I had German for three years in high school, and throughout those three years I was always taught the "-ch" sounds(such as ichand dich) was pronounced as a "k" sound. But only recently I've discovered that native speakers pronounce it more as a "shh" sound. Like "eek" versus "eesch". What is the correct way to say it? Is the "k" pronunciation just part of the English accent on German, and can people in Germany recognize where we're from based on it? Or what's the deal? Thanks!
2007-03-19 08:33:38 · 4 answers · asked by soulintent 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
The "k" pronunciation is the classic mark of a non-native German speaker. It is part of the Berlin dialect, but it's not standard German.
"Ch" actually has two pronunciations. After front vowels, as in "ich", "dich", "sich", "echt", etc., it's pronounced as an alveolar fricative - what you perceive as similar to a sh" sound. :) Some English native speakers (chiefly British) pronounce "huge" with the same sound at the beginning, so that might help you some. Generally, put your tongue in the same position as for "t", but then try to make a hissing sound instead.
The second pronunciation happens after back vowels, in words like "acht", "lachen", "Loch". This sound is pronounced in the back of the throat - most English native speakers say it sounds like Klingon to them. ;)
It's hard to explain this in writing, so the best thing for you to do would be to either practice with a native speaker, or get some recordings of natively spoken Germans (like a DVD with a German soundtrack, e.g. "Run, Lola, run!", listen to them, and try to copy them as closely as possible.
2007-03-19 09:02:24 · answer #1 · answered by Ms. S 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I've heard both ways and been taught both ways. When I went to Heidelberg last year I heard the k-ish version when talking to a couple of people but when I speak German with a work friend who's from Germany she pronounces the same words with the sh sound. I think different German-speaking places just pronounce it differently.
2016-03-29 06:24:50 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i've taken german for 2 years and have been taught that when you pronounce -ch in a word other than Ich or Dich, it's like hocking up spit. in ich and dich, it's a "k" sound.
2007-03-19 08:57:30 · answer #3 · answered by Iris 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
it's pronounced like the spanish (J) ,, I don't think that sound exists in English ..
(u know that sound some ppl make while snoring? it's similar to that)
2007-03-19 09:49:39 · answer #4 · answered by TearDrop 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