Front rounded mid-vowels

In this section, we'll practice the front rounded mid-vowels, [ø] and [œ], because they are especially difficult for anglophone students because they do not exist in English and have no easy sort-of-like sound. But you can get to do them correctly, with a little practice.

These vowels are either the rounded equivalent of [e] and [?], which do exist in English, or the fronted equivalent of [o] and [?], which also exist in English. So that gives us a starting point.

To pronounce the [ø], here are two ways to go about it:

• start with the vowel [e], make sure you keep your tongue in place, and round your lips.
• start with the vowel [o], keep your lips rounded, and move your tongue forward.

To pronounce the [œ], follow the same method, but from a different starting point:

• start with the vowel [ɛ], make sure you keep your tongue in place, and round your lips.
• start with the vowel [ɔ], keep your lips rounded, and move your tongue forward.

In the next pages, you'll hear a lot of words with the rounded mid-vowels.