Usage and Linguistic Rules
In the French numbering system, the integers from 11 (onze) to 16 (seize) follow a unique lexical pattern derived from Latin. Conversely, the numbers 17, 18, and 19 are constructed using a compound structure where the base ten (dix) is hyphenated with the units seven, eight, and nine respectively. A significant phonological rule to observe is the liaison; for instance, in dix-huit, the "x" is pronounced as a "z" sound because it precedes a vowel sound. Furthermore, in the number vingt, the final "gt" remains silent unless it is followed by a word beginning with a vowel, in which case the "t" may be articulated. These numbers serve as the fundamental building blocks for expressing time, currency, and quantities in all formal and informal French discourse.
| French | English | Pronunciation |
| dix | ten | deess |
| onze | eleven | on-z |
| douze | twelve | dooz |
| treize | thirteen | trez |
| quatorze | fourteen | kah-torz |
| quinze | fifteen | kan-z |
| seize | sixteen | sez |
| dix-sept | seventeen | dee-set |
| dix-huit | eighteen | deez-weet |
| dix-neuf | nineteen | deez-nuf |
| vingt | twenty | van |
Comments
Post a Comment