C'est Passionnant!

[s], [z] followed by [j]

In all languages, sounds affect each other when they find themselves in proximity.  One common process is called assimilation.  In this process, a sound will take on one or more characteristics of its neighbor or the neighboring sounds may merge into a new one.  Which sounds affect which other sounds with what results is different from language to language.

In English, when sibilants (such as [s] or [z]) occur before a jod [j] (that's a y sound), they combine.  So when you say the word "special", the [s] and [j] combine to form a "sh" sound. You don't say "spesyal" but "speshal."  Something similar happens with [t] and [d] before [j].  If you say the phrase "what you said" at a fairly quick speed, you don't pronounce each sound clearly, but you combine the "what you" into "whatcha".  And no, you're not being lazy when you do that, no matter what Miss Talkright told you in grade school.  It's a normal, linguistic process.

Well, in French, that doesn't happen.  Other processes do occur, but not this one.  So, in order to sound more French and less American, remember to pronounce your [s], [z], [t], [d] separately from your [j].

Compare the following French and English words: