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To: "vocalist" <vocalist>
Subject: Diction
Date sent: Wed, 9 Feb 2000 00:56:27 -0200
Send reply to: VOCALIST <vocalist>

I have a French student and getting her to sing in English is really
interesting -- she tends to over-open vowels, really distorting their
pronunciation. I have to find French equivalents and have her rewrite the word
so that she can give it a better pronunciation

I am not sure this can help you ,but there are some books for English as a Second Language that may help you: Teaching American English Pronunciation, P. Avery and S. Ehrlich, Oxford University Press. This book has a chapter where problem sounds for each nationality are pointed out.
Manual of American English Pronunciation, C. Prattor and B. Robinett, Harcourt Brace. A classic.
Clear Speech - pronuncation and Listening Comprehension in north American English, by J. Gilbert, Cambridge University Press. with very clear pictures, may help a lot in visualization.

Best REgards
Caio