What is the reason for the accents on the e anyway?

Jack B.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

What is the reason for the accents on the e anyway?

If it can be e acute or e grave why not e natural?  The Academy should give preference to simpler solutions!

Asked 5 years ago
S. H.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Jack,

They are pronounced differently.

In general, one is able to pronounce French words correctly just by looking at their spelling.

This is not the case in English.

Jeremy, L.B2Kwiziq community member
"In general, one is able to pronounce French words correctly just by looking at their spelling"

IMO, There are plenty of French words that are pronounced nothing like how they are spelled (or is it spelt?)

What is the reason for the accents on the e anyway?

If it can be e acute or e grave why not e natural?  The Academy should give preference to simpler solutions!

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