Unique, Cheque, etc.

English Student   Fri Sep 22, 2006 6:00 am GMT
I'm having problems with these following words. How do I pronunce the 'que' at the ending of these following words?

Also I would like the origin or backgroup of these words?
George   Fri Sep 22, 2006 6:26 am GMT
Try replacing the 'que' with a 'k' and you should be able to get the pronunciation right.

unique oblique technique pique physique critique antique mystique plaque opaque cheque discothèque baroque arabesque brusque torque burlesque humoresque picturesque grotesque statuesque bisque macaque mosque...

English words that end with 'que' are usually, but not always, derived from French.
English Student   Fri Sep 22, 2006 6:53 am GMT
Thankyou George.

I was wondering if the pronunciation of these words of French origin have retrained their orginal pronunciation?
George   Fri Sep 22, 2006 7:13 am GMT
If you meant to say "retained" then no. Native English speakers would pronounce these words differently from their original French pronunciations.
George   Fri Sep 22, 2006 7:16 am GMT
<<Native English speakers would pronounce these words differently from their original French pronunciations.>>

I should rephrase that and say "most of these words".
Q   Fri Sep 22, 2006 2:53 pm GMT
Some of them there words have different vowels in them: like opaque [opek], bisque [bIsk], physique [fIzik], etc.