Understanding the E Muet in French Phonology

Flashcards designed to assist with understanding the concept of e muet in French phonology, focusing on pronunciation rules, exceptions, and key terminology associated with the topic.

E Muet

A phonological entity in French representing a silent or weakly pronounced 'e' in specific contexts.

Schwa

A mid-central vowel sound represented by [ə], frequently denoted as e muet in French.

Monosyllabic words

Words with only one syllable, where the e muet is often pronounced.

Exception: Law of three consonants

A rule that the e muet is preserved to avoid sequences of three or more consonants at the end of a word.

Syllabe ouverte

An open syllable where the e muet is pronounced.

Syllabe fermée

A closed syllable where the e muet is always pronounced as [ɛ].

Facultatif

Optional; refers to the variable pronunciation of e muet.

Consonne doublée

A double consonant, after which the e muet is pronounced differently.

Émotions intenses

Intense emotions that may cause the addition of a pronounced e muet in speech.

Variabilité

The degree of variation in the pronunciation of the e muet based on context, speaker, or style.

Groupe rythmique

A rhythmic group in a sentence where the pronunciation of e muet can change.

Orthographe (spelling)

The spelling of e muet, generally 'e' without an accent in certain positions.

Tendance à perdre

The tendency to drop e muets when several monosyllabic words are pronounced in succession.

Prononciation interdite

Prohibition against pronouncing e muet in specific phonological contexts.

E muet obligatoire

Mandatory pronunciation of e muet in certain phonetic contexts.