Pronunciation

Diphthongs and triphthongs

Ditongo e tritongo

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.

A vowel group is said in one breath

A diphthong joins two vowels, a triphthong joins three. In both cases the group is said in a single breath, without a break, each vowel staying audible. The stress always falls on the first vowel of the group, or on the first vowel of the diphthong forming the second half of a triphthong : it never falls on the u.

gai« gaï »cheerful
rèi« rèï »the king
bèu« bèou »handsome

The i-diphthongs : ai, ei, èi, oi

The groups ai, ei, èi and oi end on the i sound, as in the French word "ail" (garlic) or the English word "boy".

gai« gaï »cheerful
rèi« rèï »the king
galoi« galoï »joyful

Oui is said "wee" or like "fenouil"

The group oui is said like "ouil" in the French word "fenouil", or "wee", in a single breath.

foui« fouï »mad
boui« bouï »the broth

The u-diphthongs : au, éu, èu, óu, òu

The groups au, éu, èu, óu and òu end on the "oo" sound, with the stress on the first vowel.

sau« saou »salt
bèu« bèou »handsome
mèu« mèou »honey
dóu« douou »of the, from the
nòu« nòou »nine, new

The i- and u-triphthongs

The groups iai and ièi form triphthongs ending on i. The groups iau, iéu, ièu, ióu and iòu form triphthongs ending on u. All are said in a single breath, the stress falling on the first vowel of the diphthong forming their second half.

niais« niaï »simple-minded
bestiau« bestiaou »livestock
biòu« biòou »the bull
diéu« diéou »god
tardiéu« tardiéou »late

Uei is a triphthong

The group uei is said "u-eï" in a single breath, with the stress on the second part of the group.

vuei« vouèï »today
acuei« acouèï »the welcome
fautuei« fautouèï »the armchair

Ue is said "u-eu", iue is said "i-eu"

The group ue forms a diphthong said "u-eu". The group iue is said "i-eu", in a single breath.

cue« cueu »the tail, or cooked
nue« nueu »naked
niue« nieu »the night
iue« ieu »the eyes