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

[laepelba]

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!!

[chileno]

Originally Posted by laepelba

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.

[laepelba]

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............

[AngelicaDeAlquezar]

"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")

[laepelba]

Originally Posted by AngelicaDeAlquezar

"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.......

[AngelicaDeAlquezar]

Correct.

When "g" is "fuerte", the change in conjugation needs it to be replaced by a "j".

[pjt33]

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).

[Perikles]

Originally Posted by pjt33

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.

[irmamar]

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)

[laepelba]

Originally Posted by irmamar

Maybe this link is useful

YES! That link is wonderful! Thank you!!

Originally Posted by irmamar

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!!

[Perikles]

Originally Posted by irmamar

Maybe this link is useful

Very interesting, thanks. Having listened to the ð sound 20 times, I now know I am deaf, whereas I have always thought I had exceptionally sensitive ears.

[irmamar]

Originally Posted by Perikles

Very interesting, thanks. Having listened to the ð sound 20 times, I now know I am deaf, whereas I have always thought I had exceptionally sensitive ears.

In Spanish from Spain, we don't have neither palato-alveolar fricative nor affricate voiced sounds: /dʒ/ and /ð/ (just in some areas).

[pjt33]

Originally Posted by Perikles

Not wishing to be argumentative, I don't quite see how a consonant can have a pitch.

What I'm hearing isn't entirely natural, because by stopping before the vowel I'm turning a plosive into an ejective, but it very definitely has a different frequency distribution.