Trap 10 of 22 · French speakers
No nasal vowels: international, experience
Pas de voyelles nasales : international, experience
What French speakers do
Before N or M you make a French nasal vowel and swallow the consonant: an-ternational, expé-ri-ance, gouverne-ment.
The American rule
Say the vowel, then close it with a real N or M — tongue touching behind the top teeth for N, lips closed for M. In- is in, never an.
French turns a vowel + N into one nasal vowel: in, en, an, on in international, expérience, gouvernement. English has no nasal vowels. The vowel stays an ordinary vowel and the N or M is a full consonant you can feel:
- in- = in, not an: international = in-ter-NASH-uh-nul
- -ence / -ance = -uns: experience = ik-SPEER-ee-uns
- -ment = -munt: government = GUV-ern-munt
Check yourself: for N, the tip of your tongue should touch the ridge behind your top teeth. If it doesn't, you made a French nasal vowel.
The words
international
/ˌɪntɚˈnæʃənəl/
✗an-ter-na-syo-NAL
✓in-ter-NASH-uh-nul
“It's an international company.”
experience
/ɪkˈspɪriəns/
✗eks-pé-RYANS
✓ik-SPEER-ee-uns
“She has a lot of experience.”
independent
/ˌɪndɪˈpɛndənt/
✗an-dé-pan-DAN
✓in-dih-PEN-dunt
“He's very independent.”
government
/ˈɡʌvɚnmənt/
✗gou-ver-ne-MAN
✓GUV-ern-munt
“The government announced new rules.”
environment
/ɪnˈvaɪrənmənt/
✗an-vi-ro-ne-MAN
✓in-VY-run-munt
“We need to protect the environment.”
example
/ɪɡˈzæmpəl/
✗eg-ZANPL
✓ig-ZAM-pul
“Can you give me an example?”
center
/ˈsɛntɚ/
✗SANTR
✓SEN-ter
“The hotel is in the city center.”
percent
/pɚˈsɛnt/
✗pour-SAN
✓per-SENT
“Prices went up ten percent.”
instant
/ˈɪnstənt/
✗an-STAN
✓IN-stunt
“I knew it in an instant.”
ambulance
/ˈæmbjələns/
✗an-bü-LANS
✓AM-byuh-luns
“Call an ambulance!”
intelligent
/ɪnˈtɛlədʒənt/
✗an-té-li-JAN
✓in-TEL-uh-junt
“She's a very intelligent woman.”