Diphthongization in Canadian French

The phonology of Canadian French is quite different from that of European French. One area in which the two varieties differ is diphthongization. Many words with long vowels and nasal vowels which have  monophthongs in European French can have diphthongs in Canadian French.

The following words can be realized with diphthongs in Canadian French:

banque (bank)

fête (party)

four (oven)

glaçon (icicle)

livre (book)

neutre (neutral)

pause (pause)

quinze (fifteen)

son (sound)

un (one)

The use of diphthongization in Canadian French varies. It is most common in informal situations. In certain words such as fête (party) and pause (pause) it is very common, but in others such as banque (bank) and glaçon (icicle), many speakers do not diphthongize.

Diphthongization is more common in Canadian French than in European French. However, the use of diphthongs varies from one speaker to another. It is most common in informal situations.