...that starts with the letter "g" makes a "juh" or a "guh" sound? Like "get" vs. "gentle"? How can I explain to someone who doesn't speak English what the rule is for "g" or "j" sound?
2007-10-25 06:50:49 · 7 answers · asked by FUNdie 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
Unfortunately, English has no hard-and-fast rules about anything.
But generally, if the "g" is followed by an "e" or "y" it is pronounced as a soft "g" or a "j." "Get" is an exception. Think of "gel" "gentry" "general" or "gentleman," or "gyroscope."
If the "g" is followed by an "a" "i" "o" "u" or a consonant, then the hard "g" is generally used. Think of "gallery" "gill" "gopher" or "gullible."
English is a difficult language, but learning it will pay benefits in the long run.
2007-10-25 07:00:03 · answer #1 · answered by Rick K 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Most "g" words have a hard "g" sound. If the "g" is followed by "ia" it has a soft (j) sound. There are a few words that your friend will have to memorize, like gentle, but there are not that many. If you look at a dictionary at the "g" words, you will find very few that have the "j" sound.
They say that English is one of the hardest languages to master. This is one reason why, too many different pronunciations of each letter or letter combination.
Actually, I like Rick K's answer better!!!!!
2007-10-25 14:00:13 · answer #2 · answered by Denise P 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think so.....???? It's just something that has to be learned
The English language he quite complex as there is always something that goes against rules anyway.
Like the rule i before e except after c... there are exceptions.
Rhyming words are spelled almost the same... male, tale, bale, pale.. Then we have surgeon and virgin......
The example you give is something that one just has to learn by memory that one letter can have several different sounds.....
2007-10-25 14:01:58 · answer #3 · answered by ♥♥The Queen Has Spoken♥♥ 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
G is tough. Not only do you have the sound variations, but then you have the silent G, like in "gnat."
The English language is truly one of the most difficult to master. And there aren't many hard & fast rules to go by.
2007-10-25 13:53:25 · answer #4 · answered by kja63 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
There is no rule. Whether it is pronounced /j/ or /g/ depends on the origin of the word. Words from Latin or French tends to be pronounced with /j/, and Germanic words tend to have /g/.
2007-10-25 18:19:45 · answer #5 · answered by ganesh 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I'm afraid not , well sometimes you just have to learn by your heart
2007-10-25 13:59:11 · answer #6 · answered by Nuwanda 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
tell him or her
gentleman
and
junk
rule: it surely could'nt be jentleman...LOL!!!!!!!!!
2007-10-25 13:54:35 · answer #7 · answered by Krypton 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