This guide answers a single question: how is it said? Mistralian spelling records the sound of the word, it is phonetic by design. Once you know the rules, you can read any text in Mistralian spelling aloud, wherever it comes from. If you have the Provençal or southern French accent in your ear, you start with an advantage: use it when reading Provençal, it will carry you towards the right pronunciation.
Beta version. The pronunciations given here are indicative: they aim at a quick, intelligible reading and will be refined. Provençal is spoken with nuances that writing renders poorly, and the ear remains the best guide. Watch the video, listen to speakers, and tell us what sounds wrong to you.
This video is by Emmanuel Desiles, senior lecturer in Provençal literature at Aix-Marseille University. It is neither produced nor sponsored by the Lingua Nostra project: it is featured here because it is one of the best existing resources on Provençal pronunciation.
The golden rules
A spelling that is read as written
Mistralian spelling rests on regular reading rules. The five rules that follow cover the essentials : letters are pronounced, except final consonants ; e is never said like the French "eu" ; u is never said like "oo", outside a diphthong or a triphthong ; a vowel group is said in one breath ; and Provençal carries a true tonic stress, falling most often on the second-to-last syllable.
Every letter is pronounced, except final consonants
In Provençal, every written letter is pronounced. The one broad exception concerns final consonants, which generally stay silent.
E is never said like the French "eu"
Provençal e, whether accented or not, never takes the French "eu" sound. It is always either closed (é) or open (è).
U is never said like "oo"
Provençal u is pronounced as in French. It only takes the "oo" value inside a diphthong or a triphthong.
A vowel group is said in one breath
A diphthong or a triphthong is said in a single breath, without a break between the vowels, though each one stays audible.
The tonic stress falls most often on the second-to-last syllable
Unlike French, Provençal carries a true tonic stress : one syllable of the word is said louder than the others. It is most often the second-to-last one.