accents just enumerated, certain other marks or signs are used, called Cedilla, Dieresis, Hyphen, and Apostrophe. c The Cedilla is a peculiar mark, somewhat resembling a figure 5 inverted, and placed only under the letter C, before the vowels A, O, andTJ, viz. : Q. 16 LESSON II. It indicates that the letter C under which it is placed, has the soft sound of the letter S, viz. : Qa pronounced as if printed ba. Deca " Desa. Facade " Fasade. Faconner " Fasonner. Lecon " Leson. Recu " Resu. 27. DIERE8IS. •• The Dieresis consists of two dots, placed over the vowels E, I, and TJ. It shows that the vowel over which it is placed, is pronounced separately from the preceding vowel ; thus indicating, in reality, a distinct syllable, viz. : Naivete pronounced as if printed Na-ive-t6. Ou'ir u Ou-ir. Poete " Po-ete. 28. HYPHEN - The Hyphen is a short horizontal mark, which is used to connect words and syllables, viz. : A-t-il, Belles-Lettres, Celui-ci, Demi- kilometre, Fait-on, Suis-je, and Tres-rarement. Its use in connecting syllables is precisely the same as in the English language ; that is, when a word is divided, so that a part of it is at the extreme right-hand of a page, and the rest, at the extreme left. FKENCH ACCENTS. 17 29. APOSTROPHE. 1 The Apostrophe is like a comma placed at the upper end of letters, instead of at the lower end, or the bottom on a line with the lower end. Its use is, to show the elision or cutting off a vowel before words commencing with a vowel or H mute, and is much used in the French language, viz. : — L' ami instead of Le ami. L' eglise " La eglise. L' homme " Le homme. S'il " Siil. 30. EUPHONIC T This letter is thus called on account of its peculiar posi- tion between two parts of speech, viz., the Yerb and Pronoun. It does not sound agreeably to the French ear to say a elle, a il, demande on, &c. Therefore, to prevent the hiatus of sound between the vowels at the end ofthe first and the beginning of the second words in the examples, this Euphonic T is inserted. It is used only in asking questions, and then a hyphen is placed both before and after it, viz. :— a-t-elle ? a-t-il ? ira-t-on ? demande-t-on ? parle-t-il ? va-t-on ? prouve-t-il ? This letter cannot be translated, because it has no mean- ing. It is thus used, merely for the sake of euphony. 18 QUESTIONS ON THE SECOND LESSON. 31. PARENTHESIS AND PUNCTUATION. In the French language, the Parenthesis () Comma , Semicolon ; Colon : Period . Mark of Interrogation ? Mark of Exclamation ! Dash — and Quotation " " are the same, and used for the same purposes, as in the English language. 32. ASTERISKS. The Asterisks in the French language, are also the same, and used for the same purposes, as in the English language, viz. : — * t % § I 1 QUESTIONS ON THE SECOND LESSON. 17. What is the principal subject of this Lesson? What does the use of the Accents constitute ? 18. Are Accents used more frequently in the French, than in the English language ? What fact must be observed ? 19. Repeat the Rule which modern Grammarians have established. QUESTIONS ON THE SECOND LESSON. 19 20. On which syllable of the French word De-vo-rer, must the stress of voice be placed ? What is the use of that mark over the vowel E of the first syllable of that word ? Aside from the spelling of the word Le-gere-ment, wherein does it differ externally from the word De-vo-rer ? Which syllable receives the stress of voice ? Of what use, then, is this second accent ? Where may the accent sometimes be placed ? In the word Ce-le-bri-te, which syllable receives the stress of voice ? Why? What do you discover about the word Ba-ti-ment, different from what pertained to the other two words, De-vo-rer and Le-gere-ment ? On which syllable of the word Ba-ti-ment, is the stress of voice placed ? What is the use of this accent ? In which language (French or English) is the stress of voice the stronger ? 21. What are Accents in the French language ? Where are they placed ? 22. How many Accents are there in the French language ? Repeat their names. 23. Describe the Acute accent. Over what vowel only is it placed ? How many purposes does the Acute accent serve ? Mention the Jirst. Mention the second. Write on the black-board, or slate, or piece of paper, four French words marked with the Acute accent. 20 QUESTIONS ON THE SECOND LESSON. 24. Describe the Grave accent. Over what vowels only, is it placed ? How many purposes does the Grave accent serve ? Mention the first. Mention the second. Write on the black-board examples of French words marked with the Grave accent. 25. Describe the Circumflex accent. Over which letters of the French alphabet is this accent used? What does it indicate ? Write on the black-board examples of French words marked with the Circumflex accent. What else does this accent indicate ? Explain this on the black-board. Does this accent also serve to distinguish parts of speech from each other ? Explain this. 26 : Describe the Cedilla. Where is it placed ? With what letter only is the Cedilla used ? Before what vowels only is the letter C with the Cedilla used ? What does it indicate ? Explain this on the black-board. 21. Describe the Dieresis. Over what vowels only is the Dieresis used ? For what purpose ? Explain this on the black-board. QUESTIONS ON THE SECOND LESSON. 21 28. Describe the Hyphen. What is its use ? Explain this on the black-board. 29. Describe the Apostrophe. Where placed ? What is its use ? Explain this on the black-board. 30. Euphonic T. Why is this letter thus called ? Describe its position. When is it used ? Give examples of its use on the black-board. Why cannot this letter be translated ? Eor what purpose is it used ? 31. Parenthesis and Punctuation. Describe the Parenthesis. Describe the Comma. Describe the Semicolon. Describe the Colon. Describe the Period. Describe the mark of Interrogation. Describe the mark of Exclamation. Describe the Dash. Describe the Quotation marks. How are these several marks used ? 32. Asterisks. How are the Asterisks used in the French language ? 22 LESSON III. Lesson III, Name and Sound of the Vowels. 33. A a. Name. Sound. AH. Like the letter A in the English word MARK. Pronounce this English word — Mark, aloud several times, with strict reference to the sound of the French letter A, until you are sure of haying its correct sound. The sound thus obtained, always belongs to the French letter A in the alphabet, that is, whenever the French alphabet is repeated, always give the first letter the sound of A in the English word MARK, that is, AH. But the French A does not always and invariably have this sound whenever and wherever it is used in a French word. Its sound depends upon its position in a word, and upon the accent under which it is placed, either by itself, as constituting a single word, or within a word of one or more syllables. The letter A has, then, another sound, which we illustrate by the sound of the letter A in the English word FAT. Pronounce this English word — Fat, aloud several times with strict reference to the sound of the French letter A, until you are sure of having its correct sound. The French letter A has, therefore, two distinct sounds, viz. : — Short sound in the English word FAT. Long sound in the English word MARK. NAME AND SOUND OF THE VOWELS. 23 In this work, the English letter A will be used to illus- trate the short sound of the French vowel A ; and AH will be used to illustrate the long sound of the French vowel A. A, has the short sound represented by A in the English word FAT, when it is a word by itself, and generally when it begins or ends a French word. There are ex- ceptions to this rule ; but they will be readily noticed by the pupil in the spelling by means of English letters, designed to illustrate the pronunciation of a given French word. A, has the long sound represented by A in the English word MARK, when it is pronounced as the first letter of the French alphabet, and also when under the Circumflex accent, which will be illustrated hereafter. Exercise upon the short sound of the French vowel A, in the following examples. Pronounce every French word in the following table aloud, and, when possible, always study your French lessons aloud. French. Pronunciation, English. Abaca A-ba-ka Manilla Hemp. Alarme A-larni Alarm. Bal Bal Ball Caresse Ka-ress Endearment Dame Da-m Married Woman. Lama La-ma Lama. Masque Mas-k Mask. The above examples are introduced to illustrate the short sound of the French vowel A. In the first word, 24 LESSON III. (Abaca,) be careful not to pronouce it Ay-bay-Jcay ; but give each A in each syllable, the sound of A in the English word FAT. In the next word, do not say Ay -la firm ; remember to give the sound of A in the English word EAT. Trill the R in the last syllable of the word A-larm. It will be perceived the final E of this word (A-larme) is not sounded. This vowel is sometimes under a Grave accent ; thus, a, la, voila ; but its sound is not materially affected thereby. See Section 24, Lesson II. 34. A a. Under the Circumflex accent, this vowel has the long sound represented by A in the English word MARK, and is named AH. It has, besides, a little more than the sound just spoken of, for the sound must be prolonged, and in order to do this conveniently, the mouth must be opened a little wider than in uttering its short sound, represented by A in the English word FAT. Be careful, however, not to pronounce A a, like the sound of the English word AWE, but give it the sound of AH prolonged, in the following examples, viz. : — French. Age Ame Baclie Bafre Bat Capre Pronunciation. English. Ah-zh Age. Ah-m SouL Bah-sh Awning. Bah-fr' Gormandizing. Bah Pack-saddle. Kah-pr' Caper. NAME AND SOUND OF THE VOWELS. 25 Pronunciation. English. Grah-s Favor. Mah-1 Male. Mah-s Stake, (in betting) Pah-1 Pale. French. Grace Male Masse Pale Rabachage Ba-bah-shazh Repetition. 35. E e. Name. Sound. AY. Like the letters AY in the English word DAY. Pronounce aloud the word DAY, until you have a dis- tinct idea of the single sound of the combination of the letters AY ; and then pronounce the word without the D, viz. :— DAY AY, and thus you have the sound of the vowel E, which de- serves the most particular attention of the pupil, because of its importance in the French language. It is used more than any other letter,- viz. : — in five different ways, and hence it has five different names, viz. : — E Silent, E Mute or Unaccented, E Acute, E Grave, and £ Circumflex. 36. E e Silent. When final, and unaccented in words of more than one syllable, E is silent, viz. : — English. Abaqu^ Abatag^ Pronunciation. A-bak. A-ba-tazli. French. Abacus. Killing. 26 LESSON III. French. Pronunciation. English. AlgaracU Al-ga-rad Insult. Approclitf A-prosli Approach. Article Ar-teekl' Thing. Ballotte Ba-lot Ballot. Domestiqu^ Domes-teek Domestic. Passage Pah-sazh Passage. Possible Po-see-bl' Possible. Spectacle Spek-ta-kT Sight. Terrible Ter-reebl' Awful. Veritable Vay-ri-tabP Genuine. In the following words, the E is silent, viz. : — Gdni pronounced S lwee. Gelsi 81a or f 3'laii. Pri^rai u Pre-ray. Again, in the following words, the middle E is silent, viz. : — Autrement, Entiwoir, and Payment, &c. In the word Cont< mance both E's are silent ; ordinarily, the E before A and 0, is silent, viz. : — Jesm and Georges. 37. E e Mute or Unaccented. Before proceeding to the illustration of the sound and use of E mute or unaccented, let me commend the follow- ing extract from the Preface of Bolmar's " Collection of Colloquial Phrases," edition of 1852, to the careful perusal NAME AND SOUND OF THE VOWELS. 27 of the pupil. Speaking of the unaccented E, he says, — " Several of our best orthoepists express themselves thus on that subject : — ' The proper utterance of the unaccented E characterises, in part, the pronunciation of the gentle- man, as a vicious one marks the low-bred and ignorant. The unaccented E is sometimes pronounced and sometimes not ; and in that consists a great difficulty for foreigners, who, always pronouncing it full; are long before they are able to follow a French conversation, and thence are in- clined to believe that the French speak much faster than any other people. The truth is, that the French, taking them in general, do not speak faster than other people ; but, in conversation and in familiar reading, they drop the unac- cented E as often as they can do it, and thus go quicker through a sentence than does a foreigner, who gives the full sound of U in TUB to every unaccented E he meets with. Thus the word Contenance, and the phrase je n'ai pas recu tout le vetement, will be pronounced by a foreigner and a Frenchman native of Grascony, — Con-te-nan-ce — -je ne pa re-cu tou le ve-te-men ; whereas, a well-bred Frenchman will pronounce' — cont-nans, — jne pa rsu tout vet-men, sounding in the first word two syllables only, where the others would sound four ; and in the sentence, sounding six syllables, where the others would sound ten.' " The French custom of clipping or shortening words as much as possible, in ordinary reading and common conver- sation, is well illustrated in the following sentence, viz. : — " Q-nand vous serez le meme, vous me trouverez le meme." This sentence contains thirteen syllables in prose, viz. : — Quand-vous-se-rez-le-meme-vous-me-trou-ve-7'ez-le-meme. In poetry, m'bne would have two syllables. However, in 28 LESSON III. familiar reading and conversation, it is pronounced in eight syllables only, viz. : — Quand-vou-srel-meme-voum-trouv-rel- meme. The suppression of this E is precisely the reason why foreigners imagine that the French speak so very quickly. E e Mute or Unaccented. Name. Sound. UH ! Like the sound of the letter U in the English word NUT ; or, like the sound of the last syllable ER in the words OYER and WATER, when spoken quickly. The E mute or unaccented, " is a mere emission of the voice without any distinct sound It either succeeds a consonant, by the articulation of which it becomes sensible, or comes after a vowel, of which it may be considered the prolongation." (Bceuf's New and Complete Grammar.) It is confessedly difficult to illustrate the sound of this vowel, by the aid of English letters : yet it is worthy an honest attempt. True, it may be acquired from a teacher, by sheer imitation; but alas, all learners are not good imitators ! If it can be illustrated by analogous English sounds, it seems quite reasonable to suppose that through this process, many more students would understand and acquire it, than if they were left merely to the doubtful policy of imitation. Let us try. Before the pupil attempts to pronounce the French words used for examples, let him observe most carefully the sound of the last syllable of the following words, when uttered as they usually are, in common conversation, viz. : — Moth-er ! Broth-er ! Nev-er ! Sis-ter ! Wa-ter ! NAME AND SOUND OF THE VOWELS. 