These threads always teach me as much about regional variations in the pronunciation of English as they do about French. For instance, yes, I do say the vowel in father the same way I say the vowel in car. Having trouble picturing how it would be said differently. And I'm having trouble figuring out how to say Leon in such as way that it rhymes with Lyon.

Hmmm. I seem to be under the mistaken impression that the "ar" sound in "gare" is pronounced as in "Gary".

((I))

Ira, not unless they pronounce Gary VERY differently down in Georgia than they do here in Massachusetts.

Not like Gary...

nor like Barry, nor carry, nor Carrie, nor fairy, nor hairy, nor Larry, nor Mary, nor tarry, nor vary...

I assume rex has a Ph.D. in linguistics with French as a major. Otherwise, he would refrain a bit from sounding like such an authority, particularly when he is dead wrong.

How do you Yankees pronounce Gary, Nikki? :)

According to my French dictionary, the ar sound in gare is the same as the ar sound in garcon, which I was taught was like the ar sound in Gary.

((I))

I agree with you Ira, like in garçon! ;-)
corinne

So let's see, ira -- "gare" should be pronounced like "car" according to your earlier post. Now you say it should be like the "ar" in "Gary" which sure as heck would sound like the French "guerry" in most parts of the U.S.

And if you now say Gary is not pronounced like guerry, then you must think it sounds like "car" with a y on the end. I don't know anyone who pronounces Gary that way.

When you get your story straight, ira, let us know.

And we haven't even begun on how to pronounce Rouen...

My dear Wayne,

I fear that you have been misinformed. It was not I who said it is pronounced like "car".

>..you now say Gary is not pronounced like guerry,...<

Absolutely. Go see "The Music Man" and listen to "Gary, Indiana".

For further clarification, my French dictionary says the "a" is like in "hat".

((I))

I can't tell if we are talking about differences in the way "Gary" is pronunced... or the "a" in "gare".

Try this... dial 1-800-237-2747 for Air France, and "composez le neuf (9) pour ecouter en Francais".

Right away you will the words "arrivees" (you will also hear them say "Air France") - - the first syllable in "arrivees" rhymes with car (pronounced the same in English or French).

It does not sound the same as in "Air" - - which to me, rhymes with Gary, Barry, carry, etc.

I agree that "gare" is identical to the first syllable in "garcon".

Listen to an episode of <i><b>Garri</b></i>son Keillor's &quot;<i><b>Prairie</b></i> Home Companion&quot;. This is how <i><b>Gary</b></i> sounds, as I hear it.

Ira, I can't speak for all Yankees because I learned to speak in New York, but I pronounce Gary to rhyme with marry. Which opens up a whole other can of worms. Also rhymes with tarry.

Neither of which rhymes with gare, nor with garcon, at least not in New York or New England.

&gt;It does not sound the same as in &quot;Air&quot; - - which to me, rhymes with Gary, Barry, carry, etc.&lt;

Barry rhymes with hairy?
How does one pronounce Harry?

I agree with the Gar in Garrison, but that doesn't rhyme with prairie.

((I))

We must not be listening to the same broadcasts...

Yes, Barry, hairy, Harry and Prairie all rhyme with (the way) <i><b>Garri</b></i>son (pronounces his own name) - - and in many soliloquies, he will also frequently say &quot;Garry&quot; (rhymes with prairie), as he was called by his elders, during his youth.

The 'a' in car and father in English are pronounced identically, as an open back unrounded vowel. This is true for both RP British English and General American English.

This vowel is not identical to the 'a' in French gare, but it's the closest approximation and the difference is too slight to worry about (the French 'a' is fronted, that's all).

Thus, the 'a' in French gare sounds like the 'a' in English father. The vowel you hear in tan or man in English doesn't exist in French; no words in French are pronounced using it.

&gt;..the 'a' in French gare sounds like the 'a' in English father. &lt;

Well, let's just say we have learned our pronunciation from various people who speak different brands of French.

((I))

exactly - lots of people in France speak different accents of French - the Africans, Moslems, Belgians all different
Gare - like in i don't 'care'?

What???
No wonder why I couldn't find the Gary Street Lasar and the Gary Lion!

Hi All
Thanks for brightening my day and teaching me something! I probably learned more than I really wanted to know about how to pronounce Gare, but it was worth it -- you guys are hysterical. Thanks for the info and laughs. FWIW - I am quite used to being stared at by indigenous people - but I at least try to speak their language. I usually butcher it somewhat. But I'll bet I get to Gare St. Lazare and Gare Lyon!
Thanks so much for your help and entertainment.
shrink
ps: It is also neat to hear from other PHC fans. I thought I was the only one.