Ich and Isch
This title doesn't really make any sense. But what I'm referring to is how people pronounce 'Ich'. Often I've heard it pronounced like 'Isch' instead of 'Ich'. I'm not very good at explaining how things sound but
Some people pronounce 'Ich' kind of like 'Ik' but with the 'ch' being more soft and less abrupt than a 'k'.
However others pronounce it like 'Isch'.
Can I use either. And what different countries use which?
11 Comments
The right way to pronunce "ich" is [ɪç]. It is hard to explain this sound since it has no equivalent in the English language. You can listen to the pronounciation at the LEO dictionary for example: https://dict.leo.org/englisch-deutsch/ich
The pronounciation of "ich" with the sch-sound (like the English sh-sound) is heard often by people with a low level of education and is considered bad pronounciation.
The pronounciation with the k-sound (like the English "k") however is found in the dialect spoken in and around Berlin.
It is hard to explain this sound since it has no equivalent in the English language.
Yes there is. "h" in "human" is /ç/.
Explaining the correct "ich" pronunciation, I find it helpful refering to the british pronunciation of various Scottish lakes - e.g. Loch Lomond, Loch Ness.... Its the "loch" sound.
I don't think so. The pronounciation of "Loch" (as far as I know, I am not a native English speaker) is more like the ch-sound in "doch" or "Buch" which is different from the ch-sound in "ich".
The ch-sound in "ich" really is almost exactly the sound you make at the beginning of "human". It is like pronouncing an H and then a Y right behind it.
The ch-sound in "Loch" or "Buch" or "doch" is pronounced more at the back of your throat and a rougher sound.
Hi Cluney,
it depends which dialect people speak. 'I mog net' (ich mag nicht, I don't want to) is bavarian, 'Ick oder Icke' you say in Berlin and around. 'Isch' you can hear in Hessen and Cologne. So the different 'Ich' are part of the dialect. You can use it, but you should use the rest of the dialect, too or it sounds a little bit weird.
best regards Angel
It’s pronunced neither like ich in “itch” or itsch in “swish”. To pronounce it, first say the letter y. The tongue feels pressure in the BACK of the mouth. Keeping your tongue in that position, say “ich”. There should be a breathy and whisper like sound. Hope that helps!
1151
https://forvo.com/ is a great website to hear the right pronunciation of words in many languages.
Link to the German word " ich" https://forvo.com/word/ich/#de
It's regional. High German is pretty much the initial sound of the English word huge, but the /sh/ is quite normal in the west.
