Introduction:

According to the Webster English dictionary, Phonetics is the study and systematic qualification of the sounds made in spoken utterances. The different configurations of the vocal tract produce different sounds. These sounds are then applied to a particular language and it forms the phonetics of that particular language. Learning phonetics is indeed easy if you know the IPA (International Phonetic  Alphabet). Today we are going to discuss what is the best way to learn French Phonetics. The French Phonetic Alphabet consists of thirty-seven (37) sounds. These thirty-seven sounds are used together in various ways to produce all the French words. One thing to keep in mind while studying French Phonetics is that French has four Nasal vowels along with the oral vowels.

So the first and the important step to learn French phonetics is to get a French Phonetic alphabet chart. Study this chart thoroughly, unless and until you have mastered the French phonetic alphabets you will never be able to learn phonetics. These phonetics are the sound elements of every word. It is also important to have a thorough knowledge of the French vowels as well as the consonants of the French language. Until you have learned the vowels, consonants, and phonetic alphabets you cannot jump directly to studying and analyzing French phonetics. After learning the alphabet you can start to take up a small group of French words and analyze their phonetics. All the words are not pronounced the way they are written. There may be a lot of silent letters in a word. Focus and keep in mind where the silent letters are placed generally. One of the best aids you can get is to download and install a French dictionary with an audio feature. You will be able to pronounce the words correctly by listening as well as studying the phonetic alphabets. These will enhance your phonetic knowledge. 

Once you are able to analyze the phonetics for almost every word you can start practicing phonetics for a full sentence. There is a great website that offers great audio as well as phonetic transcription. Visit easypronunciaition.com and you will be directed to a dialogue box where you can write down your French sentence that you want to analyze. Then it will automatically start the transcription and provide you both the written phonetic transcription as well as audio transcription. Sometimes you might forget how a phonetic alphabet is pronounced but with the help of the audio feature you will remember it easily after listening to it. Isn’t that great? Then again, we have to remember the sound stress. Since stress plays a crucial role in the pronunciation of a language. Audio features will effectively help you in learning sound stress. 

You can practice all these ways by yourself at home with the help of resources from the internet as well as from offline resources. But the very best way to learn French phonetics and to master it is to take guidance from a language expert. Since they have mastered it already they will have the knowledge of the correct methods of learning and practicing it. So taking guidance is very essential and the best way but mastering it depends on your dedication and consistency. Without regular practice, you will never be able to learn it.