Ask a Question

(Create a thread)
Go Back   Spanish language learning forums > Spanish & English Languages > Vocabulary


More on pronouncing "g's"....

 

Ask about definitions or translations for Spanish or English words.


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old February 05, 2010, 10:04 AM
laepelba's Avatar
laepelba laepelba is offline
Diamond
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Suburbs of Washington, DC (Northern Virginia)
Posts: 4,683
Native Language: American English (Northeastern US)
laepelba is on a distinguished road
More on pronouncing "g's"....

Before I ask my question, let's start with "ground rules" so that we're all using the same lingo. For the purposes of answering this question, let's say the following:
- when I say "hard g", I mean sounds like the word "agua"
- when I say "soft g", I mean sounds like the word "gente"

Now, on to my question....

I'm reading something about the pronunciation of the present indicative conjugations of the word "seguir". (sigo, sigues, sigue, seguimos, (seguís), siguen). The indication within this reading is that the "g" is pronounced differently in sigues, sigue and siguen. When I say "sigo", I use a hard "g" (like in "agua"). But I use the exact same sound for each of those six conjugations. Is that correct? Or are some of them pronounced differently?

Thanks!!
__________________
- Lou Ann, de Washington, DC, USA
Específicamente quiero recibir ayuda con el español de latinoamerica. ¡Muchísimas gracias!
Reply With Quote
   
Get rid of these ads by registering for a free Tomísimo account.
  #2  
Old February 05, 2010, 10:10 AM
chileno's Avatar
chileno chileno is offline
Diamond
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Las Vegas, USA
Posts: 7,863
Native Language: Castellano
chileno is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by laepelba View Post
Before I ask my question, let's start with "ground rules" so that we're all using the same lingo. For the purposes of answering this question, let's say the following:
- when I say "hard g", I mean sounds like the word "agua"
- when I say "soft g", I mean sounds like the word "gente"

Now, on to my question....

I'm reading something about the pronunciation of the present indicative conjugations of the word "seguir". (sigo, sigues, sigue, seguimos, (seguís), siguen). The indication within this reading is that the "g" is pronounced differently in sigues, sigue and siguen. When I say "sigo", I use a hard "g" (like in "agua"). But I use the exact same sound for each of those six conjugations. Is that correct? Or are some of them pronounced differently?

Thanks!!
Yes they are all pronounced the same way. you didn't need to specify the hard or soft "g" in this one.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old February 05, 2010, 10:14 AM
laepelba's Avatar
laepelba laepelba is offline
Diamond
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Suburbs of Washington, DC (Northern Virginia)
Posts: 4,683
Native Language: American English (Northeastern US)
laepelba is on a distinguished road
I just wanted to make sure to avoid the confusion that was created in a previous discussion when the native Spanish speakers used "hard" and "soft" exactly the opposite of the native English speakers............
__________________
- Lou Ann, de Washington, DC, USA
Específicamente quiero recibir ayuda con el español de latinoamerica. ¡Muchísimas gracias!
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old February 05, 2010, 10:24 AM
AngelicaDeAlquezar's Avatar
AngelicaDeAlquezar AngelicaDeAlquezar is offline
Obsidiana
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Mexico City
Posts: 9,038
Native Language: Mexican Spanish
AngelicaDeAlquezar is on a distinguished road
"Ga" - "go" - "gu" are "suaves" (pronounced like "agua")

"Ge" - "gi" are "fuertes" (like in "gente")

"U" between "g" and "e" or "g" and "i" is not pronounced and it makes "g" sound "suave" (like in "agua")

__________________
Ain't it wonderful to be alive when the Rock'n'Roll plays...
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old February 05, 2010, 10:55 AM
laepelba's Avatar
laepelba laepelba is offline
Diamond
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Suburbs of Washington, DC (Northern Virginia)
Posts: 4,683
Native Language: American English (Northeastern US)
laepelba is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by AngelicaDeAlquezar View Post
"Ga" - "go" - "gu" are "suaves" (pronounced like "agua")

"Ge" - "gi" are "fuertes" (like in "gente")

"U" between "g" and "e" or "g" and "i" is not pronounced and it makes "g" sound "suave" (like in "agua")

Thanks for those rules ... and, thus, all six forms of "seguir" in the present indicative have the "g" pronounced the same.......
__________________
- Lou Ann, de Washington, DC, USA
Específicamente quiero recibir ayuda con el español de latinoamerica. ¡Muchísimas gracias!
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old February 05, 2010, 11:09 AM
AngelicaDeAlquezar's Avatar
AngelicaDeAlquezar AngelicaDeAlquezar is offline
Obsidiana
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Mexico City
Posts: 9,038
Native Language: Mexican Spanish
AngelicaDeAlquezar is on a distinguished road
Correct.

When "g" is "fuerte", the change in conjugation needs it to be replaced by a "j".
__________________
Ain't it wonderful to be alive when the Rock'n'Roll plays...
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old February 05, 2010, 11:15 AM
pjt33's Avatar
pjt33 pjt33 is offline
Diamond
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Valencia, España
Posts: 2,600
Native Language: Inglés (en-gb)
pjt33 is on a distinguished road
After experimenting I conclude that I pronounce them with a different pitch, because my lips are in different positions in preparation for the following vowel (o being more rounded).
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old February 05, 2010, 11:38 AM
Perikles's Avatar
Perikles Perikles is offline
Diamond
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Tenerife
Posts: 4,814
Native Language: Inglés
Perikles is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by pjt33 View Post
After experimenting I conclude that I pronounce them with a different pitch, because my lips are in different positions in preparation for the following vowel (o being more rounded).
Not wishing to be argumentative, I don't quite see how a consonant can have a pitch.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old February 05, 2010, 11:39 AM
irmamar's Avatar
irmamar irmamar is offline
Diamond
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 7,071
Native Language: Español
irmamar is on a distinguished road
Maybe this link is useful

Compare:

Seguir: siga (usted) - That's what you call "hard" and we call "suave"
Exigir: exija (usted) - And just on the contrary.

Proteger - tejer - the same sound (soft-fuerte)

Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old February 05, 2010, 11:43 AM
laepelba's Avatar
laepelba laepelba is offline
Diamond
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Suburbs of Washington, DC (Northern Virginia)
Posts: 4,683
Native Language: American English (Northeastern US)
laepelba is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by irmamar View Post
Maybe this link is useful
YES! That link is wonderful! Thank you!!

Quote:
Originally Posted by irmamar View Post
Compare:

Seguir: siga (usted) - That's what you call "hard" and we call "suave"
Exigir: exija (usted) - And just on the contrary.

Proteger - tejer - the same sound (soft-fuerte)

I definitely understand those sounds. I was just wondering if there is really a difference in the "g's" in the conjugation of seguir... THANKS!!
__________________
- Lou Ann, de Washington, DC, USA
Específicamente quiero recibir ayuda con el español de latinoamerica. ¡Muchísimas gracias!
Reply With Quote
Reply

 

Link to this thread
URL: 
HTML Link: 
BB Code: 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Site Rules

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Question about a couple sentences. "la compro"..."te espero".. ItsThaMonsta Grammar 2 November 09, 2009 06:59 PM
Una oración de un partido de fútbol ("el fraseo" y "para que" bobjenkins Translations 2 September 30, 2009 01:01 PM
Pronouncing the "rr" in Spanish JuanJuan Teaching and Learning Techniques 16 August 10, 2009 06:46 PM
Verbs like "lavar", "cepillar", y "despertar" laepelba Grammar 9 February 02, 2009 03:01 AM


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 05:18 AM.

Forum powered by vBulletin® Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.

X