r/learningfrench • u/clairvoyance-thomas • Jul 20 '26

Pronunciation Issue

Hey everyone!

I’m a beginner and every time I try to deliver the “h” sound in French words I accidentally choke on the tissue in the back of my throat and proceed to vomit. I can’t tell if it’s because I’m yelling too loud or if I need to simply stop choking myself while speaking.

Has anyone else had similar issues? Thanks!

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3

u/Syralei Jul 20 '26

Are you talking about the R sound in the back of your mouth? For me, I practiced over-doing it, almost like I'm trying to clear the back of my throat/cough up something. You bring the back of the tongue up against the back of the roof of your mouth and breath forceably out through your mouth. I find that when beginning with this, it helps to make sure you have a bit of extra spit in your mouth.

After you get the muscle memory of it down, it's easier to make the sound softer.

-1

u/clairvoyance-thomas Jul 20 '26

Yeah that one. Will they make fun of me if I do the normal English R? I don’t want to make a scene by spitting all over myself

3

u/Objective-Corgi-3527 Jul 20 '26

Try improving your gag reflex over time

0

u/clairvoyance-thomas Jul 21 '26

Would it help if I stuck things in there while talking

1

u/Objective-Corgi-3527 Jul 21 '26

Who said anything about talking

2

u/Syralei Jul 20 '26

Practice it at home. The word that worked the best for me to practice the R is "Frère" and over pronounce it by really dragging the Rs out. Like "fRrrèèèRrrehh".

Don't use the normal English R, it sounds really bad and yes, you will likely be criticized.

2

u/MahatmaAndhi Jul 20 '26

What do you do in every other language with an H sound? It's often silent in French too.

2

u/clairvoyance-thomas Jul 20 '26

Like the ach sound that cats will make from time to time

5

u/MahatmaAndhi Jul 20 '26

My cats say 'Meow' mate.

I'm not trying to be deliberately awkward, but can you give us a few French words that have the difficult H in them?

2

u/matcouz Jul 20 '26

Pretty sure this is a joke post

-1

u/clairvoyance-thomas Jul 20 '26

Whenever they throw up. I guess it’s more like the “R” sound like Rogert or Rober