Todas as unidades

Unit 12: Velar Consonants

Velar stops made with the back of the tongue against the soft palate.

Lições

/k/Sound /k/6 palavras/g/Sound /g/6 palavras/k/vs/g/Pair /k/ vs /g/12 palavras

Unit 12 Guide: Velar Consonants

This unit focuses on the velar stops /k/ and /g/. They are produced at the same place of articulation but differ in voicing and aspiration.

How to pronounce:

  • Raise the back of the tongue to touch the soft palate (velum).
  • Build up air pressure behind the closure, then release it as a small explosion.
  • /k/ is voiceless and aspirated at the start of stressed syllables (a small puff of air follows).
  • /g/ is voiced — your vocal cords vibrate during the closure and release.

Key contrasts:

  • Voicing only: coat /k/ vs goat /g/.
  • Aspiration: feel a strong puff on key, almost none on ski.

Common pitfalls:

  • Confusing /k/ and /g/ at the end of words (back vs bag).
  • Dropping aspiration on stressed initial /k/.
  • Letting /g/ devoice into /k/ in final position.