TITLE:
Contrastive Analysis of Phonological Segments of Kabiyè and French in a Teaching/Learning Perspective
AUTHORS:
Iréwolé Mossokpe, Mimboabe Bakpa
KEYWORDS:
Kabiyè, French, Contrastive Phonology, Teaching/Learning, Multilingualism
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Access Library Journal,
Vol.12 No.12,
December
25,
2025
ABSTRACT: This article offers a contrastive analysis of the phonological segments of Kabiyè and French and presents an integrated teaching framework for teaching French in multilingual environments. It identifies critical contrasts, particularly rounded and nasal vowels, uvular consonants, and palatal fricatives. The study guides targeted pedagogical interventions. The framework consists of three components: the involvement of speech organs, the application of verbo-tonal method, and the use of minimal pairs. Through articulation activities, prosodic exercises, and minimal pairs, the educational program aims to strengthen perception and production, reduce recurring errors, and improve the intelligibility of Kabiyè-French interlanguage. Multidimensional assessment protocols and multimodal feedback support longitudinal progress monitoring. The outlook highlights the expansion of the framework to other languages in the region and to various professional and educational contexts, while calling for contextual assessment tools and adaptable teaching resources. The article nevertheless proposes a methodological and empirical approach to facilitate the mastery of French word spelling by Kabiyè learners and to guide practical implementation in teaching practices.