>Every language has certain peculiarities (or quirks) with regards to reading rules. In French, for example, the ending letter may or may not be pronounced depending on the next word. So saying that a word is pronounced so-and-so is never absolutely true. Which makes words in a sentence (in French) sound like all being one word. This makes it difficult to understand the speech for those who are not native to the language. This is, at least, so far my experience in listening to French speech. Nevertheless, I love the sound of French and the process of learning it. Ca va :).

Yes, and it's even more complicated if the words are in a poem or musical lyrics, where syllables are pronounced when they normally wouldn't be to keep the meter.

I learned French grammar in school and I thought I'd boost my French pronunciation by listening to French music - especially Carmen - one of my favorite operas. I also got some of Edith Piaf's songs.

I still pronounce some of the words the way I heard them in the lyrics.. and that is often incorrect in normal conversation.