'G' Factor

[terryjosben]

I was wondering how good it would be if AnswerBank hosted a new section for 'Proper Language Usage'. What made me think about this is 'G'. Yes, the confusing letter 'G'. How do you pronounce 'Gouger'? Goo-ger, Goo-jer, Gow-ger, or Gow-jer? How do you pronounce 'Gigantic'? Jye-Gan-tic, or Jye-Jan-tic? I don't really get it, now there comes another 'g' - get. We all know its - 'G'et. But there's gotta be some criteria or rule that specifies the usage prtocol for 'G', and differentiates it from 'J'. What is it? Have you guys got any idea? Situations like these and more, are where we need AnswerBank's help. A new section for 'Proper Language'. I couldn't find any contact details for the site's content-administrator, but I hope the concerned one would see this!

[Quizmonster]

As with virtually any question about English spelling and pronunciation, this is a veritable hornets' nest of difficulties! Virtually anything I now write will be open to question and someone will find an exception to each and every point I make. Nevertheless, here goes...

In modern English 'g' has a hard sound - think of the 'g' in 'golf' - (a) at the end of words, except 'ing' endings - eg flog (b) before a consonant - eg ignite (c) before a/o/u, except in gaol/gaoler = jail/jailer - eg go, gun (d) in words of Teutonic origin before e/i - eg give, get (e) in Hebrew-based names - eg Gideon.

It has the soft 'j' sound before e/i/y (a) in Latinate words - eg Girobank (b) at the end of a syllable - eg dodging.

The trouble with all of the above is that it demands that you know which words are Hebrew, Latin and Teutonic in origin! In other words, it's probably of no darned use to you at all! Nevertheless, these are the 'rules' and you did ask for them!

[Jenny Tools]

Gee goodness gracious Gandolf get a grip

[Quizmonster]

'Gee', as the name for the letter 'G' is Latinate. (See my earlier Para 2a.) Nor is it Teutonic in etymology as the American exclamation, which is your usage here, Jenny. Indeed, in that form, it is believed to be based on the opening syllable of 'Jesus', so that's the soft 'j' sound right there. (See my earlier Para 1d.)

For 'goodness', see my Para 1c...ie it's before an 'o'. For 'gracious', see my Para 1b...ie it's before a consonant; the same applies to 'grip'. For 'Gandalf' see my Para 1c...ie it's before an 'a'. 'Get' is actually used as an example in the earlier response, so "nuff said" about it.

I think that pretty well covers everything, Jenny!

[darth vader]

he's good innee?

[Gef]

But I already know how to pronounce bough, cough and dough and enough ;-)

[Janetex]

Well, Tel, that's not such a bad idea, but for now we just rely on QM. I have trouble remembering all the rules for multi-syllable/ic words, could I have a reminder here, please? IMHO becoming more multicultural is confusing us even more than ever. My Milanese rellies have trouble with my first name and the Kentish folk can't cope with my surname, Giannini. My Irish rellies have no trouble with either. One little Indian chap just simply opted to call me Gee-nee.

[Quizmonster]

Aah! That's all very well, Gef, but do you know how to pronounce thought, borough, hiccough, through, lough (in Northern Irish-English usage) as well as hough and sough (in Scottish-English)? Along with your four, these make up the 11 ways in which 'ough' is pronounced by British speakers. As I said originally...it's a hornets' nest! [I was only joking when I asked the above question, of course, Gef! I know you can pronounce them.] Cheers

[Gef]

Of course I can Quizzie since I was born in Middlesbrough and have lived in Scotland for 33 years ;-) By the way I've booked a table at the Ashoka for 2050 (the year not the time!)

[Quizmonster]

I'd be delighted to see you there, Gef. If I had the appropriate diary, I'd pencil in a date right now!