voice
Definition,[k, g) are occlusive, plosive, backlingual, velar; [k] is strong and voiceless, [g] is weak and voiced, in final position it is partly devoiced.
Articulation. 1.The back of the tongue makes a firm contact with the soft palate.
2. The soft palate is raised. The air coming from the lungs is trapped for a short time and then breaks the obstruction with a slight explosion.
3. The vocal cords do not vibrate for [k]. When (g] is produced they are drawn together and vibrate.
4. The breath effort for [k] is very strong, for [g] it is weak.
Recommendations.1. Start with Articulation Exercises II,
10; III, 10, 11; IV, 1,2.
2. Raise the back of the tongue to the soft palate so that
you can feel a firm contact of them. Push the air from the lungs
breaking the obstruction with a slight popping noise.
3. Make the sound [k] strong and aspirated, eg cool, calm.
Allophones.The partially devoiced weak [g] occurs in word
final positions, eg dog, vague.
Comparison with the Russian [ê, ã, ê', ã'].The Russian consonants [ê, ã] are produced in a similar way, but the breath effort for the Russian [ê] is not so strong as for the English [k] which is aspirated. In word final position only [k] is heard, eg ëóã, ìàã, while the English [gj in final positions is partially devoiced, cf äîã — dog, äèàëîã — dialogue.
The palatalized Russian consonants [ê', ã'] are formed with the front part of the tongue raised tq the hard palate, thus making the front secondary focus.
Possible Mistakes. 1.Russian learners of English often replace the English [k, g] by the Russian [ê, ã]. The breath effort for the English [k] should be stronger, the consonant is aspirated.
2. In case they palatalize the English [k, g] they make a phonetic mistake. The front part of the tongue should not be raised to the hard palate.
3. If [g] in word final positions is fully voiced it is a phonetic mistake. To get rid of it make the sound rather weak.
4. To avoid the complete devoicing of the final [g] (which is a phonological mistake) you must keep in mind that it is only partially devoiced but very weak.
Compare the following word contrasts:
dog — dock, bug — buck, lag — lack log — lock, bag — back, pig — pick