French phonology studies how sounds function in the French language. It includes vowels, consonants, syllable structure, stress, intonation, and sound linking.

1. Vowels

French has a rich vowel system, including oral vowels and nasal vowels.

(1) Oral vowels

Modern standard French has about 12–13 oral vowel phonemes.

Notable features:

• /y/ (written u) is a front rounded vowel, which is rare and difficult for learners.

• Schwa /ə/ may be pronounced or dropped depending on rhythm.

(2) Nasal vowels

A distinctive feature of French.

Nasal vowel Example

/ɑ̃/ sans

/ɛ̃/ vin

/ɔ̃/ bon

/œ̃/ un

Nasal vowels are produced with air flowing through both the mouth and nose.

2. Consonants

French has about 20 consonant phonemes.

Key characteristics:

• Most stop consonants are voiceless unaspirated (p, t, k), unlike English.

• The French “r” /ʁ/ is a uvular fricative, not an alveolar [r].

• Final consonants are often silent in isolation.

3. Syllable Structure

Basic structure:

(C)(C)(C)V(C)

• Complex consonant clusters are possible, especially at the beginning of syllables.

• Syllables usually end in a vowel in connected speech.

4. Liaison and Enchaînement

French connected speech is strongly influenced by linking phenomena.

• Liaison: a normally silent final consonant is pronounced before a following vowel.

les amis → /lez‿ami/

• Enchaînement: a pronounced final consonant moves to the next syllable.

avec elle → /a.vɛ.k‿ɛl/

These features give French its smooth, flowing rhythm.

5. Stress and Rhythm

• French has no lexical stress.

• Stress falls on the final syllable of a phrase.

• French is often described as syllable-timed, unlike English.

6. Intonation

• Intonation distinguishes statements, questions, emphasis, and emotions.

• Rising intonation often marks yes–no questions.