Yes, the French "r" can indeed have different sounds depending on its position and surrounding letters. In French, the "r" is known for its varied pronunciation. Here are the main variations:
Voiced uvular fricative /ʁ/: This is the most common pronunciation of the French "r." It is a guttural sound produced at the back of the throat. It is similar to the "r" sound in some German dialects or the "ch" sound in Scottish "loch." Examples include "garçon" (boy) and "restaurant."
Voiced alveolar trill /r/: In some regions, particularly in southern France, the "r" is pronounced as a rolled or trilled sound, similar to the Spanish "rr." This trilled "r" is typically heard when the "r" is at the beginning of a word or after the consonants "l" or "n." For example, "rouge" (red) or "français" (French).
Voiced uvular approximant /ʁ/: In certain contexts, the "r" can be pronounced as a softer, more relaxed sound. It is less guttural than the first variation mentioned above. This pronunciation is often heard when the "r" is between two vowels or at the end of a word. For instance, "amour" (love) or "parler" (to speak).
It's important to note that the specific pronunciation of the French "r" can vary depending on the speaker's regional accent or personal articulation. It may take practice and exposure to different French speakers to develop a natural-sounding French "r" pronunciation.