final s in foreign words in French

[Alain Dawson]

As a french, it seems to me that "mas" can be read indiferently [mas] and
[ma]. The problem is that this word is not a purely french word, but was
recently borrowed to Occitan (the  set of dialects spoken in southern
France). On the other hand, this is an example of normal free variation
even in such a strongly fixed language as French. This is another example=
 :
"ananas" can be read with or without the final [s]. Good luck with french
grammar and phonology !

----------
> De : Georges Adassovsky <gadassov at mail.pf>
> A : Multiple recipients of list SEELANGS <SEELANGS at CUNYVM>
> Objet : Re: final s in foreign words in French
> Date=A0: mardi 22 avril 1997 18:50
>=20
> Yesterday I wrote:
>=20
>=20
> >Mas, kind of farm, is pronounced "ma".
>=20
> I checked the dictionary: "mas" may be pronounced "ma" as well as "mas".
> I've always heard it pronounced "ma".
>=20
> Regards,
>=20
>=20
> Georges Adassovsky
> E-Mail : Gadassov at mail.pf
> S-Mail : B.P. 380330 Tamanu, 98718 Punaauia, French Polynesia.
> Tel 689 58 38 40 home, 689 58 37 37 office (GMT - 12)
>=20
>=20