This concerns the two letters LL (double L’s) Is there a rule why sometimes the double L is pronounced like Y as in the French pronunciation of bottle per say. Or a long L like in Chanterelle?
David is right, but VILLE is an exception because we pronounce it
V + ill (sick), also Cadillac …
Canterelle:
On double the consonant before E because of E.
1. E atonic (mute)
a) Followed by a double consonant or two different consonant E is either open (étiquette, merle, steppe) or is closed (effective electricity ennemi).
b) Followed by a final consonant (particularly R or Z), is mostly a closed E: Berger, nez, finissez, les.
c) Followed by a final consonant E is an open E followed by a R+consonant: certain, ermite, merci, or L + consonant.
ATTENTION:
CH and PH are the sound of a consonant. They are not considered double consonant. (échelle, éplucher).
X is the double consonant (examples)
2. E mut, the word at the end or the end of syllables of the word, although sometimes pronounced:
a) E mute at the end of monosyllabic words acted OE: le, je, me, us.
b) E mute to end words with more syllables are not pronounced: amie, armoire, chatte, petite, prise.
c) E mute (E caduc = obsolete) in a word = OE: regarder, venir. In the current speech E is muted: soi(e)rie, sci(e)rie, dur(e)té.
#1 by David on August 25th, 2009
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Well, while I admittedly don’t know all the rules, I know that when it’s preceded by an "i", it’s pronounced like a "y". Examples: bille, billet, fille, nouille, paille, abeille, etc.
Sorry I couldn’t be of more help, despite being born in France and having lived there for a number of years!
References :
#2 by Rodica on August 25th, 2009
Quote
David is right, but VILLE is an exception because we pronounce it
V + ill (sick), also Cadillac …
Canterelle:
On double the consonant before E because of E.
1. E atonic (mute)
a) Followed by a double consonant or two different consonant E is either open (étiquette, merle, steppe) or is closed (effective electricity ennemi).
b) Followed by a final consonant (particularly R or Z), is mostly a closed E: Berger, nez, finissez, les.
c) Followed by a final consonant E is an open E followed by a R+consonant: certain, ermite, merci, or L + consonant.
ATTENTION:
CH and PH are the sound of a consonant. They are not considered double consonant. (échelle, éplucher).
X is the double consonant (examples)
2. E mut, the word at the end or the end of syllables of the word, although sometimes pronounced:
a) E mute at the end of monosyllabic words acted OE: le, je, me, us.
b) E mute to end words with more syllables are not pronounced: amie, armoire, chatte, petite, prise.
c) E mute (E caduc = obsolete) in a word = OE: regarder, venir. In the current speech E is muted: soi(e)rie, sci(e)rie, dur(e)té.
References :