2007-05-06 21:55:10 · 12 answers · asked by shadowfax . 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
It varies somewhat depending on region/dialect; however, the standard pronunciation could be dscribed as follows.
If you pronounce the English word "huge" and listen carefully, you will hear a slight "scraping" at the back of the mouth; now, if you try and pronounce that sound without the "..uge" on the end, you should end up with a sound pretty close to the "ch" in "ich"; this does sound a little like "sh" but "sh" is pronounced at the front of the mouth and the "ch" in "ich" towards the back.
This sound of "ch" occurs only adjacent to "front vowels": ä, e, i, ö and ü (also "y", but I can't think of any words offhand where the combinantion "ych" or "...chy" occurs).
Adjacent to back vowels: a, o, u, au etc, is has the "scrapy " back-of-the-throat sound associated with the name "Bach", and often represented "kh" in phonetic spelling.
2007-05-06 22:13:14 · answer #1 · answered by GrahamH 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Germany is a pretty large country and there are dialects in German just as there are in any language. The German spoken in the southern regions, around Badenwurternberg, has a harder sound (ikh). The German in the northern areas tends to be softer, (ish).
Of course, with travel, you will have all dialects mixed up everywhere, just as you may find a Southern belle in New York.
2007-05-06 22:03:55 · answer #2 · answered by Steterson 1 · 7⤊ 2⤋
Hi! German word ich is pronounced 'ikh'. Actually, bette said as 'ich' just as you see it. And that's how simple it is! Hope I helped! xx
2007-05-07 02:14:04 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
it is not pronounced like the kh sound (IPA [ix]) in the spanish word: josé, jalapeña etc, but more like a hissing sound coming from both sides of you tongue... in the IPA, it's transcripted as [iç] and you could compare it to the 'huge' word although it's not aspired.
'ish' and 'ick' exist in certain parts of the country, but they are NOT the standard pronounciation!!!
try listening exercices and comprehension on the web...
2007-05-06 23:09:33 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on where in Germany you are, North or South. Nonetheless, in Hochdeutsch, it'd be "eehk" (but pronounce the "hk" like a cat's hissing sound (from the back of the throat (very breathy))).
2007-05-06 22:00:54 · answer #5 · answered by Appaloosa88 2 · 5⤊ 1⤋
I find it's pronounced whatever way I don't pronounce it.
In Switzerland, it's sometimes almost like "ear".
2007-05-06 22:07:57 · answer #6 · answered by Goddess of Grammar 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
My experiance, Hessen, Westphalia (Ish), Berlin and the north (Ick).
2007-05-06 22:00:26 · answer #7 · answered by Army Retired Guy 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋
"Ikch"
the hardness of the 'k' is regional.
Most Germans pronounce it "Ihhhh" with the tiniest hint of 'k'
2007-05-06 23:16:35 · answer #8 · answered by Yer Acker I be 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"Ich" is pronounced like (ikh)
2007-05-07 00:01:43 · answer #9 · answered by usbc s 4 · 0⤊ 4⤋
Of course as 'ich'; ask them if you don't believe me!
2007-05-06 22:04:32 · answer #10 · answered by autor06hj 2 · 0⤊ 4⤋