Accents Flashcards
What is the acute accent and how is it used?
L’accent aigu, ´ , it is only ever used over an “E”, É/é. For example it sounds like “A” in ABC, Bait, or Late.
What is the grave accent and how is it used?
L’accent grave, ˋ , is used mainly over “E” and sounds like the “e” in “Met”, “Pet”, or “Let”. It is also used over “A” and “U”, without changing pronunciation, but is instead used to indicate a different word. For example, “à”, to or at, but “a”, has.
What is the circumflex accent and how is it used?
L’accent circonflexe, ˆ , can be used over any vowel, â, ê, î, ô, or û, and generally lengthens the sound of the vowel. Example, l’âge, être, l’île, le Rhône, et sûr, all vowels are elongated.
What is the umlaut accent and how is it used?
L’accent tréma, ¨ , can be used over ë, ï, or ü, is used when two vowels are next to each other and both must be pronounced l. Example, naïve, noël, ou capharnaüm. Also in names, such as Zoë.
And finally, what is the cedilla, and how is it used?
La Cédille, used only under a “C” in French, “Ç/ç” is placed to enforce the sound of an “S” before an “A”, “O”, or “U”. For example, “ Français(e)”, “Le Garçon”, ou “Reçu”.
