Speech work - consonants /k/ and /g/. - JSS2 English language Lesson Note
Consonants /k/ and /g/
/k/:
The /k/ sound is produced when the back of the tongue touches the soft part of the roof of the mouth (velum), creating a complete blockage of airflow. This blockage is then released explosively, without vibration of the vocal cords, resulting in a voiceless sound.
We encounter the /k/ sound in various spelling forms, such as:
- “k” as in king, ken, keep, kit
- “c” as in coat, case, across, car
- “cc” as in account, accuse, accost, accord
- “ch” as in chemistry, chemical, school, ache
- “q” as in liquor, queen, quick, marque
- “ck” as in back, sack, lack, peck
- ‘’x’’ as in six, anxious, axe, axis
However, it's important to note that the “k” is usually silent when appearing before “n”, as seen in words like know, knock, knew, knee, knot, etc.
/g/:
/g/ is the voiced counterpart of /k/, meaning the process of producing /g/ is similar to /k/ except that the vocal cords vibrate. So, when making the /g/ sound, the back of the tongue also contacts the soft part of the roof of the mouth (velum), but with vocal cord vibration.
We typically see the /g/ sound represented by the letter “g” and occasionally by “gh”, as in words like give and ghost. However, there are exceptions where the “g” is silent, such as before “n” at the beginning or end of words (e.g., gnaw, gnash, gnat) and before “m” at the end of words (e.g., paradigm, diaphragm).
Practice:
Let's practice pronouncing some words with the /g/ sound:
- go / egg
- good / leg
- get / rug
- gate / pig
Now, let's contrast the /k/ and /g/ sounds by pronouncing pairs of words:
| /k/ | /g/ | /k/ | /g/ |
|----------------|----------------|---------------|---------------|
| cake | game | pack | page |
| key | guy | tick | big |
| cut | gut | lock | log |
| kite | guide | speak | giggle |
Practice these words to get comfortable with the distinction between the /k/ and /g/ sounds.