29 Take any one of the above English words, viz. : — the first — Moth-er ! Pronounce it naturally and aloud with a full voice several times, until the common sound of the last syllable in particular, is familiar to the ear. Take each of those words and thus practice, by pronouncing aloud carefully, but naturally ; observing at the same time THE SOUND OF THE LAST SYLLABLE. Now, by what combination of letters would you represent that sound? By XJR, as in the first syllable of the English word Mur-mur ? Or, by UH I ? Manifestly the latter. Below are a few French words, which you will now pro- ceed to pronounce aloud, giving to the vowel E in each example, the sound represented by the letters ER in the last syllable of the word Nev-er I Pronounce each of the following French words quickly and abruptly, as if an exclamation mark were placed after each one of them, viz. : — That is, a combination of the letter S, with the usual sound of the last syllable of the English word, Moth-er ! Ce like suh ! De like duh! Je like zhuh ! That is, a combination of the let- ter D, with the usual sound of the last syllable of the same word, Moth-er ! That is, a combination of the letters ZH, with the same sound mentioned in the first example ; or, like the sound of the last syllable of the word Pleas-ure ! as usual- ly pronounced, but without the 30 LESSON" III. sound of the Y, which is sometimes heard ; i.e., pleas-ure ! and not pleas-yure ! Le like luh! Me like muli ! - Ne like null ! - Se like suh ! Te like tuh ! Que like kuh That is, a combination of the letter L, with the same sound mentioned in the first example. That is, a combination of the letter M, with the same sound mentioned in the first example ; or, like the sound of MU in the first syllable of the English word Mutter. That is, a combination of the letter N, with the sound mentioned in the first example ; or, like the sound of NU in the English word Nut. Pro- nounce NU in the word NUT, and you have the correct pronunciation of the French word NE. That is, exactly like the pronuncia- tion of CE as given in the first example. That is, exactly like the sound of the last syllable of the English word Wa- ter ! That is, like the sound of the last syllable of the English word Baker, pronounced rather carelessly. Take, if you please, another illustration, viz. : — the sound of TJ in the English word NUT, as explained above, in NAME AND SOUND OF THE VOWELS. 31 illustrating the sound of the French word NE. This will give the correct sound of E mute or unaccented. The sound of E mute or unaccented, resembles the sound of the letter E of the word THE, which is heard in pro- nouncing quickly these two words, viz. : — The Man. Apply the sound of this E thus pronounced, to the E in the following words, viz : — Ce, De, Je, Me, Ne, Se, Te, Que, &c. Or, lastly, — the' sound of E mute or unaccented, is based upon the sound of English A pronounced naturally. Let the organs within the mouth maintain as nearly as possible the same position, whilst the lips are protruded as if to pout or whistle. Then, whilst the mouth is in this position, endeavor to pronounce English A again ; this, in a majority of cases, will give the correct sound of E mute or unac- cented. Practise frequently on this last-mentioned plan aloud, and the ear will soon detect the viciousness or cor- rectness of the sound. Most pupils who are not good imitators of sound, find more or less difficulty in acquiring this sound ; but patient perseverance will, in due time, over- come every obstacle. Further illustrations on the use of E mute or unaccented, will be given in the Reading Les- sons in the latter part of this book. In illustrating the sound of E mute or unaccented, the following signs will be used, sometimes one, again the other, viz., TJH !, and the Apostrophe, thus : — Je by Zhuh! or by J' Se " Sun! " S' 32 LESSON III. 38. E e Acute. Name. Sound. AY Like the letters AY in the English word PRAY. EXAMPLES. French. Pronunciation. English. Arrive A-re-vay Arrived. Eleve Ayl-vay liaised. Ete Ay-tay Summer. Flagorne Fla-gor-nay Wheedled. Forge For-zhay Forged. Joue Zhoo-ay Sported. Merits May-reet Worth. Oblige O-ble-zliay Obliged. Preceder Pray-say-day To Precede. Premedite Yrsty-m&Y'&ee^SLjJPremeditated. Trouve Troo-vay Found. Yerite Yay-ree-tay 39. & e Grave. Truth. Name. Sound. AI Like the letters AI in the English word STAIE. NAME AND SOUND OF THE VOWELS. 33 French. Chere Colere Eleve Fievre Jardiniere Maniere Madere Mere Modele Pere Katiere EXAMPLES. Pronunciation. Shair Ko-lair Ay-laiv Feai-vr' Zhar-de-neair Ma-neair Ma-dair Mair Mo-dail Pair Ra-teair English. CTieer. Passionate, Pupil. Fever. Gardener. Manner. Madeira. Mother. Pattern. Father. Pat-trap. 40. E e Circumflex. Name. Sound. AL Like the letters AI in the English word STAIR. E has a longer and broader sound than £. The mouth must be opened wider in pronouncing the former than the latter. In ordinary reading and common conversation, the difference between E and fi is hardly perceptible. Still there is a difference ; just the difference between pronouncing E like the letters AI in the English word STAIR with the mouth half opened, and pronouncing the same letters in the same word with the mouth well opened, and also prolonging the. sound. Practice will demonstrate this, viz. : — 34 LESSON III. EXAMPLES. French. Pronunciation. English. Bete f Bait ^4 Beast Creroe |j Kraim Cream, Crepe | Kraip Crape. Depeche § Day-paish Dispatch. Etre I Aitr' To be. Extreme ^ Eks-traim Extreme. Foret | Fo-rai Forest. Meme *§ Maim The same. Precher 1* Prai-slia To preach. Pret £ Prai Heady. Keve g Baiv Dream. Tete iTait a. Head. QUESTION'S ON" THE THIRD LESSON. What is the subject of this Lesson ? 33. What is the name of the first French vowel ? Illustrate its sound. Does this vowel always have the sound just illustrated ? Upon what, does its sound depend ? Illustrate the other sound of this vowel. How many sounds, then, has this vowel ? Short sound in what English word ? Long sound in what English word ? How is the sound of short A represented in this book ? How is its long sound represented ? When has A, the short sound ? - When has A, the long sound ? QUESTIONS ON THE THIED LESSON. 35 Note to the Teacher. — The Author would respectfully recommend the following method of recitation upon the Examples of the sound of this voweL viz. : — Let the teacher write these words singly, or other- wise, on the black-board, as he may think best ; and then call upon the pupils by turns, in the first place, to take the chalk and mark off the syllable or syllables of each word with short lines, thus — A|ba|ca| ; and secondly, pronounce them carefully and distinctly as given in the second column, thus ; A-ba-ka. Thirdly, let the pupil give the English of each word, thus; — Manilla Hemp. 1. Mark off the syllables; 2. Care- ful and distinct pronunciation; 3. The meaning in English. Do not allow the pupils to pass from one series of examples to another, till you are satisfied the correct pronunciation is thoroughly obtained. Under what accent, is this vowel sometimes found ? Is its sound materially affected thereby ? Go to the black-board, and write a French word, in which A receives the Grave accent. 34. Under what other accent, is A found ? What is the difference between the sound of A unaccented, and A ? What is the position of the mouth, when pronouncing A ? What is the name of A ? Illustrate its sound. Exercise upon these Examples according to the directions in the note to the Teacher, in Section 33. 35. What is the name of the second vowel ? Illustrate its sound. Why does any particular importance attach to the sound of this vowel ? In how many different ways, is this vowel used ? How many different names has it ? Recite these names in their order. 36 QUESTIONS ON THE THIRD LESSON. 36. When is E silent ? Exercise upon these Examples according to the directions in the note to the Teacher, in Section 33. Go to the black-board, and write those three French words, in which the E is also silent. "Write also the other three French words, in which the middle E is silent. Write a word in which both E's are silent. Before what other vowels is the E ordinarily silent ? Write on the black-board the two examples given. 3*1. What does the proper utterance of the unaccented E characterise ? Do French people actually speak faster than other people ? Why does it appear to us as if they did ? Pronounce the name of E mute or unaccented. Illustrate its sound. What is the E mute or unaccented ? Is it an easy or difficult matter to illustrate the sound of E mute or unaccented by the aid of English letters ? How may it be acquired ? Let the Teacher go to the black-board, and write under each other the words CE, DE, JE, LE, ME, NE, SE, TE and QUE ; then ask each pupil to pronounce each word according to the directions, explaining the sound at the same time. Practice them patiently and thoroughly, unti convinced the correct sound is acquired. Pronounce the English word THE, in such a manner as to convey the correct sound of E mute or unaccented. Looking to the last illustration of the correct pronun- ciation of this vowel, on what, is it based ? Repeat the remaining directions of this last Rule. QUESTIONS ON THE THIED LESSON. 37 What advice is there given for practising upon this rule ? 38. Give the name of E, under an Acute accent. Illustrate its sound. Exercise upon these Examples according to the directions in the note to the Teacher, in Section 33. 39. Give the name of E, under a Grave accent. Illustrate its sound. Exercise upon these Examples according to the directions in the note to the Teacher, in Section 33. 40. Give the name of E, under a Circumflex accent. Illustrate its sound. Exercise upon these Examples according to the directions in the note to the Teacher, in Section 33. 38 LESSON IV. Lesson IV. Name and Sound of the Vowels. (Continued.) 41. I i. Name. Sound. EE ee. Like the letters EE, in the English word SEE. This vowel receives but one kind of accent, and that is, the Circumflex, viz. : — 1 i ; though comparatively, it is seldom found thus accented. This vowel has two sounds, viz., — long and short : — long, as EE, in the English word SEE ; and short, like I in the English word PIN, or nearly like it. It becomes nasal, in combination with the letters M and N; in which case, the character of its own sound is completely changed, which is indeed true of all the vowels. In this book, the vowel I i, will be represented by the two letters EE, when long and under the Circumflex ac- cent, and by E, when it has the short sound. French. Cire Dire Dit II Iris Lime EXAMPLES. Pronunciation. English. Seer Wax. Deer To say. Pee Said. Eel He. Ee-ris Iris. Leem File. NAME AND SOUND OF THE VOWELS. 39 French. Pronunciation. English. Liquide Lee-kid Liquid. Lire Leer To read. Lit Lee Bed. Mille Meel Thousand. Qui Kee WJw. Kite Reet (trill the r.) Rite. 42. I i Circumflex. Name. Sound. EE ee. Like the letters EE, in the English word SEE ; sound prolonged. EXAMPLES. French. Pronunciation. English. Abime A-beeni Abyss. Assit A-see Might assist Battit Ba-tee Might beat. Dime Deem Tenth. Diner Dee-nay To dine. Epitre Ay-peetr' Epistle. Finit Fe-nee Might finish. Gite Zheet Lodging-place. lie Eel Island. Mit Mee Might place. 40 LESSON IV. 43. o. Name. Sound. O o. Like the letter O, in the English word ROB. This vowel also receives but one kind of accent, which is the Circumflex, viz., 6 6. Without and with this accent, this vowel has in reality but one sound, viz., like in the word ROB ; though, when it is accented, thus, 6 6, the former sound becomes broader and prolonged. When final, it usually has the prolonged sound. French. Pronunciation. English. Bloc Blok Block. Bodine Bo-deen Keel. Botte Bot Boot. Corde Kord Cord. Corridor Ko-ree-dor Gallery. Crosse Kross Crosier. Gobelet Gob'-lay Cup. Locale Lo-kal Local. Mode Mod Fashion. Morale Mo-ral Moral. Mot Mo (long o) Word. Repos R'-pO Gong o) . Best. NAME AND SOUND OF THE VOWELS. 41 44. 6 6. Name. Sound. O O. Like the letter O, in the English word KOBE. EXAMPLES. French. Pronunciation. English. Cote Kote Hill. Depot Day-po Storehouse. Dome Dome Dome. Drole Drole (trill the r) Rogue, Notre Notr' Ours. Pole Pole Pole. Prevot Pray-vo Provost. Kole Kole Part. Koti Ko-tee (trill the r) Poast-meat. Tot To Soon. Trone Trone Throne. Votre Votr' Yours. 45. U u. The sound of this vowel is peculiar, and very difficult for foreigners to obtain. We have no sound in the English language, exactly like it. The nearest approach to it, is the sound of TJ in the last syllable in the English word Pica- tune, when pronounced with the lips drawn forward, as if to whistle. 4* 42 LESSON IV. For instance ; pronounce the word Picayune in the most natural manner you can • now pronounce the last syllable of this word with the lips drawn forward and nearly closed. Do you not perceive a difference in the sound, when produced in this latter manner, from that,, produced in speaking the last syllable naturally ? The sound pro- duced with the lips drawn forward and nearly together, embraces the correct sound of the most difficult of all sounds — to the American at least — the sound of the French U u. Let us now take away from the sound of the syllable yune, the sounds of all the letters except that of XJ- u, viz. : pronounce first, YUNE, then pronounce XJNE ; and, finally, pronounce U with the lips nearly closed and drawn forward. This last, is the sound of the vowel we want to acquire. It must be acknowledged, however, that the English let- ter XJ, does not represent the correct sound of the French XJ, which is a combination of sounds not recognized in our language. Still, we must use it as the representative of the sound of the French U, for the want of a better one. The author has frequently made use of the following rule, with almost uniform success, when understood and thoroughly practised by his pupils, viz. : — The sound of the French XJ, is based upon that of En- glish E. Pronounce the English letter E as naturally as possible, observing at the same time, the position of the internal organs of the mouth. Now keep these organs in the same position as nearly as possible ; protrude the lips as if to whistle, drawing them nearly together at the same time, and then try to pronounce the English E again, which will give you the correct sound of the French XJ. NAME AND SOUND OF THE VOWELS. 