Practice the velar stop consonants, k vs g
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| This is the k sound. And this is the g sound. By the end of this lesson, you'll be able to tell them apart, PLUS you'll be practicing them and on your way to perfect pronunciation! |
| I'm Doria, and this is French Pronunciation Through Minimal Pairs. |
| First is k. This is the k sound in café, cinq, cas, and other words. |
| g is the d sound in grand, goût, baguette and other words. |
| k and g are called "plosives" or "stop consonants" because they are pronounced by completely blocking the airflow and then releasing it. |
| To make the French k sound, try saying "sky," as the k in "sky" is less aspirated, similar to the French k. Keep the back of your tongue against the soft palate and release it without a strong puff of air. |
| k |
| [3 sec pause] |
| k (enunciated) |
| [3 sec pause] |
| k |
| k |
| [3 sec pause] |
| k (enunciated) |
| [3 sec pause] |
| k |
| The French g sound is more voiced than the English g sound. To pronounce it, engage your vocal cords more fully, ensuring a stronger vibration as you release the back of your tongue from the soft palate. |
| g |
| [3 sec pause] |
| g (enunciated) |
| [3 sec pause] |
| g |
| g |
| [3 sec pause] |
| g (enunciated) |
| [3 sec pause] |
| g |
| The difference between these two sounds is about whether your vocal folds vibrate or not. |
| /k/ is voiceless, and /g/ is voiced |
| When you pronounce /k/, like in café, |
| your vocal cords do not vibrate. |
| When you pronounce /g/, like in gare, |
| your vocal cords do vibrate. |
| So, Listen to the difference and repeat after me. |
| k g |
| [3 sec pause] |
| k g (enunciated). |
| [3 sec pause] |
| k g |
| k g |
| [3 sec pause] |
| k g (enunciated). |
| [3 sec pause] |
| k g |
| So try to focus on whether your vocal folds vibrate or not when you pronounce these two sounds. |
| Listen and repeat or speak along with me. |
| Ready? |
| cou/goût |
| (space for repetition) |
| cou/goût |
| cri/gris |
| (space for repetition) |
| cri/gris |
| Let's review. Respond to the prompts by speaking aloud. Then, repeat after me, focusing on pronunciation. |
| Do you remember the sound that's voiced? |
| (3) |
| (2) |
| (1) |
| g |
| (1) |
| g |
| And the voiceless sound? |
| (3) |
| (2) |
| (1) |
| k |
| (1) |
| k |
| Let's practice. |
| Compare the sounds in these two words. Which word has the voiced sound, and which has the voiceless sound? |
| cou/goût |
| (1) |
| cou/goût |
| (1) |
| Gôut has the voiced sound, and cou has the voiceless sound. |
| Let's try another. |
| (3 sec pause) |
| cri/gris |
| (1) |
| cri/gris |
| (1) |
| Gris has the voiced sound, and cri has the voiceless sound. |
| Let's try one more. |
| (3 sec pause) |
| bac/bague |
| (1) |
| bac/bague |
| (1) |
| Bague has the voiced sound, and bac has the voiceless sound. |
| Now listen to the following sentences. Which words have the voiced sound and which have the voiceless sound? |
| (1 sec pause) |
| Ne gaspille pas une goutte d'eau, cela coûte cher ! |
| goutte, coûte |
| (3 sec pause) |
| Comme un cri, l'orage gronde dans le ciel gris. |
| (3 sec pause) |
| gris, cri |
| (3 sec pause) |
| Read the following sentence out loud, focusing on the different sounds. |
| Ma bague est tombée dans le bac à linge. |
| (3 sec pause) |
| bague, bac |
| By the way, if you watched til the end |
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