Hello travel helpers! I am looking for an iPhone app that will help me improve my French pronunciation. I have been using Google translate. It works okay; but I find that I can pronounce the same word in a way that sounds identical to me, and it will throw out a variety of translations, different each time. Maybe this is unavoidable in this type of app. But, if someone has had the same problem, please let me know what you have found in your experience. Thank you, Susan
Posted by
Paris
7300 posts
The thing is, French has a lot of homophones. If you say a word without context, chances are that the sound can correspond to several different words. So I am not sure how to avoid this issue?
Posted by
Indianapolis, IN
369 posts
Hi Susan, I feel your pain! I taught English a French bilingual school in the US. The general opinion among bilingual teachers is that very few people who adopt a second language as older children or adults will ever develop a perfect accent. You can certainly develop your skills and be understood, but there will always be an accent. I suspect that this is your problem with the translation app..it's expecting perfect French pronunciation because its function is to translate into English for the French speaker. And you are very correct that as an English speaker, it's often very difficult to even hear the subtle differences in some words so that you can try to replicate them.
How about using a program like Babbel that is set up for this purpose, i.e., for teaching non-native speakers? It (and I'm sure other apps) do give you feedback on your pronunciation. The other thing that I do is listen to French instruction CD's in my car. I play the same sections repeatedly in an effort to listen and improve my pronunciation. Hang in there! French is difficult. But with enough work you can make yourself understood and you will have a non-native but charming accent.😊
Posted by
PA, USA
82 posts
Susan, when I've occasionally tried Google translate, it doesn't sound as French as I would want it to!
My go-to site for pronunciation is the Forvo website. I look up whatever word is on my mind, and if it turns up a bunch of different French speakers, I always choose "splouf" if he's one of the speakers. By choosing the same speaker every time, I'm getting the same accent. If you've ever watched a British TV show where Brits are faking an American accent and don't realize that they are mixing southern with midwestern and New England accents, you know what I'm trying to avoid.
I realize that doesn't give you feedback. Come to think of it, Forvo might have that option now. I've never tried it.
Do you know the instagram account of ATfrenchies? These two French guys are a hoot, and they often do a short video of French words that sound the same. This one is 'How do you say "peach" in French?".
Posted by
OP
lake forest park, washington, usa
121 posts
Thank you all. I see I should have given more background. I am not a French newbie. Have used much of Pimsleur through the years
and been able to make it through with my very basic French during several trips. Just looking for a way to work more on pronunciation using the translation app for feedback; i.e. did the app understand what I said. And, not simple words; but, sentences.
Anyway, there were useful ideas and bits of info in your replies. Thanks again!!
Posted by
Normandie
302 posts
I know one can use the computer-based version of Microsoft Word to dictate in French (or other languages) and Word will attempt to transcribe what is being said. It can be a fun test to see where you're diverging furthest from expected pronunciation. I doubt the Word app for iPhones has that functionality, but you might check.
Posted by
OP
lake forest park, washington, usa
121 posts
Thank you so much K! That is exactly the info I was looking for. I will check out Word foreign language verbal transcription on my PC.
(Really, my tech-y hubby will check it out for me tomorrow.) I'm sure it will be available. Best, Susan
Posted by
san ramon, ca, usa
286 posts
I've been speaking french on and off for about 50+ years. My accent at times has been mistaken as Parisian. LOL. Because of our upcoming trip at the end of the month to France, I've been using babbel to compliment my tutoring. There are books too that are useful except for hearing the accent that won't work. These are the apps I'm testing now, Converse, iTranslate, Translator, SayHi, & DeepL. I don't have an opinion quite yet. I've also got TV5 Monde I'm going to start playing with too. Just some options.