43 Practise often ALOUD, according to the directions of this Rule, and success will crown your efforts. The writer has never yet failed to impart the correct sound of the French TJ in this manner, when seconded by the patient, persevering, and DETERMINED efforts of the pupil. Name. Sound. U u. Like the letter U, in the YUNE. English word PICA- EXAMPLES. French. But Pronunciation. Bu English. Aim. Elu Ay-lu Elect. Justice Zhus-teess Justice. Lune Lune Moon. Nature Na-ture Nature Plus Flu More. Tribu Tre-bu Tribe. Tribune Tre-bune Gallery. Une Une One. Unite Urne U-nee-tay Urne Unity. Urn. Vertu Ver-tu Virtue. M LESSON" IV. 46. U u Circumflex. Name. Sound. U u. Like the letter U, in the English word PICA- YUNE, — sound prolonged. EXAMPLES. French. Pronunciation. English. Buche Bush Log of wood. Brulable Bru-labr That is to be burnt. Brulot Bru-lo Fireship. Bruler Bru-lay To burn. Cm Km Growth. m Du Due. Flute Flute Flute. Fiit Fu A cash Mure Mure Ripe. Surete Sur-tay Safety. Sur Sure Certain. 41. Y % Name. Sound. EE ee. Like the letters EE, in the English word BEE. This letter is also a word; that is, it is one of the parts of speech in the French language. It is usually an Adverb, meaning, there. It is also used as a Noun, and a Pronoun. When Y stands alone, and thus becomes a word, its NAME AND SOUND OF THE VOWELS. 45 pronunciation is invariably like that of the letters EE in the English word BEE, viz. : — II y a — pronounced Eel ee a: this last A must be sounded like A, in the English word FAT. Y, is also pronounced like the letters EE in the English word BEE, when it BEGINS or ENDS a word ; and, also, when it occurs in the body of a word, after a Con- sonant, viz. : — French. Pronunciation. English. Dej Da-ee or Da-y Dey. Style Steel Style. Systeme Seess-taim System. Yole Ee-ol or E-ol A yawl. Whenever Y is found in the body of a word, between two vowels, it has the sound of two French Ps, that is, of two double e's, viz. : — MO YEN, should be pronounced as if printed thus, viz. : Moiien ; divided thus, viz. : Moi-i-en, but pro- nounced in two syllables, viz. : Moi-ien. JOYEUX, should be pronounced as if printed thus, viz. : Joiieux ; divided thus, viz. : Joi-i-eux, but pronounced in two syllables, viz. : Joi-ieux ROYAUME, should be pronounced as if printed thus, viz. : Roiiaume ; divided thus, viz. : Roi-i-aume, but pronounced in two syllables, viz. : Roi- IAUME. The pupil need not attempt to pronounce these three French words used as examples, because the combination 46 QUESTIONS ON THE FOURTH LESSON. of vowels and other letters occurring in them, have not yet been illustrated. The teacher will pronounce and explain their sounds. The pronunciation of Y with these and other combinations of letters will be explained in other lessons. In the two following words, the Y, though not placed be- tween two vowels, is under the same Rule, viz. : — PAYS, meaning — a country, should be pronounced as if printed Pahs ; divided thus, viz. : Pai-is, and pronounced PA-EE. PAYSAG-E, meaning, a landscape, should be pronounced as if printed Paiisage ; divided thus, viz. : Pai-i-sage, and pronounced PA-EE-ZAZH. The teacher can explain these examples more at length, though this subject will be referred to again, after the sounds of the Compound Yowels, Diphthongs, and Nasals have been illustrated. QUESTIONS ON THE FOURTH LESSON. 41. What is the subject of this lesson ? What is the name of the third vowel ? Illustrate its sound. What accent does I receive ? How many different sounds does this vowel have ? Explain and illustrate its long sound. Explain and illustrate its short sound. Combination with what letters, totally changes the char- acter of its sound ? QUESTIONS ON THE FOURTH LESSON. 47 What exception is here spoken of? Exercise on these Examples, according to the directions in the Dote to the Teacher, in Section 33. 42. Give the name of 1 Circumflex. Illustrate its sound. Exercise on these Examples, according to the directions in the note to the Teacher, in Section 33. 43. Give the name of the fourth vowel. Illustrate its sound. Which of the accents does receive ? When is final, what sound has it usually ? Exercise on these Examples, according to the directions in the note to the Teacher, in Section 33. 44. Give the name of 6 Circumflex. Illustrate its sound. Exercise on these Examples, according to the directions in the note to the Teacher, in Section 33. 45 What is peculiar about the fifth vowel ? Have we in the English language any sound of a single letter, like the sound of the French U ? In the use of what letter, and in what English word, have we a very near approach to the correct sound of the French U? How, pronounced ? Repeat the rule last spoken of, for the acquirement of the correct sound of the French TJ. Give the name of this vowel. Illustrate its sound. Exercise on these Examples according to the directions in the note to the Teacher, in Section 33. 48 QUESTIONS ON THE FOURTH LESSON. 46. Give the name of U Circumflex. Illustrate its sound. Exercise on these Examples according to the directions in the note to the Teacher, in Section 33. 4T. Give the name of Y. Illustrate its sound. What is it, besides being used as a single letter ? As what parts of speech is it used ? Whenever Y stands alone, how is it pronounced ? Let the Teacher write the sentence used as an Example, and then send the Pupil to the black-board to read and pronounce it. When Y begins or ends a word, or occurs in the body of a word after a Consonant, how is it pronounced ? Exercise on these Examples, according to the directions in the note to the Teacher, in Section 33. How is Y pronounced when found in the body of a word ? Let the Teacher write these three words used as Examples, on the black-board ; then, ask each Pupil to write, after each one the same words, substituting the proper letters in place of the Y, and to divide them into syllables as shown in the text. Is Y ever under the same rule, when not placed between two vowels ? Give Examples and illustrate on the black-board. CONSONANTS. 49 Lesson V, Consonants. As a general rule, none of the Consonants when FINAL, have a distinct and independent sound, unless immediately followed by a word commencing with a vowel or H mute ; in which case, the Consonant is joined with the next follow- ing word in pronunciation. 48. B b. In any position within a word, this letter has the sound of the English letter B. When doubled within a word, only one B is sounded, viz. : — French. Abbesse Pronunciation. A-bess English. Abbess. Rabbi Ra-bee Rabbi. Sabbat Sa-bah Sabbath. At the end of Proper Names, B is always sounded. In these two words, viz. : A-plomb, and plomb, the B is silent, and the next two preceding letters in each word, viz. : OM, take the Nasal sound of ON 50 LESSON V. 49. c. This letter has two entirely distinct sounds, viz. : — hard and soft. Before the vowels A, G, U, and (E, and also before the Consonants C, L, N" and R, it has the hard sound of the letter K, in the English word KILL, viz. : — French. Pronunciation. English. Calamite Ka-la-me-tay Calamity. Comite Ko-me-tay Committee. Cube Kube Cube. Coeur Kuhlrr Heart. Succes Suk-sai Success. Classe Klahss Class. Cnique Kneek Horse-tliistle. Credit Kray-de Credit. But before E, I and Y, and also with a Cedilla before A, and N, it has the soft sound of the letter S in the English word SEA. viz. : — French. Pronunciation. English. Cedre Saidr' Cedar. Cinq Sanhlk Five. Cycle SeekF Cycle. Facade Fa-sad Front. Facon Fa-sonh! Fashion. Kecu K'-su Receipt. CONSONANTS 51 When FINAL, and not preceded by the letter N, C is generally sounded like the letter K, in the English word BOOK, viz. :■— • French. Pronunciation. English. Avec A-vek With, Bee Baik Beak. Caduc Ka-duke Declining. Echec Ay-shek Check. In a few words, however, C final is not sounded ; and these exceptions are best found out by consulting a French Dictionary. In a few words, C has the sound of the letter Gr in the English word GO, viz. : — Second : Secondaire : Secondairement : Seconde : Secondement : Seconder : Secondine. In these words, the C which commences the second syllable, has the sound of G-, viz. : Second — -as if printed Segond : pronounced S'-gonh ! &c. I do not illustrate all the sounds of these French words here, because of the Nasal sounds contained in them. The Teacher can ex- plain it now, if thought best. 50. D d. This letter, generally, has the sound of the letter D in the English word DEED. It is usually silent when final, ex- cept in Proper Names. The principal exception to the above Rule, is when D is final just before a Noun which commences with a To we] or an H mute. In such a case, the D has the sound of the letter T in the English word TOP ; and in pronunciation, is joined with the following word, as if it were its first let- 52 LESSON" V. ter, as will be seen in the two examples which follow, viz. : — UN GRAND ACTEUR, as if printed Un grant acteur. UN GRAND HOMME, " Un grant homme. In another instance, D has also the sound of T, viz. : at the end of the third person singular of the indicative mood of Verbs, when followed by the Pronouns IL, ELLE or ON. In these cases, the D has the sound of the English T, and is joined to the following word in pro- nunciation, as if it were that word's first letter, viz. : — ENTEND-IL ? as if printed Entent-il ? COUD-ELLE BIEN ? " Cout-elle bien ? YEND-IL? " Yent-il? REPOND-ON AINSI ? " Repont-on ainsi ? 51. F f. In the commencement and body of words, this letter is usually pronounced as the letter F in the English word FOR. It is sometimes sounded also, in the end of words. There are several exceptions however, which are best found in the French Dictionary. In the French word Neuf, which means Nine, the F is silent when it precedes a word commencing with a Consonant, viz. : NEUF LIS — nine lilies, is pronounced as if printed — Neu lis. But the striking peculiarity of this letter consists in the fact, that it receives the sound of the letter Y in the En- glish word VOW, before another word commencing with a Vowel or H mute ; and is joined with this word in pronun- ciation, as if it were its first letter, viz : — CONSONANTS. 53 French. INTeuf animaux Neuf enfans Neuf hommes Pronunciation. English. INeuv vanimaux Nine animals. Neuv venfans Nine children. Neuv vommes Nine men. 52. Gg. Before the Towels A, O and IT, and the Consonants D, H, L, M and R in the commencement of French words, G has the hard sound of the letter G in the English word GOT, viz. :— French. Pronunciation. English. Gateau Gah-to A Cake. Gosier Go-zeay Tliroat. Aigu Ay-gu Acute. Magdebourg Mag-d'boor Magdeburg. Globe Glob Globe. Augment Og-manh!^ Increase. Grappe Grap Cluster. G, final of the word BOURG, a market-place, takes the sound of the English K. This word is pronounced BOORK. Names of Towns ending in BOURG, drop the final G — i. e. the G is silent, viz. : — ATJGSBOURG COBOURG pronounced Ogz-boor. Ko-boor, &c, &c. In the following French words, the initial G has the sound of the letter K in the English word KEEL, viz. : — 5* 54 LESSON V. Gangrene Gangrener Gangrene Gangreneu Gangreneux if printed a Kangrene. Kangrener. Kangrene. Kangreneu. Kangreneux. No rule can be given for this peculiarity in pronuncia- tion, except the Rule of Custom. It is believed the above five words are the only ones in the French language, concerning which, this peculiar pronunciation obtains. Before the Yowels E, I and W, the letter G has the soft sound of the letters ZH, viz. : — French. Age Pronunciation. Ah-zhay English. Aged. Conge Konhlzhay Holiday. Gilet Zhe-lay Waistcoat Gigot Zhe-go Leg of Mutton Gymnase Zheem-nahz Gymnasium. G final, before a Yowel or an H mute, takes the sound of English K, and is connected with the following word in pronunciation, as if it belonged to that word, viz. : — HANG HONORABLE as if printed Rank honorable. SANG ET EAU " Sank et eau. SANG HUMAIN " Sank humain. G final, before a word commencing with a Consonant or an aspirated H, is, in most French words, silent, viz. : — RANG NOBLE is pronounced Ranh! nobl'. Double G has the sound of only a single G, except before the Vowels E and I ; in which case, the first G is hard like CONSONANTS. 55 G in the English word GO, and the second G has a soft sound represented by the two letters ZH, viz. : — STTGGERER is pronounced Su-zhay-ray, &c, &c. 53. H. This letter is used in the French language, in two ways, usually styled Mute and Aspirate — a definition per- fectly intelligible to natives of France, but not equally so to others, that is, to foreigners. Let me explain. When we say H is Mute, every one knows what is meant. But when we say H is Aspirate in the French language, we do not mean, that it ever has the same sound as H in the English words Have, High, Hold and Hull, that is, a forcible breathing, or emission of the voice at the com- mencement of a word. There seems to be a misapprehen- sion of this matter with many writers [and teachers, not natives of France. It is believed that the true theory is this, viz., the French never sound the H. It is with them, virtually, always mute. But besides being mute, it has a particular duty to do — so to speak. But when we say H is Aspirate, we only mean, that the Yowel immediately following it, partakes so much of the property of a Con- sonant, as to prevent elision with the preceding vowel. The following examples will illustrate our meaning very clearly, viz. : — First, of the H Mute. HABIT is pronounced A-be. HOMME " Om, &c, just the same as if printed — Abit and Omme ; in these words there is no sound whatever of the H. 56 LESSON v. Secondly, of the H Aspirate. HEROS is pronounced Ay-ro ; not Hay-ro, as an American would pronounce it, with a strong guttural articulation. But to add to the force and office of the Aspirate H, in the word HEROS, let the Article LE, be placed before it, thus : Le Heros. Now, if the H were Mute, these two words would become one in pronunciation, viz. : — Leros. The H, not being Mute in this word Heros, but Aspirate, what is its office ? It enables the following letter E to prevent elision with the E of the word preceding it ; and consequently, the two words must be pronounced, as if printed Le-e-ros. Thus it will be seen, that one particular use of the aspirated H, is to prevent elision of the two Vowels be- tween which, it may chance to be placed, in being the initial of a word. H aspirate, is best determined by con- sulting a Erench Dictionary, because no particular and definite Rule can be given, for distinguishing it from H mute. It must be granted, that this whole matter is now considered debatable ground among Orthoepists. One side affirms, that the H aspirate, is never sounded, any more than H mute is, but only serves the sole pur- pose of preventing elision. The other side affirms, that the aspiration is very slight, which, in common conver- sation, amounts to nothing, but is barely observable only in serious reading, and the use of devotional language. One thing, however, is quite certain : — that a native Frenchman, never aspirates the H of his own language, as we do in pronouncing the words Have, High, Hold and Hull. CONSONANTS. 