TUFS Language Modules

Consonants of the ga-column are pronounced as [g] at the beginning of a word, but they could be pronounced as [g] or [ŋ] (a velar nasal with air escaping through the nose) when they appear in the middle of a word. Let us practice to listen to the [ŋ] that appears in the middle of a word.

In the past, it was the norm to pronounce the consonants of the ga-column sounds that appear in the middle of a word as [ŋ]. However, because it does not change the meaning of the word, more people are pronouncing the consonants of the ga-column sounds as [g] regardless of whether they appear at the beginning or in the middle of the word.