Short Guide to German Pronunciation – CONSONANTS

FThe following is a list of German consonant sounds. They will be listed together with their written correspondents; this way you will be better able to relate the sounds to words that you know. Moreover, the instructions of their articulation will be based on English as a native language. When we learn a new language, there will always be a certain amount of influence by our mother tongue. Perhaps you have listened to a German person speaking English viss a tsherman accent. 😉

One more thing: When you read the examples, it will be really helpful to you if you say them out loud and pay attention to what is happening in your mouth, i.e. how your lips and tongue move.

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The Importance Of correct-pronunciation

Inspired by a recent post on DW.de – 10 German Words Non-Germans Can’t Pronounce, I have decided to revisit my short guide to German pronunciation which was previously published here on this website and in the bulletin of the German Teachers Association of Ireland: GDI Bulletin – Short Guide to German Pronunciation by Markus Böttner

Before listing a selection of German sounds (phonemes) and offer suggestions for their correct articulation from an English native speaker’s perspective in the next two posts on this website, I would like to draw your attention to pronunciation in general and, moreover, why correct pronunciation is underrated.