Shahin A1

Question

Bonjour,
Could you please explain, why during the pronunciation of "Il est une heure" the letter "t" connects to "une" but in "Il est onze heures" the letter "t" does not connect to "onze"? Is there any specific rule in this regard?

Accepted Answer

Bonjour Shahin,
Maarten is correct that most of the time the liaison with "onze" is forbidden.

Mes onze frères et sœurs sont bruyants. = My eleven brothers and sisters are loud. 
Je reviens le onze février = I come back on February 11th.
Commencez à lire le chapitre onze. = Start reading chapter 11.

However, the liaison between "est" and "une heure" / "onze heures" is optional when they are both times here.
I would say most French native speakers do not produce the liaison in these specific cases.
I hope this is helpful.
Bonne journée !

Answer

Shahin,

According to the following references, ' la liaison ' with ‘ onze ‘ is not optional but ‘ interdite ‘. The series of articles on the site by Laura Lawless are worth looking at to understand the different categories of liaison.

The liaison here is optional with ‘ une ‘ though.

https://dictionnaire.lerobert.com/guide/liaisons-et-enchainements

https://www.rtl.fr/culture/arts-spectacles/les-regles-a-respecter-pour-ne-plus-faire-de-fautes-de-liaisons-7795615531

https://www.lawlessfrench.com/pronunciation/forbidden-liaisons/

Canadian reference notes very limited exceptions for Canadian French at least, with liaison involving ‘onze ‘, but otherwise also confirms liaison is ‘forbidden’.

https://vitrinelinguistique.oqlf.gouv.qc.ca/23140/la-prononciation/prononciation-des-nombres/prononciation-de-onze-et-de-onzieme