57 54. Jj. This letter, has the sound of the two English letters ZH. In the two English words — glazier and azure — the Z has the sound of ZH, viz. : — glazhier and azhure. French. Jalon Pronunciation. Zha-lonh! English. Beacon. Jamais Zha-may Always Jet Zhay Stream. Joujou Zhoo-zhoo A Toy. 55. K k. This letter, has the sound of the English K, in all situa- tions. 56. LI. This letter, has the sound of the English L, in nearly all situations, except when used with the Towel I, as a Liquid. In a few words, L final is silent. The Dictionary will best determine which these are. 57. Mm. When initial, the letter M has only the sound of En- glish M. It is used in Kasal combinations like the fol- lowing, viz. : — am in 11m and em om ym in old French ; — which sounds will be illustrated at the proper place. It is also silent, in the body of some words. Refer to the Dic- tionary to determine when. 58 LESSON V. 58. N n. When initial, the letter N, has only the sound of English N. It is used in Nasal combinations mostly, viz : — an in un and en on yn in old French which sounds will be illustrated in the proper place. After M and N in the end of words, final consonants are usually silent, yiz. : — Prends as if printed Pren, and pronounced Pranh! Romps " Rom, " Ronh! Temps " Tern, " Tanh! "When N is final before another word beginning with a Yowel or H mute, it requires, besides being pronounced with a Nasal sound, that another N should be added in pronunciation to the beginning of the next word, viz : — ANCIEN AMI as if printed Ancien Nami. BON HOMME " Bon Nomme. MON AME " Mon Name. MON INTIME AMI " Mon-Nin-ti-Ma-mi. 59. P p. When initial, and in the body of words, P is usually sounded ; and then, it has the sound of English P. When final, it is generally silent. Exceptions will best be found out, by consulting a French Dictionary. 60. Q q. Q, is pronounced like English K. C0XS0XAXT8. 59 61. R r. The sound of this letter is somewhat peculiar, having a rolling or jarring sound, produced by vibrating the tip of the tongue against the roof of the mouth, near the upper front teeth. It is never sounded in the French words MESSIEURS and MONSIEUR, Its sound in other respects, is that of English R, It is often dropped, or nearly so, in thebody of a word, but espe- cially in the last syllable, in common conversation, viz. : — X6tre as if printed Kotr'. Votre " Y6tr\ But in solemn and dignified reading or speaking, it is sounded, very distinctly (when at all) with the rolling sound. 62. S s. S, has two distinct sounds, which are determined by its position, viz : — the sharp hissing sound of S, in the English words DISSEVER and KISS ; and the soft sound of S, in the English word XOSE, equivalent to the English let- ter Z. It has the sharp and hissing sound, whenever it is initial. It has the soft sound, whenever it occurs between two Towels, viz. French. Pronunciation. English. Baptiser Ba-tee-zay To baptize. Baser Bah-zay To base (upon). Choisir ShVali-zeer To choose. Desordre Day-zordr Disorder. 1 .. . .. . 60 LESSON" V. French. Pronunciation. English. Desobeir Day-zo-bay-eer To disobey. Maison May-zonh! A house. Saisir Say-zeer To seize. There are, however, a few exceptions to the above Rule. S final, before another word commencing with a Vowel or H Mute, has the sound of English Z, and is connected with the following word in pronunciation, as if it were its first letter, viz. :— APRES AVOIR DINE— as if printed— Apre zavoirdine. DIS A MON FRERE DE VENIR— as if printed— Di za MON FRERE DE VENIR. PAS EXCUSABLE— as if printed- —Pa zexcusable. VOUS AVEZ— is if printed — Vou 5 5AVEZ. VOTJS ETONNES ?— as if printed- -VOU ZETONNES ? S final, under viz. : — other circumstances, is usually silent, French. Pronunciation. English. Avis A-vee Advertisement Des Dai From. Divers De-vayr Various. Jacques Zhahk James. Judas Zhu-da Judas. Legs Lay Legacy. Os Oh Bone. Remords R'-mor Remorse. Tamis Ta-mee A sieve. Thomas To-mah Thomas. Vous Voo You. CONSONANTS. 61 In a few words, S final, is sounded. Refer to the Dic- tionary for these. 63. T t. T, when initial, or in the body of a ivord, is usually pro- nounced like English T. Sometimes, however, both in the body, and in the last syllable of words, it has the sound of English S, in the word SEE, viz. : — ■ French. Pronunciation. English. Caution Ko-seonh! Caution. Deniocratie Day-rno-kr ay-see Democracy. Ineptie E-nayp-see(first syii. short) Folly. Inertie E-nayr-see(firstsyii. short) Inactivity. Minutie Me-rm-see Trifle. Patience Pa-seanh!s Patience. Primatie Pre-ma-see Primacy. Prophetie Pro-fay-see Prophecy. Satiete Sa-seay-tay Satiety. In a few other words, the T in the last syllable of tie, tie and tier, has the common sound of English T. Refer to the French Dictionary for their pronunciation. T final, is usually silent, and is seldom carried to the next word in pronunciation. 64. Y v. In all situations, V has the sound of English Y. 65. W w. W, is not properly a French letter. It is not found in the French Alphabet, though it is sometimes used in foreign 62 LESSON V. words, names of persons, places and things. When thus used, it has the sound of our English Y. The proper name NEWTON, however, is printed in French— NEUTON ; and, with the exception of the last syllable which has the Nasal sound, the pronunciation of the whole word, does not differ from its English pronunciation. 66. X x. This letter, has different sounds in the French language, just as it has in the English. It has five different sounds, viz. : — 1. Like the English letter K in the following words, viz. : — French. Pronunciation. English. Exces Ek-sai Excess. Exception Ek-sep-seonh! Exception. Excite Ek-see-tay Excited. 2. Like the English letters KS, in the following words, viz. French. Axe Axiome Axiom etre Expedier Expriiner Extase Extrait Luxe Pronunciation. Ak-s Ak-se-ome Ak-see-o-maitr' Eks-pay-deay Eks-pre-may Eks-tahz Eks-tray Lllks (short u) English. Axis. Axiom. Tell-tale (Naval term). To dispatch. To press out. Rapture. Extract. Irnxury. CONSONANTS. 63 EX, before a Consonant, have the sound of EKS, as in the foregoing examples. 3. Like the English letters GZ, in the following words, viz. ; — French. Pronunciation. English. Exacte Eg-zakt Correct. Exagerer Eg-za-zhay-ray To exaggerate. Exalter Eg-zal-tay To he excited. Execrable Eg-zay-krabl' Execrable. Exode Eg-zod Exodus. Exorde Eg-zord Beginning. 4. Like English SS in the following j words, viz. : — French. Pronunciation. English. Dix Deess Ten, Six Seess Six. Soixante SVah!s-sanli!t Sixty. 5. Like English Z, in the following words, viz. : — French. Pronunciation English. Deuxieme Dubl-zee-aim Second. Dix-liuit Dee-zweet Eigliteen, Dixieme Dee-zee-aim Tenth. X final, is silent in many words, except Proper Xames. X final, when carried to the next word in pronunciation, has the sound of English Z, viz. : — AUX HOMMES as if printed AUZ HOMMES. DOUX ET DOUZ ET. JALOUX ET JALOUZ ET. YOIX EN Yoiz EX. 64 QUESTIONS ON THE FIFTH LESSON. 6?. Z Z. Z, is usually sounded like English Z. 7i final, before a word commencing with a Consonant is silent. Z ^/ma/, before a word commencing with a Yowel or H mute, is carried to the next word in pronunciation, as if it were its first letter, viz. : — ESSAYEZ EN as if printed Essaye-zen. LAISSEZ IJN " Laisse-zun. SONGEZ A " Sonoma, &c. QUESTIONS ON THE FIFTH LESSON. What is the general Rule about the pronunciation of final Consonants ? 48. What is the sound of B ? W^hat, if B be doubled ? Exercise on these Examples, according to the directions in the note to the Teacher, in Section 33. How, in the end of Proper Names ? Write on the black-board the two French words given, in which the B is silent. What kind of a sound do the two letters next preceding the B in those words, have ? What is a Nasal sound ? QUESTIONS ON THE FIFTH LESSON. 66 49. How many distinct sounds lias the Consonant C ? Before what Towels, Diphthong, and Consonants, has C a hard sound ? Illustrate this sound. Exercise on these Examples, according to the directions in the note to the Teacher, in Section 33. Before what Towels, and when used with a Cedilla, be- fore what other vowels, has a soft sound ? Illustrate this sound. Exercise on these Examples, according to the directions in the note to the Teacher, in Section 33. When has C the sound of K, in the English word BOOK? Exercise on these Examples, according to the directions in the note to the Teacher, in Section 33. Is C final, sometimes not sounded ? Write a French word to illustrate this, on the black- board. What other sound has C sometimes ? Write the French words given as examples, with the Gr in the proper place. 50. What is the common sound of D ? Illustrate it. What is the sound of D final, before a word commencing with a Towel or an H mute ? Illustrate it. Here the Teacher may write the Examples given, on the black-board, then request the Pupil to -write after each Example — how it would be if printed according to sound — and how pronounced. When has D the sound of English T ? Illustrate from the examples given, according to the direc- tions of the last note to the Teacher. 6* 66 QUESTIONS ON THE FIFTH LESSON. 51. What is the usual sound of F ? By what Rule are the exceptions in the pronunciation of this letter determined ? Illustrate the pronunciation of F in the French word NEUF, in the example given. What, however, is the striking peculiarity in the pronun- ciation of this letter F ? When does it receive the sound of the English letter y? Illustrate on the black-board from the examples given. 52. Before what Yowels and Consonants has G the hard sound of Gr in the English word GO ? Exercise on these Examples, according to the directions in the note to the Teacher, in Section 33. What sound has Gr final, in the French word BOTJRG ? When is the Gr final, silent ? Write on the black-board those five French words in which Gr has the sound of English K. What Rule can be given for this peculiarity of sound ? Before what Yowels, has Gr a soft sound ? What English letters represent this soft sound ? Exercise on these Examples, according to the directions in the note to the Teacher, in Section 33. What sound has Gr final, before a vowel or H mute ? How connected, then, in pronunciation ? Illustrate by the examples given, on the black-board. How, when final before a word commencing with a Conso- nant or an Aspirated H ? Illustrate. What can you say of the sound of double G ? Illustrate. QUESTIONS ON THE FIFTH LESSON. 67 53. What names are given to the French H ? What is meant when we say H is mute ? What is meant by H aspirate ? Write a Trench word with H mute, and illustrate its pronunciation ? Write another French word containing an H aspirated, with an Article before it, and illustrate the pronunciation of both. What, then, seems to be one distinct office of the H aspirate ? 54. What sound has the letter J ? Illustrate from the two English words given. Exercise on these Examples, according to the directions in the note to the Teacher, in Section 33. 55. What sound has the letter K ? 56. What sound has the letter L ? 5t. When initial, what sound has the letter M ? 58. When initial, what sound has the letter N" ? What are silent after M and N ? Illustrate by the examples given. When must another N be added in pronunciation ? Exercise on these Examples, according to the directions in the note to the Teacher, in Section 33. 59. What sound has the letter P ? 60. What sound has the letter Q ? 61. What peculiar sound has the letter R ? How produced ? 68 QUESTIONS ON THE FIFTH LESSON. Write on the black-board those two French words in which the It is never sounded. When is it dropped, or nearly so ? Illustrate on the black-board. How, in solemn and dignified reading ? 62. How many distinct sounds has the letter S ? How determined ? Describe these two different sounds. When has it the sharp and hissing sound ? When has it the soft sound ? Exercise on these Examples, according to the directions in the note to the Teacher, in Section 33. What sound has S final before a word commencing with a Yowel or H mute ? Exercise on these Examples, according to the directions in the note to the Teacher, in Section 33. How connected ? Under other circumstances how disposed of ? Exercise on these Examples, according to the directions in the note to the Teacher, in Section 33. 63. What is the usual pronunciation of T ? How pronounced when TI occur together in the body and last syllable of words ? Exercise on these Examples, according to the directions in the note to the Teacher, in Section 33. What other sound has T in syllables ending with tie, tie, and tier ? 64. Pronunciation of Y ? 65. Pronunciation of W ? Write the English Proper Name— NEWTON— as the French do. QUESTIONS ON THE FIFTH LESSON. 69 What sound has the last syllable of this word ? 66. How many different ways of pronouncing X ? "Write a French word in which X has the sound of En- glish K, and illustrate its pronunciation. Write a French word in which X has the sound of the English letters KS, and illustrate its pronunciation. What sound, then, have EX, before a Consonant ? Write a French word in which X has the sound of the English letters GZ, and illustrate its pronunciation. What sound, then, have EX before a Yowel ? Write a French word in which X has the sound of the English letters SS, and illustrate its pronunciation. Write a French word in which X has the sound of the English letter Z, and illustrate its pronunciation. When is X final, silent ? What sound has X final, when carried to the next word in pronunciation ? Exercise on these Examples, according to the directions in the note to the Teacher, in Section 33. 