An Introduction to French Pronunciation

14.4 Point of Articulation
The Consonants in Detail: (I) Stops 103
14.4.1 /p/, /b/
In both languages, /p/ and /b/ are bilabial stops, but whereas
in English they are pronounced with the lips in a more or less
relaxed neutral position (i.e. in the position they occupy when
the mouth is closed in a normal way), in French the lips are
to some extent pursed or protruded – this is connected with
the fact that the articulation of French is characterized in
general by much greater muscular tension than that of English
(see 3.1).
14.4.2 /t/, /d/
The point of articulation in French is further forward than in
English. In English, the tongue normally makes contact with
the alveolar ridge behind the top teeth (see 2.5.2), but in French
the point of articulation is the top teeth (though there is also
contact with the front part of the alveoli, particularly in the
case of /d/). The acoustic difference is slight but nevertheless
noticeable. It may help native-speakers of English to produce
a French-sounding /t/ or /d/ if they observe their own pronunciation
of words or phrases in which /t/ or /d/ is followed
immediately by /θ/ (voiceless th), e.g. eighth /eitθ/, at three /ct
θri/, width /widθ/, a bad thing /c bæd θiŋ/, in which context
the point of articulation of /t/ and /d/ is the teeth (indeed, the
point of articulation here may well be further forward than in
the case of French /t/ and /d/).
14.4.3 /k/, /g/
These are generally classified as velar stops with reference
to both English and French, but, in reality, in both languages
the point of articulation varies according to what vowel follows.
Before a back vowel such as those of English cool, call,
good, gone, etc., contact is made between the back of the
tongue and the back of the velum (or soft palate) but, before
a front vowel such as that of English keen, geese, and even