thèse versus taise
/tɛz/ vs /tɛz/
These reference readings sound the same. Use spelling and sentence context to tell the forms apart.
A2+ · Français universitaire
Soutenance de thèse: French dialogue with IPA and English
Follow all six turns, inspect the pronunciation, and practise the contrasts that matter inside this situation.
Six turns for this web role-play
French conversation, IPA, and English meaning
- JuryVotre soutenance était vraiment convaincante.1
/vɔtʁ sutənɑ̃s etɛ vʁɛmɑ̃ kɔ̃vɛ̃kɑ̃t/
Your defense was really convincing. - MoiMerci, j'ai passé trois ans sur cette recherche.2
/mɛʁsi ʒe pase tʁwaz‿ɑ̃ syʁ sɛt ʁəʃɛʁʃ/
Thank you, I spent three years on this research. - JuryComment avez-vous choisi votre méthodologie?3
/kɔmɑ̃ ave vu ʃwazi vɔtʁ metɔdɔlɔʒi/
How did you choose your methodology? - MoiJe me suis appuyé sur des données statistiques.4
/ʒə mə sɥiz‿apɥije syʁ de dɔne statistik/
I relied on statistical data. - JuryFélicitations, nous vous accordons le grade de docteur.5
/felisitasjɔ̃ nu vuz‿akɔʁdɔ̃ lə ɡʁad də dɔktœʁ/
Congratulations, we award you the degree of doctor.In nous vous accordons, vous links /z/ before accordons. The award is part of this fictional university dialogue.
- MoiC'est un immense honneur, merci à vous tous.6
/sɛt‿œ̃n‿imɑ̃s ɔnœʁ mɛʁsi a vu tus/
It's a great honor, thank you all.
How to read this IPA. These are broad French reference readings, edited as complete sentences. Accent, schwa and optional liaison vary; many speakers use /ɛ̃/ where this reference keeps /œ̃/. The mark ‿ highlights a word link; | marks a rhythmic break; ↑ and ↓ suggest pitch movement.
Word readings adapted from Lexique 3.83, Boris New and Christophe Pallier et al.; sentence readings and notes edited by Parle. Revised IPA and notes: CC BY-SA 4.0. See OQLF on obligatory, forbidden and optional liaison. Reviewed .
Culture and context in French
Read the situation beyond the individual lines.
La soutenance de thèse est un examen oral. Vous présentez votre travail devant un jury. Le jury vous pose ensuite des questions.
Four focused comparisons
Compare words before another full read.
Follow each card’s label and note. Some words differ by one sound, some share a pronunciation, and others differ more broadly. Use the sentence context when the words sound alike.
jury versus jure
/ʒyʁi/ vs /ʒyʁ/
Compare the complete words. This is not a one-sound minimal pair.
titre versus tire
/titʁ/ vs /tiʁ/
Compare the complete words. This is not a one-sound minimal pair.
soutenir versus souvenir
/sutəniʁ/ vs /suvəniʁ/
Change the contrasting sound while keeping the other sounds steady.
Word IPA adapted from Lexique 3.83, Boris New and Christophe Pallier et al., with contextual readings and notes edited by Parle. Comparison transcriptions and notes: CC BY-SA 4.0. Broad reference readings vary with accent and speaking style. See OQLF’s liaison guidance and prosody reference. Reviewed .
Role-play routine
Keep the intention; change one detail.
- Read the exchange once for meaning without stopping at every IPA symbol.
- Repeat one speaker's turns and keep the other turns as prompts.
- Change one time, place, object, or preference while preserving the structure.
- Switch roles and answer without reading the original line word for word.
- Use the sound chart for a reference clip when a sound is difficult.
Build a guided speaking habit in Parle.
The app follows a separate 120-mission course with model audio, recording and practical replies. The first 4 missions on greetings and introductions are free; Premium opens the complete course.