67. Usual pronunciation of Z ? Sound of Z final, before a word commencing with a Con- sonant ? What is done with Z final f before a word commencing with a Yowel or H mute ? Exercise on these Examples, according to the directions in the uote to the Teacher, in Section 33. 70 LESSON VI. Lesson VI. Compound Voweli 68. There are Seven Compound Towels, viz. : — AI AU EAU EI EU 01 and OU, whose different sounds we now proceed to illustrate. AI. Name. Sound. AY. Like the letters AY, in the English word DAY. French. Ai Pronunciation. Ay English. Have. Aimer Aurait Ay-may O-ray To love. Would have. Connais Ko-nay Knoio. Dirai Fait De-ray Fay To say. Fact. When the last letter I of the Compound Yowel AI, is under the Circumflex Accent, thus — AI — the character of its sound, is not materially changed from that illustrated above ; — it is merely prolonged. COMPOUND VOWELS. 71 ATT. Name. Sound. 0. Like the letter 0, in the English word NO. French. Pronunciation. English. Aupres O-prai Near. Aussi O-see Also. Faute Fote Fault. Fraude Frode Fraud. Gauche Geshe Leftrliand. Pauvre Povr'(iong o) Poor. Rauque Eoke Hoarse. Saut So EAU Jump. Name. Sound. 0. Like the letter 0, in the English word NO. French. Pronunciation. English. Bateau Ba-to Boat. Chapeau Sha-po Hat. Beau Bo Fine. Cadeau Ka-do Gift. Eau Water. Gateau Gah-to CaTee. Nouveau Noo-vo JVew. Organeau Or-ga-no Iron ring. Troupeau Troo-po Herd. 72 LESSON VI. EL Name. Sound. AY. Like the letters AY, in the English word DAY. French. Pronunciation. English. Cheik Shayk Sheik. Eider Ay-dair Eider-duck. Meistre Maystr' Mainmast. Neige Nayzh Snow. Peine Payn Pain. Heine Kayn Queen. Seine Sayn Dragnet. Sereine S'rayn Placid. Treize Trayz Thirteen. Veine Vayn Vein of marble. When E and I stand together , and the E is accented thus — EI — they are no longer a Compound Yowel ; — but each letter has its own distinct Yowel sound. EU. Name. Sound. UH ! Like the E Mute or unaccented, which has been already explained, except when it is a Yerb, or com- mences a verb ; in which latter case, it has the sound of French TJ, which also has been explained. French. Pronunciation. English. Demeure D'muhJr Residence. Eux Uh! Them. Fleur Fluhlr Blossom. COMPOUND VOWELS. 73 French. Heureux Heure Jeime Leur Milieu Peuple Pleuvait Plusieurs Veuve Pronunciation. Uh!-ruh! Uh!r Zhuhhi Luh!r Me-le-uh! Puhlpl' Pluh!-vay Plu-ze-un!r Vuhv! English. Happy, Hour. Young. Their. Middle. People, To rain. Many. Widow. Sometimes the U of this combination, is under a Cir- cumflex Accent, thus — EU — in which case the sound of the Compound Towel is prolonged. The correct sound of this Compound Yowel is no more difficult to be acquired, than is the correct sound of E Mute or unaccented. But it often happens that the letter or combination of letters which immediately follows it, adds vastly to the difficulty of pronouncing it. Bring the lips nearly together ovally, in speaking this Compound Yowel. Practice patiently and thoroughly upon the above and other Examples, until you are satisfied you have mastered the difficulty. 01. Name. Sound. OAH or WAH. Like the letters QAH, c Proper Name NOAH Do not give this Compound Yowel the sound of WOR. or 00- AWE, as Is too commonly done. 74 LESSON VI. French. Pronunciation. English. Ardoise Ar-doahz Slate. Auditoire O-di-toahr Assembly. Avoir A-vVahr To have. Bois BVah Wood. Desespoir Day-zes-pVahr Desperation. Histoire Is-t'wahr (trill the r) History. Manoir Ma-nVahr Manor. Noir NVahr Black. Pouvoir Poo-vVahr To be able. Eoi RVall (trill the r) OU. King. Name. Sound. 00. Like the letters 00, in the English word MOON. French. Pronunciation. English. Boule verse Bool-ver-say Distracted. Coup Koo A blow. Douche Doosh Douche or Bath. Fouet Foo-ay A ivhip. Ou Oo Where. Oublit Oo-blee Forgetfulness. Pour Poor (trill the r) For. Pourri Poo-ree Rottenness. Route Roote (trill the r) A route. Tout and Toute Toote All. COMPOUND VOWELS. 75 French. Toucher Tour. Pronunciation. Too-shay. Toore 69. Diphthongs. English. To touch. Journey. There are Six Diphthongs, viz. : — I A IE 10 IT A UE and UI : — whose sounds we now proceed to illustrate. But do not suppose that these combinations of Towels are always Diphthongs in whatever place they are situated. If followed by two Consonants, the first of which is M or jN", the last Yowel forms with the M or N, a Nasal, unless the M or N be doubled. Sometimes again, these Towels which now appear as Diphthongs, are but parts of syllables of a word, and must be pronounced only as distinct Towels IA. Name. Sound. IA. Like the sounds of the letters I in the English word FIG-, and A in the word FAT, pronounced as one syllable. The sounds of both, however, must be distinctly heard without any hiatus between them. French. Pronunciation. English. Diable Diabl' Devil. Criard Kriar Clamorous. Coriace Ko-ria-sav Tough. Fiacre Fiakr' Hackney-coach. 76 LESSOX VI. French. Pronunciation. English. Iatrique Ia-treek latrical. Piaffe Piaf Ostentation. Tiare Tiar (trill the r) Tiara. Viande Vianhld IE. Meat. Name. . Sound. EE. Like 1 ,he letters EE, ii i the English word BEE. French. Pronunciation. English. Academie A-ka-day-mee Academy. Analogie A-na-lo-zh.ee Analogy. Anomalie A-no-ma-lee Anomaly. Asie A-zee Asia. Bonhommie Bo-no-mee Good nature. Bonneterie Bo-nait'-ree Hosiery business. Come die Ko-may-dee Comedy. Confiserie Kon]i!-fiz-ree Art of making Confec- tionery. Democratie Day-mo-kra-see Democracy. Figuerie Feeg'-ree A fig-garden . Pie Pee A mag-pie. Vie Vee Life. This combination is a very common ending of words in the French language. The E, however, often bears the Acute Accent, thus — IE. These Towels also appear very often in the body of a word with the E accented. In such cases, they do not constitute a Diphthong, aud cannot be COMPOUND VOWELS. 77 illustrated by th e sound of EE in the English word BEE ; but each preserves its own distinct Towel sound 10. Zsame Sound. EO. Like the letters 10, in the last syllable of the English word CUR-CU-LIO. French. Pronunciation. English. Appro visionner A-pro-vee-zeo-nay To victual. Cautionne Ko-seo-nay A Warrantee. Denatioualiser Day-na-seo-na-le-zayTo denationalize. Mioche Meo-sh (long o) A Brat. Pioclie PeO-sll (long o) Pick-axe. Yiolon Veo-lonli! Violin. This Diphthon g retains the sound fir it illustrated, in most if not all endings ; in SIOX and TIOX UA. This Diphthong has the combined s ound of the French U, together with that of A in the English word FAT, unless the latter be under a Circumflex Accent ; in which latter case, the A has the sound of A in the English word MARK. French. Pronunciation. English. Ecu age Av-kuazli Scutage ; in Feudal Laic. Enipuanter Anh!-puanh!-tay To infect. Guano Gua-no Guano. Huarcl Uar Sea-eagle. JSTuage JSuazli Cloud. Puant Puanh! Offensive. 78 LESSON VI. Sometimes this Diphthong has the sound of A in the English word FAT, viz. : — Aiguacle Ay-gad A ivatering-place. To an American at least, the sound, of a "W is naturally suggested in the pronunciation of this Diphthong. We might illustrate its sound, by the use of a W in the above words, viz. : — Ecuage Ay-kVazh. Empuanter Anh!-pVanh!tay. Guano Gwa-no. Huard War. Nuage NVazli Puant PVanh! This last illustration, however, is not strictly correct, because it does not preserve the distinct sound of the French U ; which sound, especially in combination, many French- men themselves are not careful to preserve. In common conversation, this Diphthong sounds like an English W. In French words commencing with QUA, the Diphthong UA, has two different sounds. In some, the sound of UA would be illustrated by the letters KOUA or K'WA ; — but in others, by KA, viz. : — QUADRANGLE, is pronounced, Kouah-dranh!gl', or K'wah-dranh!gl\ QUADRATURE, a Geometrical Phrase, is pronounced, KoUAH-DRA-TURE Or K'WAH-DRA-TURE. But the same word, used as a term of horology, is pronounced, Kah-dra- ture. COMPOUND VOWELS. 79 QUAI, a wharf, is pronounced Kay. QUAICHE, a Naval term, meaning a Ketch, is pro- nounced Kaish. Until the Pupil shall become really familiar with the French language, the surest way to be correct in the use and pronunciation of words commencing with QUA, will be, to consult a Dictionary. UE. This Diphthong occurs most frequently, as the ./ma/let- ters of French words after the Consonants G- and Q ; — in which cases, both are silent. "When final, and before other Consonants, they have the usual sound of French U; examples of which will be given in the Reading Lessons. UI. This Diphthong has the combined sound of the French U, together with that of French I, which latter is like the letters EE, in the English word BEE. English. Support. Tube. MgU. Him. Wight Yes. Power. French. Pronunciation. Appui A-pui or A-puee Conduite Konh!-dVeet Huit Ueet or Weet Lui Luee or LVee Nuit Nuee or NVee Oui Ooee or Wee Puissance PVee-sanh!s Ruine Rueen or B/ween 80 LESSON VI. The ten Diphthongal Combinations of three successive vowels, in the same word, are thus divided to show their pronunciation, which will be further illustrated in the Reading Lessons, viz. : — iai l-ai ea lau i-au eo ieu i-eu euh!* oua ou-a ooah or wall oue ou-e ooay om OU-l ooe or wee uai u-ai ua or wa uei u-ei ua me u-ie uee or wee ueu u-eu uuh!* Diphthongs of four successive vowels in the same word, are thus divided for pronunciation, which latter — the pro- nunciation — will be amply illustrated in the Reading Les- sons, viz. : — ouai ou-ai oo-a oueu ou-eu oouh!* ouee ou-e ooay. TO. Nasal Yowel Sounds. ( AM and AN \ The sound of -< EM " EN >- is represented by the letters (IM " IN ) ANH 1 and is like the sound of the letters AN, in the English * Like the sound of E Mute, on page 28. NASAL TOWEL SOUNDS. 81 words AN-CHOR and CAN-KER, with an effort to speak through the nose, as it is termed. But be particular to avoid the sound of English Gr in all the Nasals. There is, strictly speaking, a real difference between the Nasal sounds of AN, EN and IN ; — but it is so slight, and so peculiarly delicate, that scarcely any one not a na- tive Frenchman, can detect and describe it intelligibly. In common reading and conversation, these Nasals above men- tioned, have but one sound, viz. : — that which has been assigned them in this work. It is considered correct enough for all practical purposes. When extraordinary nicety of pronunciation is demanded, as is always the case in using the language of prayer, and in reading in holy and devotional language, the A of the Nasals AM and AN should be pronounced broader than the E or L in the Nasals EM, EN, IM and IN. In the former case, let the A have the sound of AH ; in the latter, the sound of A in the word FAT. The sound of j °^ and I is represented by the letters ONH !, and is like the sound of the letters ON, in the English word CON-QUER, uttered with an effort to speak through the nose, as it is termed. The sound of -j UN j- is represented by the letters UNH !, and is like the sound of the letters UN, in the English word UN-CLE, uttered with an effort to speak through the nose, as it is termed. • Concerning these Nasals, remember these two General Rules, viz. : — 82 LESSON VI. i. Single M's and N's followed by Vowels, are not Nasals. When the M 11. and N are doubled the Nasality is de- stroyed. Exceptions to this last Rule, will appear in their proper places. We now proceed to illustrate these Nasal sounds. AM. French. Pronunciation. English. Ambassade Anh!-ba-sad Embassy Ambre Anhlbr' Amber. Ckainbre Shanhlbr' AN. Chamber. French. Pronunciation. English. Ancetres Anh!-saytr' Ancestors. C antique Kanh!-teek Song. Sans Sanh! Without. Quand Kanli! When. AIM, AIN and EIN have each the Nasal sound of AN, represented by ANII ! The reason will be obvious, if we but dissecl : these combinations which we now pro- ceed to do, viz :- In the first— -AIM, — A I is equivalent only to A in sound ; hence, substituting A for AI in the combination AIM, we have simply AM, whose sound has been ex- plained. NASAL VOWEL SOUNDS. 83 In the second — AIN, its sound is represented by AXH!, for the same reason. In the third — EIX. EI is equivalent only to A in sound ; hence, substituting A in the place of EI in the combination EIX, we have AN, whose sound is represented by AXH! Again — EAX and OAX have each the Xasal sound represented by the letters AXH! AEX in the Proper Xante CAEX, have also the sound of AX, represented by the letters AXH! ; hence, the word CAEX is pronounced K AXH ! French. Erablenie Eniploi Example Membrane Temps or Tern: EM. Pronunciation. English. Anh I-blaini JBh ? Rem. Anhj-ploah or plVah Employment. Eg-zanlilpl' Pattern. Manh!-bran Membrane. Tanh! Time. EX. French. Bien Cependant En chanter Encore Moment Rendezvous Sentiment Surprendre Pronunciation. English. Beeanli! (one syiL) Well. S'panh!-danh! Mean icli He. Anh!-shanh!-tay To cliarm. Anh!-kor Mo-manh! Ranh!-day-voo Sanlil-te-manh! Sur-pranbldr' Again. Moment. Appo in ted place. Sensation. To surprise. 84: LESSON VI. There are a few exceptions to the preceding illustrated pronunciation, which will be given, viz. : ENNUI :— according to the Rule II, on a preceding page, the first EN of this word would not be Nasal, bc- cause the N is doubled. In this word, however, EN is a Nasal. Ennui Anh!-nuee Tediousness. In the following words, the EN, is a Nasal, viz. :— Ennuyant Anh!-nuee-eeanh! Annoying. Ennuyeusement Anh !-nuee-eeuh ! z-manh ! Tediously. Ennuyeu Anh !-nUee-eeuh ! Tedious. Ennuyeux Anh!-nuee-eeuh! IC Ennuyeuse Anh !-nuee-eeuh !z u In the word ENNUYER, the EN is Nasal, — the same is true Of all derivatives from that word. Ennuyer Anhl-nuee-eay To annoy. There are some exceptions also to the pronunciation illustrated under the Nasal EM, on a previous page, in the following words in which the M is doubled ; but the Nasality is not destroyed, viz. : — French. Pronunciation. English. Emmagasinage Anh !-ma-ga-zee-nazh Warehousing. Emmagasiner Anh !-ma-ga-zee-nay To warehouse. Emmaigrir Anh !-may-greer To grow lean. Emmaillottement Anh !-mah-eegl-ot-manl ! Swaddling. Emmaillotter Anh !-mah-eegl-yo-tay To sivaddle. Emmanchement Anh ! -manh ! sh-manh ! Putting on a handle. Emmancher Anh !-manh !-shay To put a handle to. Emmancher Anh !-manh !-shay (S 1 ) To enter a channel. Emmancheur Anh !-manh !-sheuh !r Handle maker. NASAL VOWEL SOUNDS 85 French. Pronunciation. English. Emmancliure Anh !