Bonjour à tous! Welcome back to the French Made Easy Podcast. This is episode number 84, numéro 84!

So. I'm very excited about this episode because we're talking about my favorite topic...

Pronunciation!

In this episode, you'll learn 5 sets of French homophones. 

A homophone is a word that has the exact same pronunciation as another word. But has a different meaning and spelling. So this is going to be quite fun. Or, my idea of fun anyway!

We're also going to deconstruct the pronunciation of these words. It'll help you understand why they're pronounced the same way. Even though they aren't spelled the same at all.

Perfect timing to tell you that, if you're interested in learning French pronunciation, 

Then go and sign up for my free class, 5 Steps to Clear French Pronunciation. The link is in the episode notes!

You'll learn:

• The 3 reasons why beginners struggle with their spoken French (so you won't!)
• The 5 essential steps you need to take to learn or improve your French pronunciation.
• My #1 pronunciation tip!
• How I can help you inside my course: French Pronunciation Made Easy

And you'll also learn more about how I can help you inside my 8-week course, French Pronunciation Made Easy! 

Oh and as always, make sure you have your cheat sheet in front of you. Pretty important for this particular lesson actually. It will be much easier to understand if you see the spelling of these words. Because you won't be able to differentiate them by hearing them.

On y va, let's get started. 

Our first set of words is: 

• [sã] cent / sang / sans

All three of them are pronounced [sã] and have different meanings.

1. cent (a hundred)

In this word, the letter "c" is pronounced [s], the letters "en" together are pronounced [ã] and the final consonant "t" is silent.

2. sang (blood)

In that word, the letter "s" is also pronounced [s], the letters "an" together are pronounced [ã] and the final consonant "g" is silent.

3. sans (without) 

Here, the letter "s" in this word is pronounced [s], the letter "an" together [ã], and the final consonant "s" is silent.

Now, a note here, it's not because, in a particular word, a letter is pronounced a certain way that it's always pronounced the same way, alright? It all depends on where the letter or group of letters, are located inside the word. One letter or group of letters can have many different sounds, as well as being silent. Lots of rules and exceptions which I teach inside FPME.

Ok, second set of words:

• [siɲ] cygne / signe

1. cygne (swan)

Ok so the letter "c" in this word is pronounced [s], the letter "y" is pronounced [i], the letters "gn" together are pronounced [ɲ] and the final "e" is silent. 

2. signe (sign): 

The letter "s" in this word is pronounced [s], the letter "i" is pronounced [i], the letters "gn" together are pronounced [ɲ] and the final "e" is silent. 

3rd set of words: 

• [fɛr] faire / fer

1. faire (to do)

In this word, the letter "f" is pronounced [f], the letters "ai" together are pronounced [ɛ], the R is pronounced [r] and the final "e" is silent. 

2. fer (iron)

in the second word, the letter "f" is pronounced [f], the letter "e" is pronounced [ɛ] and the final consonant R is not silent and pronounced [r].

• [lɛ] laid / lait

In both of these words, the letter "l" is pronounced [l], the letters "ai" together [ɛ] and the final consonants "d" and "t" are silent.

• [ʃã] champs / chant

1. champs (field)

In the first word, the letters "ch" together are pronounced [ʃ], the letters "am" together [ã] and the final consonants "ps" are silent. 

2. chant (song/act of singing)

In this word the letters "ch" together are pronounced [ʃ], the letters "am" together [ã] and the final consonant "t" is silent.

Et voilà! That's the end of today's episode. I hope you enjoyed it! And again, if you're interested in learning the framework I use to teach French pronunciation to my students, head over to mathildekien.com/webinar to register for my free class: 5 Steps to Clear French Pronunciation.

I'll chat with you next week! 

Merci beaucoup, et à bientôt!