The “Ich” sound is confusing - I am having problem reaching that sound. Is it “ick”, as in icky, “ich” as in sandwich, or “ish”, as in feverish?

  • diegantobass@lemmy.world
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    2 months ago

    If you look at the IPA, the top table represents all the consonants of human languages (almost).

    You are interested in the “fricative” line. It starts with a circle with a vertical line, that’s a consonant made by litteraly blowing air through your lips, like when exhaling through your mouth, almost whistling but not quite.

    Going right from there, pay attention only to the left sign in each block of 2. Each step represents a step backward in your mouth. The second one is recognizable, it’s an “F”, classic. Third one, the eye of Sauron, is a “TH”. Then an “S”.

    Keep going backward, and the “ICH” is that ç thing.

    The small x is the sound that Hawk Tua girl made (the very start of it, the hard “H”). You went to far, come back a bit in your mouth :)

    …I realized that’s probably the worst phonetic lesson ever. Goodbye.

  • quilan@lemmy.world
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    2 months ago

    Not a native speaker, but I’ve heard it described as almost a cat’s hiss, mechanically.

  • Mr.Mofu
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    2 months ago

    Mostly like Sandwich without the Silent T I’d say

  • Ledivin@lemmy.world
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    2 months ago

    It’s closer to ick than ish, but is throatier? The “ck” should be a little softer and pull it back towards your throat

  • norimee@lemmy.world
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    2 months ago

    The ch sound doesnt exist in many languages including english. Its more like a hissing sound I would say.

    Try saying it like with a ish sound, but make your mouth broader, like the corners of your mouth have to go to the sides in a straight line.

    I don’t know if that makes sense, i just made that up while i-chhhhh hissing to myself. Let me know if it works 😅