-manh !-shure Arm-hole. Eminannequmer Anh !-man-kee-nay To put into a basket. Enimantele Anh!-manh!t'-lay Hooded. Enimarine Anh ! -ma-re-nay Sea-hardened. Emmariner Anh !-ma-re-nay To man a shi}). Emmeler Anh!-may-lay ( s \Z s daylu ] To entangle. Emmenagement Anh !-may-nazh-manh ! Furnishing a house. E mm enagements Anh !-may-nazh-manh !s SJiip's conveniences. Emmenager Anh !-may-na-zhay To furnish a house. Emmenagogue Anh !-may-na-gog Emmenagogue. Emmener Anh !-m'nay To take away. Emmenologie Emmenotter Emmielle Emmieller Emmitoufler Emmitrer Emmortaiser Emmotte Emmuseler •%. •%. 5<< ^c To handcuff. Sweetened with honey. To sweeten with honey. - To wrap tip. To consecrate a bishop. To mortise. Banked with earth. To muzzle. Anh !-may-nol-o-zhee Anh !-m'no-tay Anh !-mea-lay Anhl-mea-lay Anh !-mee-too-flay Anh !-mee-tray Anh !-mor-tay-zay Anh!-mo-tay AnMmuz'-Iay It is believed the above list comprises nearly every word in the French language, which departs from the general rule of Nasals in EM. The following words are exceptions to the first General Rule concerning Nasals, on a previous page, viz. : — French. Pronunciation. English. Enivrant Anh!-nee-vranh! Intoxicating. Enivrement Anhl-neevr'-manh! Intoxication. Enivrer ( a tomft erived > Anh!-nee-vray To intoxicate. Enorgueillir " Anh!-or-guaygl-yeer To render proud. 86 LESSON VI. IM. French. Pronunciation. English. Imbecile Anh !-bay-sil Foolish. Impenitence Anh !-pay-ne-tanh Is Impenitence. Imperatoire Anh !-pay-ra-toahr or t'wahr Master-wort. Impossible Anh!-po-sibl' Impossible. Limbe Lanhlb Limb. Limpide Lanh!-pid Limpid. French. Pronunciation. English. Cinq Sanhlk Five. Chemin Sh'manh! Road. Fin Fanh! Mid. Ingratitude Anh!-gra-te-tude Ingratitude. Instant Anh!-stanh! Instant. Medecin Mayd'-sanh! Physician. Yin Vanh! OM. Wine. French. Pronunciation. English. Bombance Bonk!-banh!s Good living. Bombe Bonhlb Shell. Comble KonlilbP Consummation. Lombard Lonli!-bar Lombard. Nombre Nonhlbr' Number. Plomb Plonli! Lead (a metal). Trompett e Tronli!-pait Trumpet. NASAL VOWEL SOUNDS. 87 French. Bon Canton Dindon Done Long-temps Maison Mon Norn Kaison Repondit ON. Pronunciation. Bonn! Kanh!-tonh! Danh!-donh! Donh! Lonh!-tanh! May-zonh! Monh! Nonh! Bay-zonh! Ray-ponh!-dee English. Good. Canton. Turkey-cock. Then. A great while. House. Mine. Name. Reason. Replied. The French word MONSIEUR is pronounced by foreigners all sorts of ways, except the right ivay, in com- mon conversation. The author knows of no one French word so much in use by those who speak the English lan- guage, as this ; and yet pronounced so variously and incorrectly. Let us analyze this word, and, if possible, set forth its correct sound. Remember, then, that the N and R of the word MON. SIETJR are always silent ; — the N is silent by the Rule of custom, and the R is silent according to the General Rule which obtains concerning fin a I Consonants. Take out of the word the letters N and R, and we have MOSIEU. Divide it now into syllables, and we have MO and SIETT. In the first syllable, the O is short like the letter in the English word NOT, — therefore the pronun- ciation of the first syllable MO, is easily ascertained. But 88 LESSOR VI. in the second and last syllable SIEU, we have a Diphthong of three successive vowels, viz. : IEU divided thus, I-EU, but pronounced as one syllable, preserving the sounds of both divisions. The sound of I, is short like I in the En- glish word FIGr; — and the sound of EXJ is exactly like E Mute or unaccented. These are the elements of the different sounds in the French word MONSIEUR, and are thus pronounced, viz. :— MO-SIEU or MO-SIUH! Sometimes it is pronounced MOS-SIEU, but incorrectly, because the Parisian critic and scholar gives it but one S, and that, at the beginning of the second syllable. Hence it will be perceived, that it is simply ridiculous to pronounce this word Mong-seer or Mon-seeuh. The ON in this word is not a Nasal, because the N is silent. The I is not long, and cannot be illustrated by EE, but is short, as above explained. TJM. French. Pronunciation. English. Humblement Unklbl'-niaiik! Humbly. Parfum Par-funk! Perfume. The following are exceptions to the above illustrated pro- nunciation, viz. : — French. Lumbago Enm, Rhum and Rumb Umble Pronunciation. English. Lonk!-ba-go Lumbago. Ronk! Hhum. Onklbl' Umber. NASAL DIPHTHONGAL SOUNDS. 89 UN. French. Pronunciation. English. Ancmi O-kunh! Any. Chactin Slia-kunli!( fir £ s g L ) Each. Commim Ko-munli! Common. Un Unli! One. The following* are exceptions to the above illustrated pronunciation, viz. : — ISTuncupatif Isov^lAui-^^-teeiNvncuixitive. Nundinal Nonh!-cle-nal Nundinal. YM and YN, are now very seldom found in the French language ; they are, however, pronounced like IM and IX, which have been already illustrated. Other illustrations of Xasal Yowel sounds will be given in the Synopsis of French Sounds at the end of the book, to which, the pupil's attention is 'directed. 11. Nasal Diphthongal Sounds There are Seven Nasal Diphthongal Combinations; and they are thus divided and pronounced, viz. : — ian divided into i-an and pronounced eanh! eanh! eonh! uanh ! or wanh ! uanh ! or wanh ! ooanh! or wanh! ooanh! or wanh! Further illustrations of the pronunciation of these Xasal Diphthongal sounds will be given in the Reading Lessons. ien u i-en a ion u i-on u nan u n-an u nin a u-iri u ouan u on-an u ouin u on-in u 90 LESSON VI. 72. Liquids. L and LL. Whenever L and LL are preceded by ai, ei, oui, and sometimes by i only, they receive a sound very different from that which they have, when initial. In the former case, they become a Liquid, and are so called from their peculiar sound. Yet it is a sound with which foreigners are well acquainted. The only difficulty is, in expressing or illustra- ting the sound, by means of English analogous sounds It is the same sound which is given to the letters LLI in the correct pronunciation of the English words COLLIER, BILLIARD, BRILLIANT and WILLIAM. If you pronounce any one of these words very carefully, observing at the same time the peculiar sound of the letters LLI, you will have the correct Liquid sound which is illustrated by the peculiar sound of the letters GL, in the English word SERAGLIO. In French words containing Liquid sounds, observe the the following General Rules, viz. : — i. Pronounce the letter A before IL and ILL, as A in the English word AH! ii. Pronounce the letter E before "IL and ILL, as A in the English word DAY, In the illustrated pronunciation of the following exam- ples of Liquid sounds, the last syllable YE of many of them, is scarcely sounded. Let it be, but the mere faint echo of the voice. LIQUIDS. 91 j Name. Sound. GL. Like the letters GF, in the English word SERAGLIO. French.' Pronunciation. English. Accueil A-kueegl-ye or k'weegl-3 7 e Reception. Briller Breegl-yay To brighten. Castille Kas-tigl-ye Contention. Fepouille Day-pooeegl-ye Relics. Enorgueillii , Anh!-nor-gueegl-yeer, or g'weegl-yeer To be proud of . Famille Fa-migl-ye Family. Feuille Fulaligl-ye P(tper, or a sJieet of paper. Fille Feegi-ye .Daughter. Mouiller Moo-eegl-yay To wet. Oreille O-raygl-ye Ear. Faille Pah-eegl-ye, or pahgl-ye Straw. Fouiller Poo-eegl-yay To abuse. Reveil Ray-vaygl-ye Alarm-clock. Sillon Sigl-yonli! Furrow. Soleil So-laygl-ye Sun. Tailleur Tahgl-ynhh', or Tah-eegl-yuh!r Tailor. Tourbillon Toor-bigl-yonli! "Whirlwind. Travail Tra-valigl-ye, or Tra-vah-eegl-ye Labor. But there is another very different and common method of pronouncing the Liquid sound illustrated in the preceding examples. Its chief merit is, the ease ivith which it may be acquired. It cannot be stigmatized, as absolutely vicious, though it -be, at least in the opinion of the w 'iter, INELEGANT. 92 LESSOR VI. The following examples will be used to illustrate kind of pronunciation just spoken of, viz. : — French. Pronunciation. English. the Aiguille Bouilli Bouteille Cuiller Fauteuil Groseille Muraille A-guee-y' Booee-y' Bootay-y' Kuee-yeair Fo-tuhl-y' Gro-zay-y' Mu-rali-y' Needle. Boiled beef. Bottle. Spoon. Arm-chair. Currant. Wall. Speaking of these different methods of pronouncing the Liquids, the following opinion is taken from Bolmar's Levi- zac's French Grammar, viz. : — " This last pronunciation being the easier of the two, has been adopted by so many people in Trance, that it is no longer considered a fault, except by Grammarians. How- ever, I recommend the former, not only on account of its correctness, but also on account of its being a sound very common to the Spanish, the Italian and Portuguese lan- guages; in which languages this sound does not admit of any variation. It is represented in the Spanish by //, in the Italian by gli, and in the Portuguese by Ih." GN. This Liquid is used much in the French language. Its correct sound is peculiar, delightful, and by no means dif- ficult to obtain. It is the sound of the letters GX, in the English words BAGNIO, MIGNIONETTE and VIGNETTE. It may be represented also by the letters LIQUIDS. 93 NI in the English words MINION ONION, PINION and UNION Pronounce the word MIGNIONETTE correctly and carefully ; observing at the same time, the peculiar sound of the letters GN; pronounce also the word PINION, observing the sound of the letters NI. Give to GN in the following examples the sound of GN in the word mignio- nette, or of NI in the word pinion, which will be the correct sound of this Liquid. French. Pronunciation English. Baome Bam Galley. Baigne Bay-gnay Batlied. Bionoiiie Bee-gno-nee Ti "umpet-floiver Deegn Worthy. Dignitaire Dee-gnee-tair Dignitary. Dignite Dee-gnee-tay Dignity. Epargne Ay-pargn Economy. Gagner G-a-gnay To earn. Peigne Paygn Comb. Kegnant Bay-gnanli! Reigning. Siorne Seesrn Sign. Soigner SVaH-gnyay To attend to. Vigneron Veegn'-ronli! Vine-dresser. The exceptions to this method of pronouncing the letters GN occur only in those words, in which they belong to different syllables; — that is to say, in dividing those words into syllables, it would be found that G belonged to one 94 QUESTIONS ON THE SIXTH LESSON. syllable, and !N viz. : — ■ belonged to the next succeeding syllable, French. Pronunciation. English. Igne Ig-nay Igneous. Ignescent Ig-nays-sanh! u Ignicole Ig-ne-kol Fire icorshi'pper. Ignition Ig-ne-seonh! Ignition. Ignivome Ig-ne-voni Fire vomiting. Ignivore Ig-ne-vor Fire eating. Magnificat Mag-ni-fe-kat Name of a sacred hymn. Regnicole Raig-ne-kol A native. Stagnant Stag-nanh! Stagnant. Stagnation Stag-nali-seonh! Stagnation. To the above , may be added a few Proper Names. QUESTIONS ON THE SIXTH LESSON. 68. Compound Yowels. Write the Compound Yowels on 1 the black-board. Pronounce the sound of AI. Illustrate it. Exercise on these Examples, according to the directions in the note to the Teacher, in Section 33. When the I of this Compound "V "owel is under the Cir- cumflex Accent is its sound in any way affected ? QUESTIONS OK THE SIXTH LESSON. 95 Pronounce the sound of AU. Illustrate it. Exercise on these Examples, according to the directions in the note to the Teacher, in Section 33. Pronounce the sound of EAU. Illustrate it. Exercise on these Examples, according to the directions in the note to the Teacher, in Section 33. Pronounce the sound of EI. Illustrate it. Exercise on these Examples, according to the directions in the note to the Teacher, in Section 33. How is this combination, viz. : — EI affected, if E be under the Acute Accent ? Pronounce the sound of EU. Illustrate it. What is the sound of EU, when it is a Yerb, or when it begins a Yerb ? How many sounds then has EU ? Exercise on these Examples, according to the directions in the note to the Teacher, in Section 33. What effect is produced upon the U of this combination when it is under a Circumflex Accent ? What sometimes increases the difficulty of pronouncing this Compound Yowel, and the E Mute or unaccented ? What position of the lips is here recommended ? Pronounce the sound of 01. Illustrate it. What sound must be avoided ? 96 QUESTIONS ON THE SIXTH LESSON. Exercise on these Examples, according to the directions in the note to the Teacher, in Section 33. Pronounce the sound of OIL Illustrate it. Exercise on these Examples, according to the directions in the note to the Teacher, in Section 33. 69. Diphthongs. Write these Diphthongs on the black-board. Are these combinations of Towels, always to be con- sidered as Diphthongs ? Give instances in which they are not Diphthongs Pronounce the sound of IA. Illustrate it. How must the sounds of the "Vowels be heard ? Exercise on these Examples, according to the directions in the note to the Teacher, in Section 33. Pronounce the sound of IE, Illustrate it. Exercise on these Examples, according to the directions in the note to the Teacher, in Section 33. What is said about this Diphthong ? When the E is under an Acute Accent, what is it? Pronounce the sound of 10. said of Illustrate it. Exercise on these Examples, according to the directions in the note to the Teacher, in Section 33. Pronounce the sound of TJA. Illustrate it. Exercise on these Examples, according to the directions in the note to the Teacher, in Section 33. QUESTIONS ON THE SIXTH LESSON. 97 What is naturally suggested in the sound of this Diph- thong ? Go to the black-board, and write the word NUAGrE, and illustrate its sound in both ways. Is this last illustration strictly correct ? Why not ? How many different sounds have French words com- mencing with QUA ? Illustrate both methods of sound. What is the English of the French word QTXAI ? Write its pronunciation, on the black-board. What are the meaning and pronunciation of QUAICHE ? Where does the Diphthong UE occur the most fre- quently ? When do these letters become silent ? Under what circumstances have they the usual sound of French U ? Pronounce the sound of UI. Exercise on these Examples, according to the directions in the note to the Teacher, in Section 33. How many Diphthongal combinations of three successive Vowels in the same word, are there ? Let each pupil go to the black-board and write, divide and pronounce one of these combinations. How many Diphthongal combinations of four successive Voivels, in the same word, are there ? Ler each pupil go to the black-board and write, divide and pronounce one of these combinations. ^0. Nasal Yowel Sounds. Write on the black-board all the Nasals, in which M appears. 