Pronouncing N- (and NG-)
In this section, we will be looking at the letter: N-.
In the International Phonetic Alphabet, the letters N- is represented by the phonetic symbol /n/. When the letter N- is immediately followed by a tense G- (/g/) within the same syllable, it takes on a completely different sound and is represented by the phonetic symbol, /ŋ/. These two sounds are produced in different parts of the mouth.
For example, the letter combination NG- sounds different in these two words:
engage English
/ɪnˈɡeɪdʒ/ /ˈɪŋɡlɪʃ/
In the word engage, /n/ ends one syllable, while /g/ begins the second syllable. Although the two letters are side by side, they are pronounced as two distinct sounds. In the word English the two letters are part of the same syllable, therefore they are pronounced as one sound: /ŋ/.
You will find the N- (/n/) sound in words such as:
night /naɪt/
annual /ˈænjuəl/
thin /θɪn/
You will find the NG- (/ŋ/) sound in words such as:
English /ˈɪŋɡlɪʃ/
thing /θɪŋ/
trying /ˈtraɪɪŋ/
/n/ is an alveolar sound. Because it is an alveolar sound, it produced in the alveolar ridge, the part of your mouth where your tongue meets your gums. To produce this sound, the tip of your tongue will be a little tense as you touch the alveolar ridge and then release you will press the back of your tongue up against the back of your mouth (soft palate) and release.
/ŋ/ is a velar sound which means it is produced on the back of the tongue. You will press the back of your tongue up against the back of your mouth (soft palate) and release.
In the International Phonetic Alphabet, the letters N- is represented by the phonetic symbol /n/. When the letter N- is immediately followed by a tense G- (/g/) within the same syllable, it takes on a completely different sound and is represented by the phonetic symbol, /ŋ/. These two sounds are produced in different parts of the mouth.
For example, the letter combination NG- sounds different in these two words:
In the word engage, /n/ ends one syllable, while /g/ begins the second syllable. Although the two letters are side by side, they are pronounced as two distinct sounds. In the word English the two letters are part of the same syllable, therefore they are pronounced as one sound: /ŋ/.
You will find the N- (/n/) sound in words such as:
annual /ˈænjuəl/
thin /θɪn/
You will find the NG- (/ŋ/) sound in words such as:
thing /θɪŋ/
trying /ˈtraɪɪŋ/
/n/ is an alveolar sound. Because it is an alveolar sound, it produced in the alveolar ridge, the part of your mouth where your tongue meets your gums. To produce this sound, the tip of your tongue will be a little tense as you touch the alveolar ridge and then release you will press the back of your tongue up against the back of your mouth (soft palate) and release./ŋ/ is a velar sound which means it is produced on the back of the tongue. You will press the back of your tongue up against the back of your mouth (soft palate) and release.
