The Vowels /e/ and /ɛ/ (e.g.: aller and allait)

/e/ and /ɛ/

The vowels /e/ and /ɛ/ are characterized by the following features:

/e/ is mid-closed, front, unrounded and oral, e.g.: aller [ale] , mangé [mãʒe] , fée [fe] , léger [leʒe] .

/ɛ/ is mid-open, front, unrounded and oral, e.g.: belle [bɛl] , mettre [mɛtʁ] , est /ɛ/ , vienne [vjɛn] .

As you can see, these vowels are identical, except that the tongue is a little higher for /e/ than it is for /ɛ/.

Articulation of /e/ and /ɛ/

Like all French vowels, /e/ and /ɛ/ are short and tense. When articulating, avoid adding a /j/ or an /i/ at the end. While English does have similar vowels, they are not the same. Compare, for example, the following word pairs.

As these examples suggest, it is important to ensure that you do not produce a diphthong when articulating these French vowels. Keeping the vowel short and tense should help ensure a correct pronunciation.

The problem of pronouncing English [ei] is particularly challenging in French words where /ɛ/ is followed by /j/, e.g.: abeille [abɛj] . While this is similar to the English diphthong, French uses a short semi-consonant at the end.

Distribution

The vowels /e/ and /ɛ/ tend to follow the Loi de position, i.e.: /e/ is always found in open syllables (aller = [ale]) and /ɛ/ is often found in closed syllables (belle = [bɛl]). However, there are exceptions. These exceptions involve the presence of /ɛ/ in open syllables. For the most part, spelling conventions will help (see below).

Spelling of /e/

The vowel /e/ is represented by the letter(s) "e" or "ai" in certain contexts. Namely:

a) words written with "é", e.g.: allé [ale], fée [fe]. This is true for all word positions.

b) words ending in a silent consonant other that "T" or "N", e.g.: manger [mãʒe], nez, [ne], pied [pje], etc.

c) in the conjunction et [e] (meaning "and")

d) in verb forms ending in "ai(e)", e.g.: j'ai [ʒe], j'irai [ʒiʁe].

e) "e" followed by a double letter, e.g.: dessert [desɛʁ], effet [efɛ].

Spelling of /ɛ/

The vowel /ɛ/ is represented by the letter(s) "e" or "ai" in certain contexts. Namely:

a) "e" in closed syllables, e.g.: belle [bɛl], mettent [mɛt].

b) words written with "è" or "ê", e.g.: très [tʁɛ], bête [bɛt].

c) "ai" + a silent non-nasal consonant letter, e.g.: j'irais [ʒiʁɛ], il parlait [ilpaʁlɛ].

d) in nouns and adjectives ending in "ai(e)", e.g.: mai [mɛ], vrai [vʁɛ].

e) "e" + "t", "st" or "ct", e.g.: jouet [ʒwɛ], billet [bijɛ], respect [ʁɛspɛ].

The following table summarizes the main spelling conventions for /e/ versus /ɛ/ in final open syllables:

When the letter "E" is used in non-final open syllables, the vowel used is usually "unstable E" (see here for more information).

• The verb form est is pronounced [ɛ]; the conjunction et is pronounced [e].
• Make sure you do not diphthongize either of these vowels, especially at the end of a word.