98 QUESTIONS ON THE SIXTH LESSON. Write on the black-board, all the Nasals, in which N appears. Write all the Nasals, whose sound is represented by the letters ANH! What are those English words which illustrate the sound of the Nasals AM, AN, EM, EN, IM and IN ? How uttered ? What sound must be avoided in each one of the Nasals ? Is there, strictly speaking, a difference between the Nasal sounds just spoken of ? What is the character of that difference ? When extraordinary nicety of pronunciation is required, what sound has A, in the Nasals AM and AN ? What letters represent the sound of the Nasals OM and ON? Like what letters, in what English word ? How uttered ? What letters represent the sound of the Nasals UM and UN? Like what letters, in what English word ? How uttered ? Repeat the first General Rule. Repeat the second General Rule. Write on the black-board, the three French words given to illustrate the Nasal AM. Write after, or under each word, the Pronunciation. Write after, or under each word, the Meaning. Write on the black-board, the four French words, given to illustrate the Nasal AN. Write after, or under each word, the Pronunciation. Write after, or under each word, the Meaning. QUESTIONS ON THE SIXTH LESSON. 99 "What letters represent the sound of AIM, AFX, and EEN T ? How will yon illustrate this, with AIM ? How will you illustrate this, with AIX ? How will you illustrate this, with EIX ? j> What two other combinations are also illustrated as to their pronunciation, by the letters ANH! ? "Write on the black-board, the pronunciation of C AEX ? Pronounce it. Write three French words on the black-board, in which the Xasal EM appears. Write next, after each word, their Pronunciation. Write also, their Meaning. Write the first four French words of the examples, in which the Nasal EX appears. Write next, their Pronunciation. Write also, their Meaning. In the second example, why is not the first E sounded ? In the same word, why is the last letter silent ? What letters are silent in each one of the last four ex- amples ? Rule for this ? Write two of the French words on the black-board which appear as exceptions to the second General Rule, with their Pronunciation and Meaning. From the list of exceptions to the pronunciation of the Nasal EM, the Teacher will select such words as he pleases, and drill the pupils in wri- ting on the black-board their Pronunciation and Meaning. Repeat the first General Rule concerning Xasals. Write the four French words given as exceptions to that Rule, on the black-board. 100 QUESTIONS ON" THE SIXTH LESSON. Write their Pronunciation, on the black-board. Write also their Meaning, on the black-board. Write on the black-board, any two of the French words given, in which the Nasal IM appears. Writfe next their Pronunciation, on the black-board. Write also their Meaning, on the black-board. Pronounce the French words for Jive, and for Physician. Pronounce the French words for ingratitude, and for wine. Write on the black-board, the French word for road. What becomes of the E in the French word for road ? What becomes of the E in the French word for physi- cian ? Write on the black-board, the French word iov Jive, Write its Pronunciation. The Teacher can ask similar questions concerning every word in the list. Write on the black-board, all the French words given, in which the Nasal OM appears. Now pronounce the first word. Next, write its Pronunciation. Next, give its Meaning. Ask the same questions as the above four, concerning as many of those words as thought proper. Write on the black-board, the French word for good. Pronounce it. What letters are silent in the French word for a great tvhile ? Why? Pronounce that word. Why is the C silent in the fourth French word in the list ? QUESTIONS ON THE SIXTH LESSON. 101 Note. Iu the large Paris edition of Messrs. Fleming and Tibbin's French Dictionary, this word is illustrated thus — donk. Write the pronunciation of the third French word. Write on the black-board that one very common French word, whose pronunciation is so difficult. The next one in the class, may take a piece of chalk and mark the letters of that word which are never sounded. The next may give the reasons for this. The next, will write the word showing its division into syllables, without the letters N and R. What is the IEU of the last syllable of this word called ? Divide the Diphthong into syllables, showing its ele- mentary sounds. Now pronounce I. Pronouce EU. Pronounce the first syllable of the word. Pronounce the second syllable of the same word. Now pronounce the whole word. Write the two French words given, in which UM appears as a Nasal, on the black-board. Write their Pronunciation. Write their Meaning. Write on the black-board, two of the exceptions given. Write their Pronunciation and Meaning. Write on the black-board, the four French words in which the Nasal UN appears. Write the Pronunciation and Meaning of each word on the black-board. Write on the black-board, the Pronunciation of the two French words given as exceptions to the general pro- nunciation of UN. 9* 102 QUESTIONS ON THE SIXTH LESSON. What is said of YM and YN ? 11. Nasal Diphthongal Sounds. Write on the black-board, these Seven Nasal Diph- thongals, and illustrate the Pronunciation of each one. 12. Liquids. When do L and LL become Liquids ? Why thus called ? What letters in what English words, have this Liquid sound ? By what two other letters in what English word, is the Liquid sound illustrated ? Repeat theirs/ General Rule. Repeat the second General Rule. What is said of the syllable YE, as used in the illustra- ted pronunciation of the Liquid sounds ? Concerning the French 'words in the extended list designed to illus- trate their Liquid sounds, the Teacher "will ask such questions as he thinks best, to satisfy himself that the pupil understands the subject thoroughly. What is said of another method of pronouncing these Liquids ? Repeat the substance of the quotation from Bolmar's Levizac's French Grammar. What is the correct sound of the Liquid GN ? What letters in what English word, represent that sound ? Exercise on these Examples according to the directions in the note to the Teacher, in Section 33. In what kind of words, is GN not a Liquid ? Exercise on these Examples, according to the directions in the note to the Teacher, in Section 33. RULES FOR PRONOUNCING AND READING. 103 Lesson VII. General Rules for Pronouncing and Reading French. 13. The preceding pages have been devoted exclusively, — and it is hoped satisfactorily, — to the illustration of every known French sound, whether occurring singly, or the re- sult of combinations of Yowels, Consonants, Compound "Vowels, Diphthongs, Nasals and Liquids. Analogous English sounds, have constituted the agents of the fore- going illustrations of French sounds. Generally, this has had reference to SEPARATE WORDS, only. But, let it be remembered, that to give the correct sound of a French word, as it stands alone, is a very different thing, from giving that same French word its correct sound, when it is used with other words in the formation of a sentence in reading, or a phrase in conversation. In this respect, the French language is like our own, as used in common conversation. The system of WORD- CONNECTIONS, in sentences and phrases in both lan- guages, is nearly identical. For the purpose of illustration, let me begin by giving specimens of word-connections, in the English language, viz. : — My hat was on the table, — Is pronounced as if printed — My hat woz-zon the table. I jumped upon the ground, — is pronounced as if printed — I jumpt-tup-pon the ground. 104 LESSON VII. Not at all, — is pronounced as if printed — Not-tat-tall. I assert a dogma; another denies it, — is pronounced as if printed — / assert-ta dogma ; another deniez-zit, &c. These, and similar word-connections occur in almost every sentence and phrase in the English language, where the continuity of sound is not broken by punctuation marks, without our being sensible of it. It is unavoidable. We are, and have been, so constantly used to it, that we notice it only, when attention is called to it. It will be observed that the foregoing word-connections in the En- glish language occur, when a word ending with a Conso- nant is immediately followed by another word, commencing with a Yowel. And the same exists, when, in common conversation, the word following the one with a final Con- sonant, begins with a silent H, viz. : — I was out about an hour — is pronounced as if printed — I waz-zout-tabout-tan-nour, &c. Word-connections in the French language also occur under circumstances exactly similar; i. e., when a word ending with a Consonant, immediately precedes another word commencing with a Yowel or silent H. This feature, therefore, of the pronunciation of French, both in ordinary reading and common conversation, will present no great difficulty to the pupil. The following Rules, thoroughly understood and committed to memory, will place the pupil beyond doubt and hesitation concerning these word-connections, and other matters pertaining to the correct and intelligible use of the French language, both in Reading and Conversation. i. Pay no attention whatever to the Apostrophe. RULES FOR PRONOUNCING AND READING. 105 II. Pronounce ELLE, like the English L. in. The final letters ENT of Yerbs with which ILS and ELLES do or can agree, are always silent. IV. In reading poetry, IA, IE, IE, 10, ION, IER, and sometimes IEN, are pronounced as two syllables. v. ES final, are pronounced like the letters AY, in the English word DAY, except when S forms the plural of words ending in E; in which latter case, ES are not pro- nounced. VI. Pronounce EUX, OE, (EUand, like E mute or unac- cented. VII. Pronounce CH and SCH generally, like the letters SH, in the English word FISH, except the letters CH, in the word YACHT. VIII. ST final, in the words CHRIST and ANTICHRIST, are always silent. IX. All final Consonants after R are silent; except in the words Mars, and Ours — a bear. x. In the word MESSIEURS, the final letters RS are never pronounced. 106 LESSON VII. XI. Whenever a word ending with a Consonant, immediately precedes a word beginning with a Yowel or silent H, the sound of the final Consonant of the former word is carried to the first syllable of the latter, or to the word itself, if it be a monosyllable, just as if the latter word commenced with that Consonant. This is most particularly the case, if the two words are intimately connected in sense. The above Rule owes its existence, entirely to Euphony; to subserve which, almost everything else is sacrificed in the French language. Still, the pupil must not observe it too rigidly, except in poetry. Neither in prose or conver- sation, does this Rule hold good, in the following cases, viz. : — ■ 1. When a harsh sound would be the consequence. 2. Whenever any punctuation mark is placed between the two words in question. XII. T, in the words ET — a conjunction meaning and — and CENT — meaning a hundred — is never carried to the fol- lowing word in pronunciation. XIII. A, in the word AOUT, is not generally sounded. Some- times, however, it is pronounced, but it is considered in- correct. This word, AOUT — meaning August (the month) is pronounced 00, and not AH-OO. XIV. In the Compound word EST-IL, and a few others, the T is carried to the second syllable in pronunciation. KULES FOR PRONOUNCING AND READING. 107 Whenever a word ending with a silent E is immediately preceded by another word beginning with a Yowel or H mute, the Consonant preceding the silent E of the first word is carried to the next word in pronunciation, viz. : — LA FRANCE ENTIERE ; as if printed, La Fran-centiere, and pronounced, Lah Franh!-sanh!-teair. HONNETE HOMME ; as if printed, Honne-tomme, and pronounced, On-nay-tom. XVI. With the words AH! EH! OH! OTJEST — one of the points of the compass— OUF! OTJI, ONZE, ONZI^ME, PHO! UNIEME, YACHT, YATAGAN, YOLE and YUCCA, no final Consonant of a preceding word, is con- nected in pronunciation. Neither is any elision of the Article made before any of these words. XVII. In the phrase YERS LES TINE HEURE, the S final of the second word — LES — is not carried to the following word — UNE — in pronunciation. XVIII. CINQ, is pronounced sank!, whenever it comes before a Consonant or an Aspirated H. But before a Yowel or H mute, it is pronounced sanhlJe. XIX. TIE, have the sound of U, when they are not silent after G and Q, 108 LESSON VII. XX. DIX, — ten, — before a Consonant, is pronounced DEE ; before a Vowel or H mute, DEEZ ; and at the end of a a clause, as DEESS. XXI. SIX, — six, — before a Consonant, is pronounced SEE ; before a Vowel or H mute, SEEZ ; and at the end of a clause, as SEESS. XXII. HUIT, — eight, — before a Consonant is pronounced TJEE, or nearly WEE ; before a Vowel or H mute, as TJEET, or nearly WEET. XXIII. ER final, is usually pronounced like the letters AY, in the English word DAY. The following words, however, constitute an exception to the above Rule. In them, ER is pronounced like AIR in English. Alger Her Magister Amer Frater Mer Belveder Gaster Niger Cancer Gessner Pater Cher Hier Sadder Cuiller Hiver Stathouder and Enfer Jupiter Ver. Fer Lucifer XXIV. Divide each word naturally into syllables, as you would in the English language. QUESTIONS ON THE SEVENTH LESSON. 109 Iii the Exercises on Pronunciation and Reading which follow, the pupil is directed, in the first place, TO PRO- XOUNCE the words in the left-hand column, as the Teacher writes them on the black-board ; secondly, TO WRITE their illustrated pronunciation as the Teacher dictates the French words, and, lastly, to give the English of each word. Then the Teacher will pronounce the En- glish words, for which, the pupil will pronounce the French, &c. These Exercises may be varied according to the Teacher's judgment. After these, or similar Exercises upon the columns, the pupil will proceed to read the Les- son. Never pass by a word whose pronunciation is not obvious at first sight; and for the solution of all difficulties, refer at once to previous Lessons on the elementary sounds. After each Reading Lesson, will be given a few short sentences which the pupil will pronounce, read and illus- trate as best he can, and in such a manner as the Teacher may direct. QUESTIONS ON THE SEVENTH LESSON. What is the subject of this lesson ? To what, have the preceding pages of this book been devoted ? By the use of what, have the French sounds been illus- trated ? Generally, to what has reference been made ? Is the pronunciation of a word considered by itself, the same as that which it has, when employed in a sentence ? 