UKC

How are aiguille and droites pronounced?

In reply to punj:

aiguille = agwee or eh-gooh-eey

droits = dwa

Type 'pronounce aguille' (or droits) into google and you'll be able to hear the words on some sites.

In reply to punj: ok thanks, thats the way i was pretty sure they were pronounced

In reply to punj:

A French friend told me the "u" is silent so it's more like "egg-ee". Who knows?!

In reply to punj:

1) Start by saying ay-geel (hard g) and then do some funny stuff with the l sound. It's the same sound as in Spanish medilla. Half way between an l and a y sound.

2) d then a growly r, almost a w, then oi = wa, then spit out the t.

In reply to Tim Chappell:

The u is not strictly speaking silent, but it comes out more like an English W - aiguille (or aiguilles - the plural s is silent) is roughly pronounced egg-WEE-yu (with yu pronounced as in yurt).

The french pronounce the r at the back of the throat - it's a sound that doesn't exist in English, which makes it very hard to explain or describe (people who aren't used to making the distinction sometimes can't physically hear it). It's one of the sounds that makes an English accent in French very distinctive. If you pronounce it like an English R you should be understood, previous description works - try saying drwat!

Hope that helps!

Laura (who grew up in France)