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Amelia Earheart
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Consonants

The French consonants in Table 1 are pronounced the same as they are in English: b, d, f, k, l, m, n, p, s, t, v, z. Most final French consonants remain unpronounced except for c, r, f, and l (think of the word ca re fu l). When in doubt, consult a good dictionary.

TABLE 1 Consonant Sounds

Consonant

Sound

c + a, o, u

c as in car

c + e, I

s as in sent

ch

sh as in ma chine

g + a, o, u; gu + e, i, y

g as in go

g + e, I; ge + a, o

zh as in mea sure

gn

ny as in u nion

j

zh as in mea sure

h

always silent

q and qu

k as in kind

r

no equivalent — the sound is gutteral and pronounced at the back of the throat as if gargling

s between two vowels and the s in - sion

z as in zero

t in - tion

s as in sea

th

t as in tea

x (before vowel)

eg as in l eg

x (before consonant)

xc as in e xcel

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