10 110 QUESTIONS ON THE SEVENTH LESSON. What is nearly identical in both the English and French ? Give illustrations of Word-Connections in the English language. Under what circumstances, do these Word-Connections occur in the English language ? Under what circumstances, do these Word-Connections occur in the French language ? What will be gained by thoroughly comprehending and committing to memory these General Rules ? Repeat the first rule, concerning the Apostrophe. Repeat the second rule, with regard to pronouncing ELLE. What is the third rule, about the final letters ENT of Yerbs ? What are pronounced as two syllables in reading poetry ? What is said in the fifth rule, about ES final ? How are EUX, (E and (EU pronounced ? Give the name of E mute or unaccented. Describe its pronunciation. How are CH and SCH pronounced ? What is the exception ? In what two words are the letters ST final, silent ? Go to the black-board, and write the illustrated pronun- ciation of those two words. What is said in the ninth rule, about all final Consonants after R ? What is the, exception to this rule ? Write two words on the black-board, with their illus- trated pronunciation, and meaning in English. What letters are silent in the word MESSIEURS ? QUESTIONS ON THE SEVENTH LESSON. Ill Illustrate its pronunciation. Repeat the eleventh rule, about the pronunciation of final Consonants before a Yowel or silent H ? What calls for this rule ? Where only, may it be rigidly observed ? Repeat the two exceptions to this rule. In what two words, is final T never pronounced ? Write these words on the black-board, with their pro- nunciation and meaning. Pronounce the French word for AUGUST, and explain why it is thus pronounced. Give the name of that mark over the U of that French word, and explain its office. In what compound word, is T carried to the final sylla- ble in pronunciation ? Repeat the fifteenth rule, about silent E, with the French examples given, and explain their pronunciation. Repeat those French words of the sixteenth rule, with which, no final Consonant of any preceding word can be connected in pronunciation. What else about these words ? Repeat that French phrase of the seventeenth rule. What about the final S of the second word of that phrase ? Write this phrase on the black-board, marking the silent letters. Write the pronunciation of this phrase. Is H in the last word aspirated or mute ? How is CINQ pronounced before a Consonant ? How, before an aspirated H ? How, before a Yowel or H mute ? 112 QUESTIONS ON THE SEVENTH LESSON. What sound have UE ? When have they that sound ? Illustrate the pronunciation of the French TJ. How is DIX pronounced before a Consonant ? How, before a Yowel or H mute ? How, at the end of a sentence ? Meaning of the word DIX ? How is SIX pronounced before a Consonant f j How, before a Yowel or H mute ? How, at the end of a clause ? Meaning of the word SIX ? How is HUIT pronounced before a Consonant ? How, before a Yowel or H mute ? Repeat the tiventy-third rule, about ER, final. Repeat the words given as an exception to that rule. How is ER pronounced in those words ? Illustrate on the black-board, the pronunciation of the first five of those words. Illustrate the pronunciation of the next six words. Illustrate the pronunciation of the next six words. Illustrate the pronunciation of the last six words. Repeat the twenty-fourth and last rule. APPENDIX • Lesson I. French. Pronunciation. English. 1. La Lah The. 2. De D' or Duh! o/. 3. Du Du Some. 4. Des Day Some. 5. Et Ay And. 6. Un TJnh! One (Masculine). 1. TJne TJne One (Feminine). 8. Moi M'-wah or Moah Me. 9. Donnez Do-nay (short o) Give. 10. Pain Panh! Bread. 11. Yin YanhJ Wine. 12. Yiande Yianhld (short i) Meat. 13. Biere Beair Beer. 14. Abricot A-bree-ko (ior.gr o) Apricot. 15. Fruit Fr'wee or Fr'uee Fruit. 16. Pommes Pom Apples, 11. Raisin Rai-zanh! Grape. 18. Orange O-ranh !zh Orange. 19. Du pain Du panh! 20. De la yiande D'lah vianhld 21. Des pommes Day pom 22. Une orange Une o-ranh !zh 23. Donnez moi Do-nay m' wah 10* 114 APPENDIX. FOR PRACTICE. Mes amis. Eons ouvriers. Mais non, il n'est pas revenu. II sera avec nous ce soir. Sois aimable, si lu veux etre aime. En ce moment passait. Yive Tarmee ; honneur au travail ; gloire aux braves ! La colere nous fait beaucoup plus de mal que les chose s qui la font naitre. QUESTIONS ON LESSON L 1. Illustrate the sound of A. 2. Give the name and sound of this E. 3. Give the name and sound of this U. Repeat the Rule for obtaining this sound, and exemplify it 4. Give the name and sound of ES, and the Rule concerning these letters. 5. Give the name and sound of ET, and the Rule concerning the T of this word. 6. Give the name and sound of UN, and the name of the English ■word -which is used to illustrate its sound. What is a Nasal ? "What gender is WS ? What does it mean in English ? 7. "Why is not the -word UNE a Nasal ? What gender has it ? 8. Give the name of 01, and illustrate its sound. 9. Is ON in this word, a Nasal ? Why not ? Illustrate the sound of in this word. Illustrate the sound of EZ. Why has it this sound ? Is there any silent letter in this word ? Name it Why is it silent ? ] 0. Explain why the sound of AIN is like that of AN ! 11. Give the name of IN, and illustrate its sound. 12. What letter is silent in this word, and why ? 13. Give the name, and illustrate the sound of E, in this word. What does the accent over this E indicate ? W T hat letter is silent t 14. What letter is silent in this word, and why? What sound has C, before certain Towels ? APPENDIX. 115 Lesson II, French. Pronunciation. English. Je Zhuh! or J' I. Ai Ay Have. J'ai Zhay I have. Tu Tu Thou. As A like A in F at Hast. 11 Eel He. A Ah Has. Xous Noo We. Avons A-Yonh ! Have. Poire Pwahr Pear Jamb on Zhanh!-bonh! Ham. Mouton Moo-tonh ! Mutton. Cerises S'reez Cherries. Roti Ro-tee Gong o) Roast-meat. Figue Feeg Fig. Fraises Fraiz Strawberries. J'ai vin Zhay vanh ! 11 a du pain Eel ah du panh ! Nous avons Noo-za-vonh ! Tuas Tua J'ai de la viande Zhay d'lahveanhld 11 a de le Mere Eel ah d' lah beair No more questions will be given. Those on page 114, are intended only as a sample and guide to the Teacher concerning such questions as he may think best to ask, on the following Lessons of the Appen- dix. 116 APPENDIX. Lesson III. French. Pronunciation. English. Apportez A-por-tay Bring. Pate Pah-tay Meat-pie, Beurre Buh !rr Butter. Fromage Fro-mazh Cheese. (Eufs Uh! Eggs. Lait Lay Milk. Cafe Kah-fay Coffee. The Tay Tea. Creme Kraiin Cream. Gateau Gah-to Cake. Salade Sa-lad Salad. Qu'il ait du pate Keel ay du pah-tay Nous avons du beurre Noo-za-vonh! du buhlrr Apportez moi du fromage A-por-tay m'wah du fro-mazh J'ai des osufs Zhay day-zuh! Que j'aie du cafe K'zhay du kah-fay Que tu aies du the K'tu ay du tay Que nous eussions de la moutarde K'noo-zus-seonh! d'lah rnoo-tard Apportez moi uu gateau A-por-tay m'wah unh! gah-to II a du vinaigre et du sucre Eel ah du ve-naygr' ay du sukr' FOR PRACTICE. Le sol est excellent dans toutes les parties de l'Etat. Banques. Je vous assure que c'est vrai. Ne m'oubliez pas. Par terre, par mer. L'instructiou perfectionue l'esprit. Je vous l'accorde bien volontiers, repondit le fermier. Dans ma maison, il n'est pas de trop petites econo- APPENDIX. 117 \ Lesson IV, French. Pronunciation. English. Un couteau Unh! koo-to A knife. Une fourchette Une foor-shayt A fork. Une cuiller Une kVeegl-yair A spoon. Un verre Unh! vair A tumbler Une serviette Une sayr-veayt A napkin. Une assiette Une a-seayt A plate. Un plat Unh! plan A dish. Un bol Unh! bol A basin. De Tor D'lor Some gold. De V argent D 'lar-zhanh! Some silver. Du fer Du fair Some iron. Apportez moi un couteau A-por-tay m Nvah unh! koo-to Donnez moi du jamboa Do-nay m'wah du zhanh!-bonh! Nous avons de Tor et de l'argent Noo-za-vonh! d' lor ay d' lar-zhanh! J'ai du papier et de 1' encre Zhay du pa-peay ay d'lanhlkr' Donnez moi un canif Do-nay m'wah unh! ka-nif Apportez moi un livre A-por-tay m 'wah unh! leevr' Tu as du cuivre et de lacier Tu ah du kVeevr'ay d' la-seay II a une cuiller et un verre Eel ah une k'weegl-yair ay unh! vair J'ai du fer, et un gateau Zhay du fair, ay unh! gah-to Nous avons un couteau Noo-za-vonh!-zunh! koo-to. FOR PRACTICE. Ah ! mon cher cousin ! Je le vois, tout est oublie. Mon frere en avait deja touche quelque chose par la poste d'hier. Eh ! mon papa, c'est qu'il l'aura trompe comme vous. Que dites-vous, Monsieur ? Rappelez-vous ceci, mes chers petits lecteurs ; votre ami, L'AUTEUR. La vegetation speciale a cette region, est tres variee. Le sol et le climat sont tres favorables. 118 APPENDIX. Lesson V. French. Pronunciation. English. Yous Yoo You. Ne Nuh! or W Not. Pas Pah a Avez A-vay Have Out Onh! a Avais A-vay Had and hadst. Avait A-vay . it Avions A-veonli! it Eus U tt Eut U a Eumes Ume it Eurent Ure a Aurai O-ray Shall or will ha Aura O-rah u Aurons O-ronh ! a Aurez O-ray a Auront O-ronh! a Nous n'avions point des bas Vous n'avez pas de chapeau Elles n'ont pas des bottes Je n'ai point d' habit Je n'ai point un lit Je n'eus pas de montre II n'eut poiut de bourse Nous n'eumes poiut du bottes Nous n'aurons pas un couteau lis n' eurent pas un canif Noo na-veonh! p'wanb! day bah Voo na-vay pah d' sha-po El nonh! pah day bot Zh' nay p'wanb! da-be Zh' nay p'wanb! unh! lee Zh' nu pah d' monh!tr' Eel nu p'wanb! d' boorss Noo mime p'wanb! du bot Noo no-rouh! pah-zunh! koo-to Eel nure pah-zunh! ka-nif. APPENDIX. 119 Lesson VI, French. Pronunciation. English. Cendres Sanhldr' Ashes. Semaine S'main Week. Quinze Kanhlz Fifteen. Demain D'inanh! To-morrow. Noel No-ail Christmas. Jour Zhoor Day. Yendredi Vanh!dr'-de Friday. Ouvert Oo-vair Open. Jeudi Zhuh!-de Thursday. Quelques Kelk' Few. Tremblenient Tranhlbl'-manli! Earthquake. Monument Monh !-nu-manh ! Monument. Engagement Anh !-gazh'-manh ! Engagement. Mercredi des cendres Mairkr'-de day sanhldr' Une semaine Une s'main Quinze jours Kanhlz zhoor Demain D'manh! Noel No-ail Le jour de l'au L' zhoor d'lanh! Vendredi saint Vanh!dr'-de sauh! Le musee sera ouvert le quinze L' mu-zay s 1 rah oo-vair 1' kanhlz Mars Mahrss Notre foire annuelle s'ouvrira Notr' fVahr an-nu-el soo-vre-rah de jeudi en quinze d'zhuh!-de anh! kanh'.z. Nous avons eu quelques jours Noo-za-vonh!-. 5U kelk zhoor d' va- de vacances a Paques kanh'.s ah Pahk. 120 APPENDIX. French. J'apercois Fran^ais Peignent L'argent Reluisaient • Re9us Reponse Fortifications Yoiture Cheval Maitre Traduisez Joignissiez Dejeuner Livres Fable Lesson VIL Pronunciation. Zha-payr-s'wah Franh!-say or Frahnh!- Paygn-y' Lar-zhanh ! R'lwee-zay R'su Ray-ponh!ss For-te-fee-kah-seonk ! Y'wah-ture Sh'val May tr' (sound of ay, long) Trah-dwee-zay Zh'wahgn-yees-seay Day-zhuh!-nay Leevr' FahbP English. / discover. say French. They paint. Money. They glittered. Received. Answer. Fortifications. Coach. Horse. Master. Translate. Might join. Breakfast. Books. Fable. J'apercois un vaisseau II n'entend pas le Francais Vos sceurs peigDeat tres biea Je devais de l'argent a votre pere L'or et l'argent reluisaient par- tout Je recus une lettre Samedi dernier Attendit-il la reponse ? Vendrai-je mon cheval ? Zha-payr-s'wah-zunh! vay-so Eel nanh'.-tana! pah 1' Franh!-say Vo suh'rr paiygn-y' tray beanh! Zh' d'vay d' lar-zhanh ! ah votr' (short o) pah Lorr ay lar-zhanh! r'lwee-zay par- too Zh' r'su-zuue lettr' Sam'-de dayr- neay A-tanh!-dee-teel lah ray-ponh!ss ? VanbJ-drayzh' monh! sh'val ? APPENDIX. 121 Lesson VIII. French. Pronunciation. English. Les Saisons Lay Say-zonh! The Seasons. Le Printemps L'Pranh!-tanh! Spring. L'Ete Lay-tay Summer. L'Automne Lo-ton Autumn. L'Hiver Le vair Winter. Les Mois Lay M'wah The Months. Janvier Zhanh!-veay January. Fevrier Fay-vreay February. Mars Mahrss March. Avril -vreegl-ye April. Mai May May. Juin Zh'wanh! June. Juillet Zh'weegl-yay July, Aout Oo August. Septembre Sayp-tanh!br' September. Octobre Ok-tobr' October. Novembre No-vanh !br' November. Decenibre Day-sanh!br' December. Les Jours de la. Lay Zf.oor d' la The Dvys of Semaine. S'mais Week. Dimanche De-manli!sk Sunday. Lundi Lunh !-de Monday. Mardi Mar-de Tuesday. Mercredi Mayrkr'-de Wednesday. Jeudi Zhtttit-de Thursday. Vendredi Vanhldr'-de Friday. Samedi Sam^de Saturday. 122 APPENDIX. Lesson IX. - French. Pronunciation. English. Monsieur Mo-seuh ! Sir. Bonjour Bonh!-zhoor Good morning. Aujourd'hui O-zhoord-wee To-day. Fort FOI* (aliorto) Hardy. Comment Ko-manh ! How. Porte Port (short o) To carry. Madame Ma-dam (^crt a's) Madame. Indisposee Anh !-deess-po-zay Indisposed. Faclie Fah-shay Sorry. Depuis D'puee or D'pwee Since. Medecin Mayd'-sanh ! Physician. Mademoiselle Mahd-m'wah-zayl Miss. Beaucoup Bo-koo Much. Charme Shar-may Glad. Suis S'wee Am. Bonjour, Monsieur Bonh'.-zhoor, Mo-seuh ! Monsieur, je vous souhaite le Mo-seuh! zh' voo soo-ayt 1' bonh!- bonjour zhoor Comment vous portez-vous Ko-manh! voo por-tay-voo o-zhoord- aujourd'hui wee? Je me porte fort bien Zh' m' port for beanh! Comment se porte Monsieur Ko-manh! s' port Mo-seuh! votr' votre pere ? pair 11 se porte tres-bien, Monsieur Eel a" port tray-beanh! Mo-seuh! Comment se porte Madame Ko-manh! s' port Ma-dam votr' votre mere ? mair ? Elle est indisposee El ay tanh!-deess-po-zay Depuis quand est-elle malade ? D'pwee kanh ay-tel ma-lad ? APPENDIX. 123 FOR PRACTICE. Oh ! Maman, Maman ! si vous saviez comme j'ai bien travaille ce matin. En verite ! quel grand ouvrage as-tu done fait ? Attendez Maman! je crois que. Pourquoi 'i Parce que. Oui, Maman. Tres- bien. Lesson X, French. II faut Bonsoir Je souhaite Yotre sceur Chez vous Youlez-vous Bien oblige Je suis honteux Je dis Est-il certain ? Un fait Je crois Une affaire Pronunciation. Eelfo Bonh!-s'wahr Zh' soo-ayt Yotr' suhlrr Shay yoo Yoo-lay-voo Beanh! nob-le-zhay Zh' sVee honh!-tuh! Zh' dee Ay-teel sayr-tanh!? Unh! fay Zh' krVah Une af-fair English. / must. Good evening. I loish. Your sister. At home. Will you. Mack obliged. I am ashamed. I say. Is it certain / A fact. I think. An affair. II faut que je vous quitte Eel fo k' zh' voo kit Au plaisir O pla-zeer Bonsoii, Mademoiselle Bonh'.-sVabr Mahd'-m'wah-zayl Je vous souhaite une bonne nuit Zh' voo soo-ayt une bon nuee Faites mes amities a Mademoi- Fait may-za-mit-teay ah Mahd' selle votre soaur mVah-zayl votr' suhlir Faites mes compliments chez Fait may konh!-ple-manh! shay vous voo Voulez-vous avoir la bonte Voo-lay-voo-za-vVahr lah bonh!- de * * * tay