Let's Talk French

By Williams Asiedu

"LET'S TALK FRENCH" is a beginner-friendly French language learning book designed to help English speakers acquire a solid foundation in the French language. The book is written in simple and easy-to-understand English, making it accessible for those who are new to the language. It is packed with a wealth of examples and practical exercises to aid in understanding and application.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ouereila Publishing House
• Release date: Oct 18, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223473046

Book preview

Copyright © 2023 Williams Asiedu

All rights reserved

The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.

No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the publisher.

Cover design by: Art Painter

Library of Congress Control Number: 2018675309

Printed in the United States of America

Dedication

I dedicate this book to Irene, my cherished mother, whose unwavering support has been the cornerstone of my life's journey. In her boundless love and encouragement, I have found the strength to pursue my dreams and the resilience to overcome life's challenges. Her presence has been a guiding light, illuminating the path of my endeavors.

To my dear mother, who has stood by me through thick and thin, who has celebrated my triumphs and offered solace in moments of tribulation, this book is a testament to your enduring love and belief in me. Your presence in my life is a cherished blessing, and I am eternally grateful for your unwavering faith in my endeavors.

As I pen these words, I am reminded of the countless sacrifices you have made and the boundless love you have showered upon me. Your strength, wisdom, and unconditional support have shaped me into the person I am today. This book is a small token of my appreciation for all that you have done and continue to do.

With heartfelt gratitude and profound love, I dedicate this book to you, Irene, my guiding star and the embodiment of a mother's love. May its pages reflect the enduring bond between us and serve as a tribute to the remarkable woman who has always been there for me.

Content

Who is this book for

I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all those who have acquired a copy of this book, taking the first step on a remarkable journey to master the French language. This book is a versatile companion, suitable for learners of all ages, welcoming anyone with the aspiration to delve into the world of French. It serves as an essential foundation for understanding the intricacies of the French language.

Crafted in the English language, this book offers a remarkably accessible and straightforward learning experience. Rich in practical examples and real-life scenarios, it ensures that learners have a wealth of opportunities to grasp the language nuances. To further enhance your learning journey, each chapter or lesson concludes with well-structured review questions, allowing you to solidify your knowledge and assess your progress.

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Alphabets

Vowel

In French a, e, i, o, u are vowels in the alphabet.

Special Letters

Special letters or characters are an integral part of the French language and they are used to indicate pronunciation differences.

ç (cedilla):

It is used before the vowels o, a and u to indicate a soft c sound.

Example:

garçon = boy

é (e-acute):

It represents a stressed e sound.

Example:

école = school

è (e-grave):

It represents an open e sound.

Example:

père = father

mère = mother

ê (e-cirumflex):

It represents a more closed e sound.

Example:

fête = party

firêt = forest

à (a-grave):

It represents a more open a sound.

Example:

là = there

â (a-circumflex):

It represents a vowel change.

Example:

râteau = rake

bâtiment = building

ô (o-circumflex):

It represents a more open o sound.

Example:

hôtel = hotel

côte = coast

î (i-circumflex):

It represents a historical vowel sound change.

Example:

maître = to be born.

Île = iland

ù (u-grave):

It represents a more open u sound.

Example:

où  = where

voùte = vault

û (u-circumflex):

It represents a more open u sound.

coût = cost

Articles

Articles are letters that are used before nouns to identify that particular noun. In French, nouns or adjectives are broadly grouped into two according to their gender: masculine nouns and feminine nouns. Additionally, nouns can be singular or plural. Articles therefore play the role of indicating whether a noun is specific or general and singular or plural.

Kinds of Articles

There are three kinds of articles:

Definite Articles are used to specify a particular noun.

Indefinite Articles are used for non-specific nouns.

Partitive Articles are used when referring to an unspecified quantity of something that cannot be easily counted.

Definite Articles

Le - the

It is used before masculine singular nouns.

Example:

Le chat = the cat.

Le crayon = the pencil.

La – the

It is used before feminine singular nouns.

Example:

La gomme = the eraser.

La boîte = the box.

L’ – the

It is used before nouns beginning with a vowel.

Example:

L’orange = the orange.

L’image  =  the image.

Les – the

It is used before masculine and feminine plural nouns.

Example:

Les chiens = the dogs.

Les gommes = the erasers.

Les oranges = the oranges.

Indefinite Articles

Un – a/an

It is used before masculine singular nouns.

Example:

Un stylo = a pen.

Un cahier = an exercise book.

Une – a/an

It is used before feminine singular nouns.

Example:

Une papier = a paper.

Une gomme = an eraser.

Des -some/a few

It is used before masculine and feminine plural nouns.

Example:

Des animaux = some animals.

Des amis = some friends.

Partitive Articles

Du – some/any

It is used before masculine singular nouns.

Example:

Du pain = some bread.

Du riz = some rice.

De la – some/any

It is used before feminine