Colloquial French; Or, the Philosophy of the Pronunciation of the French Language, with Practical Exercises

This book contains the first attempt ever made to demonstrate that modern spoken French pronunciation is not the result of blind fashion and ill-regulated caprice, but originates in the natural laws of harmony, the action of which, although not perceived at any point in time in a series of eras during which they exerted their influence, it can be recognized by the homogeneity and simplicity of the elements that now make up the spoken language; contrasting, however, with its ancient etymological roots and even with the actual graphic form, which derives mainly from these roots. Accent, intonation, stress, and number can only be learned with oral and auditory instruction. But 18 years of extensive experience of the author's practice prompted him to create a book that fully explains the differences between phonetic and graphic elements of the language and in which masters and students will find ways to correct the mistakes that traditional graphic forms constantly entail. In any case, this book can be referred to for solving the huge number of difficulties that beset the student at almost every stage. A careful reading of the table of contents will point them to specific paragraphs in which they can learn other characteristics and characteristics of the pronunciation of all words, as well as the laws governing their associations. The exercises in the last chapter offer all the usefulness of phrases, regardless of the added benefit of teaching the student to use spoken contractions. Since these sentences were not copied from any other book, but were written by the author on purpose, they should be considered as an addition to the usual routine for the French in English schools and private families. There are four chapters in this book: Synoptical View of the Pronunciation of the French Language — The Fundamental Law; A Complete Treatise on the Muto-Guttural E; The French System of Consonantal Sequences; General Conclusions; Practical Exercises.