(snip)
 
 >> The 'min' is easy (remember your French, "add any letter you like on the
end, >>  just *never* pronounce it.").
 
Unless there's an e -- then you're allowed to pronounce the letter before it.
 
As for the last syllable (-man), I'll agree with Mr. Boyd.  It's not just ma,
because this is more like "maw" or "mah."  It's actually got some kind of nasal
stop at the end, like your nose just stopped.  As a matter of fact, that's what
to do to get it right -- use your nose to pronounce the "n" instead of your
mouth or tongue.  I know that seems disgusting but the sound is actually
wonderful.
 
-- Marise "unabashed lover of well-spoken French" Gwin