pronounciation of letter C

[skydown13]

In the dictionary the pronounciation of letter C is written as K, such as cool being pronounce as kool. But, words like scale, scar, scallion, scope, and schedule, I feel that the letter C is being pronounced as G, not as K.
Why is that? Am I hearing wrong? :(

[orangutan]

Originally Posted by skydown13

In the dictionary the pronounciation of letter C is written as K, such as cool being pronounce as kool. But, words like scale, scar, scallion, scope, and schedule, I feel that the letter C is being pronounced as G, not as K.
Why is that? Am I hearing wrong? :(

No, you are not hearing wrong at all.

After "s", the English consonant written as (hard) "c" or "k" is unaspirated, whereas it is usually aspirated when it occurs on its own in otherwise similar positions. Since the difference between aspirated and unaspirated [k] is not contrastive in English, they are felt to be a single sound (phoneme). Speakers of Chinese, Thai and other languages where the difference is contrastive, often hear the difference more clearly.

[BobK]

Originally Posted by orangutan

No, you are not hearing wrong at all.

After "s", the English consonant written as (hard) "c" or "k" is unaspirated, whereas it is usually aspirated when it occurs on its own in otherwise similar positions. Since the difference between aspirated and unaspirated [k] is not contrastive in English, they are felt to be a single sound (phoneme). Speakers of Chinese, Thai and other languages where the difference is contrastive, often hear the difference more clearly.

But the voiced and unvoiced velar stop (/g/ : /k/) is contrastive, so they are separate phonemes. It's interesting that the OP heard the difference in aspiration but not the difference in voicing.

(A similar mishearing - hearing aspiration but not voicing - accounts for the English servicemen hearing the French blanc and importing it as 'plonk'.)

b

PS http://www.winepros.com.au/jsp/cda/r...?entry_id=2481

[konungursvia]

I suspect he is 'hearing it wrong.' Having taught over there for years, I noticed Chinese students have difficulty hearing whether consonants are voiced or unvoiced, particularly in final position or in consonant clusters.

I have never heard "sk" words in English pronounced as /sg/. Rather, the vowel following them seems to give the "auditory illusion" of being voiced.

[orangutan]

I don't think I have made myself clear. I have never suggested that "sk" is pronounced /sg/. However the second consonant in the cluster is neutral, neither voiced (/g/) nor aspirated like English "k". In languages where neutral and aspirated stops are contrasted, this can lead to it sounding more like a "g" than a "k" - especially as the English "g", in most dialects and in most positions, is only very lightly voiced.

[konungursvia]

Originally Posted by orangutan

I don't think I have made myself clear. I have never suggested that "sk" is pronounced /sg/. However the second consonant in the cluster is neutral, neither voiced (/g/) nor aspirated like English "k". In languages where neutral and aspirated stops are contrasted, this can lead to it sounding more like a "g" than a "k" - especially as the English "g", in most dialects and in most positions, is only very lightly voiced.

That could be. And maybe different English speakers do it differently.

[Huda-M]

Valid point.
Many people spell differently, or speak differently; I think their main language depends.

[the creative]

as I studied in school.... I know this knowledge: ((((if letters (i,e,y) come after "c" letter, the pronounciation of "c" is written S and another letters comes after c , their pronounciation is written K except H letter, if it comes after C the pronounciation of (C) letter is written tsh for example "chair")))

[Raymott]

Originally Posted by BobK

But the voiced and unvoiced velar stop (/g/ : /k/) is contrastive, so they are separate phonemes. It's interesting that the OP heard the difference in aspiration but not the difference in voicing.

But an initial sk, sg are not contrastive in English, as they would be in, say Italian which has words beginning with sg, sb, sd.
English doesn't, so there is no linguistic injunction in English against saying sgale, sgar, sgallion, sgope, or 'Sdar Sbangled banner'. Such words would generally be understood.

[BobK]

Interesting. Could you cite a minimal pair in Italian with /sk/ and /sg/ contrasted? (This isn't a challenge to your authority, just a request for information. )

b