Main vowels - part 2, and nasal vowels.

B. Sounds that combine two or more vowels.

[UI]

combines U and I. This is a long sound, you hear both U and I.
ex : huit, pluie, huile…

[OUI]

Exactly like 'we' in English.
ex : oui, Louis, Kiwi, weekend.

[OI]

combines [OU] and a. This is a long sound, you hear both OU and then A. You really need to open your mouth wide on the A part so the sound comes out.
Ex : moi, toi, trois, Troy…

[OU]

combines O and U, kind of like the oo in 'pool'. This is however a short and clipped sound. The lips are pushed forward and shaped like a kiss.
If you compare O, OU and U, you'll feel the difference is in your chin postion. . O is the lower, then very close comes the OU, then for U, your chin goes up, like the I.
ex : ou, coule, choux…
Practice the difference : lu [lU} and loup [lOU].

2) Nasal vowels (the air escapes through the mouth and the back of the nose).

In these nasal vowels, the ‘n’ is only there to indicate that this is a nasal sound ; it is not pronounced like N ; you only hear a nasal vowel sound.
These do not exist in English. Try to pronouce them while pinching your nose ; after, you can actually speak like that by using a muscle in the back of your mouth.
To find these sounds, here is what I recommand ; start with saying out loud the plain vowel, then gradually pinch your nose and study the sound that results. Pay close attention to the position of your lips, tongue and air-flow. Repeat a couple of times, then try the same exercise without pinching your nose. Then, try to say the nasal sound directly.

After, the difficulty is to be able to switch between nasal and oral vowels… You may want to read my lesson "Nasal or not ?" to hear more exemples and understand the difference and when you pronounce an N or a nasal vowel.

[IN]

i + nasal (lips on the side like a smile)
ex : cinq, fin, matin, un (not oon), main, faim, chien (always with i before), sympathique…

[AN]

a + nasal (mouth open wide in a square)
ex : an, dance, lampe, en, ensemble, temps, paon, faon…

[ON]

o + nasal. (lips almost closed and rounded, like a kiss. The air escapes almost exclusively through the nose. The sound resonates mostly in your nose, it is not a loud sound)
ex : ont, sont, bon, long, ongle…

Practice the difference ; saint [sIN], sang [sAN], son [sON].

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