Conflict Zones between the Written Norm and Spoken French and Some Issues in Teaching French Pronunciation to Bulgarians

Outlining the context of increased attention to linguistic issues in French society, the article introduces a number of concepts related to the definition of norm types in the French language, specifies nuances in the terminology adopted in the main grammars of the French language and in some new publications in the field of French phonetics, phonology and sociolinguistics. Two phonetic phenomena (liaison and French schwa) have been outlined as conflict zones between the written norm and oral speech in the phonetic implementation of the graphic elements of the spelling system. Due to the substantial divergence between oral and written code in these phenomena, as well as in relation to the multitude of factors that intervene in deciding on their (non)realization, they are at the root of serious difficulties in learning French pronunciation. The article offers some tips for emphasizing their teaching.