The semi-vowel [ɥ]

In French, the semi-vowel [ɥ] is pronounced the same as the vowel [y]. As discussed in one of my previous posts, to properly produce this sound, the lips need to be in a closed [o] position, with the tongue tall in the back and making sure the middle is not bunched up, but in the shape of a spoon.

As a semi vowel, [ɥ] has to be followed by a vowel, which is most often "i", in words you encounter very often like "depuis", "nuit", "suis", "lui", "aujourd'hui", etc... That said, it can be followed by other vowels like "a" in a word like "nuage".

Sometimes, composers allocate two pitches or note values, one for the semi-vowel and one for the vowel following it. In this case, one would IPA the first sound as [y].

But more often than not, you are given one pitch with the syllable [ɥi]. This is a tough situation because we need to make sure that in a short time, both vowels are heard and clear. Oftentimes, we hear the [i] sound just fine, while the [ɥ] is squeezed and so fast it is barely audible.

What I have my students do, is to actually imagine the [ɥ] is allocated a specific note value, up to a sixteenth note. For example, in the aria "Depuis le jour" from Charpentier's Louise, in the first phrase "Depuis le jour où je me suis donnée" [dœpɥi lœ ʒur u ʒœ mœ sɥi dɔne:œ], the syllable [pɥi] is on a half note. The [ɥ] needs to be sung on the equivalent of a sixteenth note before moving on to the sound [i]. Similarly, the word "suis" is on a dotted quarter, and the sound [ɥ] should also be sung on a sixteenth note.

When [ɥi] is located on notes of a value shorter than a quarter, the singer should aim to pronounce the [ɥ] on at least a 32nd note value. The goal is to always pronounce it, and not glide over it. Incidentally, it might help to think of this vowel combination as [ɥ-i] rather than [ɥi].

This is a perfect example that there is nothing rushed and unaccented about French, even semi-vowels have a place in the word in their own right.

Stay tuned for more diction tips .