{"id":4293,"date":"2021-04-05T18:22:10","date_gmt":"2021-04-06T01:22:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/english-speaking\/?p=4293"},"modified":"2021-05-02T19:49:44","modified_gmt":"2021-05-03T02:49:44","slug":"the-j-ch-and-y-sounds","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/english-speaking\/the-j-ch-and-y-sounds\/","title":{"rendered":"The J, CH and Y Sounds"},"content":{"rendered":"

For learners of English, the j,<\/em>\u00a0ch<\/em> and y<\/em> sounds can prove challenging to pronounce and distinguish, depending on one’s native language.\u00a0 Let’s take a look at how the sounds are different.\u00a0 Keep in mind that in the phonetic alphabet, the j<\/em> sound appears as\/\u02a4\/, the ch<\/em> sound is \/\u02a7\/ and the y<\/em> sound is\/j\/<\/span><\/p>\n

To produce the <\/b>\/\u02a4\/<\/b> sound<\/b>, first press your tongue on the roof of your mouth to stop the airflow between your tongue and the ridge behind your teeth. Then release your tongue slightly to push the air through a narrow gap. This sound is voiced<\/em>, which means that you vibrate your vocal cords to make the sound.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

To produce the \/\u02a7\/,<\/b> follow the same mouth position as the \/\u02a4\/. In this case, however, do not produce a vibration with your vocal cords.\u00a0 This sound is voiceless<\/em>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

To produce the \/j\/<\/b> or \u201cy\u201d sound, raise the middle part of the tongue against the centre of your palate without touching it. Open your mouth to produce the \u201cy\u201d sound and the vowel that follows it.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Tip<\/b>: The \/j\/ It\u2019s similar to a short \/i\/ or \/\u026a\/ quickly followed by a vowel, however your tongue will be closer to the roof of your mouth than when producing the \/i\/ or \/\u026a\/.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Tip for Spanish speakers<\/b>: <\/span><\/h3>\n

This sound is often problematic for Spanish speakers, but it\u2019s essentially the same sound that you hear at the beginning of <\/span>hielo, hiato <\/span><\/i>or<\/span> i\u00f3nico.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Practice with these minimal pairs of the J<\/em>, CH<\/em> and Y<\/em> Sounds :<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\/\u02a7\/\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \/\u02a4\/\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\/j\/<\/strong><\/p>\n

Cello<\/span> \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>jello\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<\/span>yellow\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Cherry\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<\/span>Jerry\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>Yari\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Che\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>Jay\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>Yay\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ciao\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<\/span>Jowl\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<\/span>Yow\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Chet\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>Jet\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>Yet\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Chi\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>Gee\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<\/span>Yee\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Cho\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<\/span>Joe\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>Yo!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Chew\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>Jew\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<\/span>You\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Cheer\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<\/span>Jeer\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>Year<\/span><\/p>\n

Choke\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>Joke\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<\/span>Yoke\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n