When ‘G’ Says ‘J’ In English Words – Pronunciation Training With Esther Bruhl
Hi from Speak More Clearly, it’s Esther here!
In this video, I’ll teach you some rules so you know when the letter ‘g’ is said as a ‘j’ sound for clear English pronunciation.
I’m going to hold up some objects and see if you can figure out the rule. I’ll give you a hint. Notice what letter comes after the ‘g’ in each word. Practice with me!
When ‘g’ says ‘j’ in English words:
1. Gel /dʒel/
2. Ginger /ˈdʒɪn.dʒɚ/
3. Page /peɪdʒ/
Example: Whoops! There’s my page.
4. Angel /ˈeɪn.dʒəl/
Example: There’s my angel with the bells.
5. Giraffe /dʒɪˈræf/
Example: There’s my little giraffe. He’s a little bit worse for wear. He’s lost an ear.
6. Egypt iː.dʒɪpt/
Example: I’m sorry but I couldn’t bring Egypt here so I’ve got a map.
NOTE: If a ‘g’ is followed by an /e/, an /i/, or a ‘y’ letter, the ‘g’ says ‘j’ as in jump. Now make sure you’re saying a proper ‘j’ and not /a/ as in Asia. ‘j’ it’s short and the sound is pushed out in a short burst. The same as you do for /ch/.
There are only a very few exceptions to this rule. Two of the most common ones you already know girl and get. According to the rule, they should be /gerl/ and /jet/.
Words where the ‘g’ is followed by the /e/ letter:
1. Agent /ˈeɪ.dʒənt/
The /e/ is said as a short schwa vowel, the weak form vowel in English.
We have specific training on the schwa vowel, a very important vowel to speak with correct English stress and rhythm, in our accent reduction courses.
2. Gel and Ginger
There are two examples of the rule in this one word, ‘g’ ‘i’ and ‘g’ ‘e’
3. Wedge /wedʒ/
4. Large /lɑːrdʒ/
5. Cage /keɪdʒ/
6. Emergency /ɪˈmɝː.dʒən.si/
7. Legend /ˈledʒ.ənd/
8. Generous /ˈdʒen.ər.əs/
Words where the ‘g’ is followed by an ‘i’ vowel:
1. Allergic /əˈlɝː.dʒɪk/
2. Engineer /ˌen.dʒɪˈnɪr/
Make sure the ‘e’ is long enough.
3. Giant /ˈdʒaɪ.ənt/
4. Biologist /baɪˈɑː.lə.dʒɪst/
In English, the ‘i’ says ‘i’.
5. Region /ˈriː.dʒən/
6. Fragile /ˈfrædʒ.əl/
Words where the ‘g’ is followed by a ‘y’ letter:
1. Energy /ˈen.ɚ.dʒi/
2. Biology /baɪˈɑː.lə.dʒi/
3. Gym /dʒɪm/
4. Mythology /mɪˈθɑː.lə.dʒi/
5. Allergy /ˈæl.ɚ.dʒi/
6. Cycle /ˈsaɪ.kəl/
7. Cyst /sɪst/
8. Bicycle /ˈbaɪ.sə.kəl/
At least there’s one rule in English that doesn’t have many exceptions.
We hope you enjoyed this free English pronunciation training video and learned some practical tips.
If you had fun in this video and want to practice some more, learn how to say ‘i’ and ‘ee’ sounds for clear English pronunciation.
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