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French spelling refers to the specific written form of the French language, which has its own unique rules and conventions. It involves the use of 26 letters from the Latin alphabet, along with diacritical marks such as accents and cedillas, to represent the sounds of French words. French spelling is known for its complexities, including silent letters, multiple ways to pronounce certain letter combinations, and rules regarding word stress and accent placement. Mastering French spelling requires a deep understanding of these principles, as well as practice and familiarity with common vocabulary and spellings. Some key aspects of French spelling include: * Accents and diacritical marks: These are used to indicate the pronunciation of certain letters or letter combinations in French words. For example, the acute accent (é) indicates that the preceding vowel should be pronounced with a high tone, while the cedilla (ç) changes the sound of the letter "c" from a hard "k" to a soft "s". * Silent letters: Many French words contain silent letters that are not pronounced. For example, the letter "h" is often silent in French words, as in "homme" (man). * Letter combinations and ligatures: Certain letter combinations in French words represent specific sounds or pronunciations. For example, the digraph "ou" represents a different sound than the letter "u" alone, while the ligature "æ" is used to represent a unique vowel sound in some French words. * Word stress and accent placement: In French, word stress typically falls on the last syllable of a word, although there are exceptions to this rule. Accent marks are also used to indicate stress or emphasis in certain contexts. Overall, French spelling is an essential aspect of learning and communicating in the French language, requiring attention to detail and a deep understanding of the principles and conventions that govern written French.