31st May, 2010

Pronouncing the German “ch”

posted 1 year ago

An anomynous reader asked me to give her tips how to explain the <ch> sound to a friend.

CLICK - I’ve already posted an audio file in which I’m trying to explain the sound of <ch> better.

1.) After the vowels a, o and u the “ch” is pronunced in the back of your throat (guttural). It’s the more difficult of the two I’d say and it’s kinda difficult to describe. But the Scottish use it when saying “Loch Ness”.

German examples: der Bach (brook); das Loch (hole); das Buch (book)

2.) After the vowels i, e and the Umlauts ä, ö, ü it’s pronunced “softer” by placing the tongue to your palate (as if you wanted to say “sh” without engaging your teeth). There’s still enough space for the air to be pressed through which then will make the “ch” sound.

German examples: das Licht (light); der Becher (mug); Bäche (brooks); Löcher (holes); Bücher (books)

Browse all posts dealing with: