Summary of Pronounce It Perfectly in French: With Online Audio by Christopher Kendris and Theodore Kendris

Elevate your French with 'Pronounce It Perfectly in French'. Unlock the secrets of pronunciation with fun exercises and online audio!

So, you've decided that "Je ne sais quoi" is not just a casual phrase for impressing your friends, and you want to actually sound like a French person? Well, grab your beret and a croissant because Pronounce It Perfectly in French is here to help! Let's dive into this linguistic joyride, brought to you by the dynamic duo of linguistics, Christopher and Theodore Kendris.

This book isn't just about splattering some fancy French phrases on your next Instagram post; it's more like your personal French coach, whispering sweet phonetic nothings in your ear. Yes, you read that right-it comes with online audio! Because let's face it, nothing screams 'I'm cultured' like knowing how to roll your R's while sipping espresso at a bistro.

The book kicks off with some essential sounds of the French language. Picture it: you're introduced to the French alphabet, which, spoiler alert, has a few extra characters that make English look like the kid's table at Thanksgiving. The Kendris duo smoothly walks you through the twists and turns of consonants and vowels, so you can finally stop embarrassing yourself when ordering une baguette and accidentally asking for une baguette (a.k.a. a piece of wood).

Next, it dives deep into vowel sounds. Ever thought the French had a thing for drama? Well, they do! They have nasal vowels that might make you sound like you're perpetually stuffed up. But don't worry-after a few tries, you'll sound so French, you might even start getting unsolicited advice on how to pair wine with your cheese.

As you flip through the pages (or scroll, because 21st century), you'll find helpful exercises to not just master the sound but also understand which sound is appropriate when you're practically sparkling at a French café. You'll be dazzled by sections on accents, including those pesky diacritics that give French its unique flair.

Pacing through the book, you'll encounter practical dialogues that mirror real-life situations-who knew you needed to sound like a French master when haggling at the local market? The Kendris fathers of phonetics have it all covered. They even touch upon the nuances of intonation and rhythm, and how to avoid sounding like you're perpetually confused (which, let's be honest, may be challenging).

Now, no language book would be complete without its share of practice exercises complete with online audio for maximum cringe-correction. Here's where the magic happens-listening to native speakers makes it easier to pick up that hypnotic lilt of French. Just think of it as your new favorite guilty pleasure: binge-listening to French pronunciation until your neighbors start to wonder if you're practicing for a dramatic soap opera.

By the end of this enchanting journey, you'll feel like you're practically ready for dinner with the French elite (or at least a casual brunch with some Francophiles). So, whether you're simply trying to navigate your next trip to Paris without invoking the ghost of embarrassing tourist moments, or aiming to impress that French crush you've been eyeing, Pronounce It Perfectly in French is your trusty sidekick.

In summary, if you're looking for a guide that combines seriousness with a sprinkle of fun in mastering French pronunciation, look no further. The Kendris brothers have crafted a little gem that'll leave you saying, "Ooh la la!" instead of "Oh là là!" So, go ahead, and give that French a whirl-you'll be pronouncing "croissant" like a pro in no time!

Maddie Page

Classics, bestsellers, and guilty pleasures-none are safe from my sarcastic recaps. I turn heavy reads into lighthearted summaries you can actually enjoy. Warning: may cause random outbursts of laughter while pretending to study literature.