Today in our IPA/Pronunciation class, we will be focusing on something especially difficult for Spanish speakers, distinguishing (and later pronouncing) words that end in /k/ and /g/ sounds.
As per our lesson on “TIPICO” and “DABAGA” we know Spanish speakers have a tendency to relax these sounds between vowels and at the ends of words. Thus making it difficult for them to distinguish words like back and bag
And if its difficult for Spanish speakers, that means those learning Spanish should pay extra attention – to intentionally make those same “mistakes” while speaking Spanish! To relax these consonant sounds much more so!
What’s wonderful about multilingual pronunciation practice, is that the same tips can always be applied in both directions. Learners of both Spanish and English can gain quite a lot from practicing minimal pairs in both languages!
Final /k/ vs. /g/ – Word List
| back | /bæk/ | bag | /bæg/ |
| pick | /pʰɪk/ | pig | /pʰɪg/ |
| clock | /kʰlɑk/ | clog | /kʰlɑg/ |
| dock | /dɑk/ | dag | /dɑg/ |
| duck | /dʌk/ | dug | /dʌg/ |
| frock | /fɹɑk/ | frag | /fɹɑg/ |
| muck | /mʌk/ | mug | /mʌg/ |
| block | /blɑk/ | blag | /blɑg/ |
| brick | /bɹɪk/ | brig | /bɹɪg/ |
| broke | /bɹoʊk/ | brogue | /bɹoʊg/ |
| crack | /kʰɹæk/ | crag | /kʰɹæg/ |
| jock | /dʒɑk/ | jog | /dʒɑg/ |
| lack | /læk/ | lag | /læg/ |
| leak | /lik/ | league | /lig/ |
| lock | /lɑk/ | lag | /lɑg/ |
| luck | /lʌk/ | lug | /lʌg/ |
| pluck | /pʰlʌk/ | plug | /pʰlʌg/ |
| rack | /ɹæk/ | rag | /ɹæg/ |
| ruck | /ɹʌk/ | rug | /ɹʌg/ |
| sack | /sæk/ | sag | /sæg/ |
| snack | /snæk/ | snag | /snæg/ |
| flock | /flɑk/ | flog | /flɑg/ |
So we practice these sounds by playing our “DECODE THE MESSAGE” game, as well as a full-on Bingo!
