Pronunciation and intonation

    OCR
    GCSE

    Mastery of French phonology requires precise articulation of the distinct vowel inventory, particularly the nasal vowels and the uvular fricative [ʁ], alongside the correct application of suprasegmental features. Candidates must demonstrate control over the rhythmic group (le groupe rythmique), ensuring stress falls on the final syllable, and apply mandatory liaisons and elisions to maintain fluidity. Assessment focuses on the reduction of L1 interference, the ability to distinguish minimal pairs such as [y] vs [u], and the use of intonation to convey syntactic meaning and emotional nuance in spontaneous production.

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    Objectives
    4
    Exam Tips
    3
    Pitfalls
    3
    Key Terms
    4
    Mark Points

    What You Need to Demonstrate

    Key skills and knowledge for this topic

    • Award marks for the consistent production of distinct French vowel sounds (e.g., 'u' vs 'ou') without ambiguity
    • Credit the accurate articulation of nasal vowels (an, in, on, un) ensuring they are distinct from oral vowels
    • Candidates must demonstrate correct liaison in standard phrases (e.g., 'les_amis', 'je suis_allé') to maintain flow
    • Reward the suppression of silent final consonants (e.g., 't' in 'chat', 's' in 'dans') unless followed by a vowel

    Example Examiner Feedback

    Real feedback patterns examiners use when marking

    • "Your intonation was flat; ensure your voice rises at the end of questions to signal inquiry clearly"
    • "Watch the 'u' vs 'ou' distinction; 'j'ai pu' sounded like 'j'ai pou', which changes the meaning"
    • "Good fluency, but remember to make the liaison in 'les enfants' to sound more authentic"
    • "You pronounced the final 't' in 'sport'; remember standard rule for silent final consonants"

    Marking Points

    Key points examiners look for in your answers

    • Award marks for the consistent production of distinct French vowel sounds (e.g., 'u' vs 'ou') without ambiguity
    • Credit the accurate articulation of nasal vowels (an, in, on, un) ensuring they are distinct from oral vowels
    • Candidates must demonstrate correct liaison in standard phrases (e.g., 'les_amis', 'je suis_allé') to maintain flow
    • Reward the suppression of silent final consonants (e.g., 't' in 'chat', 's' in 'dans') unless followed by a vowel

    Examiner Tips

    Expert advice for maximising your marks

    • 💡During the preparation time for the Photo Card, whisper difficult words to yourself to prime your articulators
    • 💡Focus on the 'group of breath' strategy; pause only at natural grammatical breaks, not mid-clause
    • 💡If you stumble on a word, correct it immediately; self-correction is credited as a positive strategy
    • 💡Ensure the 'tu' and 'vous' forms are pronounced distinctly; 'parle' and 'parlez' must sound different

    Common Mistakes

    Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers

    • Pronouncing silent final consonants (e.g., pronouncing the 't' in 'et' or 's' in 'paris')
    • Anglicising the French 'r' or 'u' sounds, leading to ambiguity in meaning (e.g., 'j'ai' vs 'je')
    • Using flat intonation for questions instead of the required rising pitch, confusing the interlocutor

    Study Guide Available

    Comprehensive revision notes & examples

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    Key Terminology

    Essential terms to know

    Likely Command Words

    How questions on this topic are typically asked

    Décris
    Explique
    Donne
    Pose
    Réponds
    Justifie

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