12. [k]
/k/ as in CAKE /keɪk/, CAR /kɑr/, and BOOK /bʊk/
PRONOUNCING /k/
BACK OF TONGUE:
touches the soft palate.
AIRSTREAM: is stopped and then exploded.
VOCAL CORDS: are not vibrating.
The sound /k/ in English is similar to the sound of the letters c or k in certain Spanish words. The English /k/ is aspirate and is produced with a strong puff of air.
SPANISH KEY WORDS WITH /k/
Spanish words with this sound are spelled with c or k.
KEY WORDS: como casa acá kilo
POSSIBLE PRONUNCIATION PROBLEMS FOR THE SPANISH SPEAKER
This is an easy consonant for you to say. Just remember that /k/ is more explosive in English than in Spanish. When it begins a word, it must be said with strong aspiration and a puff of air. KEEP PRACTICING. You CAN say /k/ OK!
When k follows s (as in sky, skin, skate, etc.), it is NOT aspirated with a puff of air.
EXERCISE A
The following words should be pronounced with /k/. Pronounce them carefully.
/k/ At the Beginning
/k/ In the Middle
/k/ At the End
can /kæn/
car /kɑr/
key /ki/
cold /koʊld/
keep /kip/
come /kʌm/
quick /kwɪk/
could /kʊd/
correct /kəˈrɛkt/
cookie /ˈkʊki/
become /bɪˈkʌm/
record /ˈrɛkɚd/
jacket /ˈdʒækɪt/
inquire /ɪnˈkwaɪɚ/
walking /ˈwɔkɪŋ/
because /bɪˈkʌz/
mechanic
/mɪˈkænɪk/
backward
/ˈbækwɚd/
like /laɪk/
took /tʊk/
week /wik/
sick /sɪk/
work /wɚk/
make /meɪk/
clock /klɑk/
speak /spik/
black /blæk/
/k/ Spelled:
“k”
kite /kaɪt/
kill /kɪl/
lake /leɪk/
keep /kip/
bake /beɪk/
“c”
coat /koʊt/
cone /koʊn/
acre /ˈeɪkɚ/
class /klæs/
crime /kraɪm/
“qu” /kw/
quit /kwɪt/
quick /kwɪk/
quiet
/ˈkwaɪət/
quote /kwoʊt/
square
/skwɛr/
“x” /ks/
six /sɪks/
box /bɑks/
wax /wæks/
exit /ˈɛksɪt/
mixture
/ˈmɪkstʃɚ/
A less frequent spelling pattern for /k/ consists of the letters ch.
EXAMPLES:
chorus
/ˈkɔrəs/
chrome
/kroʊm/
mechanic
/mɪˈkænɪk/
Christmas
/ˈkrɪsməs/
HINTS:
1.The most common spelling pattern for /k/ is k.
2.The letters qu are usually pronounced /kw/.
EXAMPLES:
queen
/kwin/
quite
/kwaɪt/
require
/rɪˈkwaɪɚ/
The letter c before a, o, or u is usually pronounced /k/
EXAMPLES:
cap
/kæp/
because
/bɪˈkʌz/
comb
/koʊm/
become
/bɪˈkʌm/
The letter k followed by n is usually NOT pronounced.
EXAMPLES:
knit /nɪt/
knot /nɑt/
know /noʊ/
EXERCISE B
Read the following phrases and sentences aloud. Be sure to pronounce any /k/ at the beginning of the boldface words with a puff of air.
Keep quiet!
kip ˈkwaɪət!
milk and cookies
mɪlk ænd ˈkʊkiz
call it quits
kɔl ɪt kwɪts
cup of coffee
kʌp ʌv ˈkɔfi
Can I come in?
kæn aɪ kʌm ɪn?
Speak clearly.
spik ˈklɪrli.
I like black coffee.
aɪ laɪk blæk ˈkɔfi.
Carol is working as a cook.
ˈkærəl ɪz ˈwɚkɪŋ æz ə kʊk.
Pack your clothes for the weekend.
pæk yɔr kloʊz fɔr ðə ˈwikɛnd.
Keep accurate records.
kip ˈækyərɪt ˈrɛkɚdz.