Denasalization

Denasalization consists of the loss of nasal airflow in a nasal sound, such as a nasal consonant or a nasal vowel. When an adjective is before a noun that begins with a vowel, the liaison is obligatory. If the adjective ends with a nasal vowel, then pronounce an [n], but denasalize the nasal vowel.

In some cases, there is phonetically no difference between masculine and feminine:

• quel bon ami (masculine) or quelle bonne amie (feminine) what a good student or what a good student: [kɛlbɔnelɛv]

• l’ancien ami(masculine) or l’ancienne amie (femiine) the old friend or the former friend: [lɑ̃sjɛnami]