This language differentiates front-rounded from back-rounded vowels, as in vu, "seen" & vous, "you"
The front vowels [e, E, and a] are unrounded just like [i]; the 
back [DOC] [TLE] An Introduction to French Pronunciation - Scribd [PAR] The series will cover the major European languages, including French, German, 
... and IPA Symbols Front Unrounded Vowels Front Rounded Vowels Mute e 
Back ... /a/  Low Back Rounded 10.2 /i/  High Front Unrounded 10.11 
Unvoicing of ...... 5 Rule 4: within a group.