ce, ci, and cy = |s|

I & II LEARN the ce, ci, and cy spelling patterns with the |s| pronunciation, as in face, city, and cycle. This pattern is very dependable. We are aware of only a few exceptions to this pattern, one of which is Celtic, can be pronounced with the |k| sound, |kĕl • tĭk|. Both |sĕl • tĭk| and |kĕl • tĭk| are correct.

ge, gi, and gy = |j| and sometimes |zh|

In the lessons to this point, words containing the letter g illustrate the so-called hard sound of g (|g|), as in get, give, and argyle. This lesson introduces two softer sounds for g, namely, |j|, as in gem, gym, and engine, and |zh|, as in mirage.

The g pattern is not as dependable as the c pattern (see discussion above) but is still a fairly reliable guide. Words spelled with ga, go, or gu (for example, gap, goes, gulp) or with g immediately followed by a consonant (grade, glad) are almost always pronounced with the hard g sound |g|. However, g will usually be pronounced with a soft g sound—|j|—when accompanied by e, i, or y. We see this new pattern illustrated in germ and page (ge = |j|); engine (gi = |j|); and gym (gy = |j|).

Another pronunciation of g, also softer than a hard g, is the |zh| sound found in mirage. The |zh| is the 47th sound of the 48 sounds covered in this book.

III & IV LEARN the |j| and |zh| sounds on display in such words as gem, age, garage, engine, gym, and edge. These sounds derive from spelling patterns ge, gi, gy, and dge.

Consider discussing with your student the following particularities:

► The |j| sound of g is sometimes spelled dge, as in edge and dodge (see first row of words in Roman number IV); and
► The letter y, when it acts as a vowel, is often pronounced as if it were a short-vowel i. Such is the case in gym.

Review: c g

V & VI REVIEW the c spelling patterns pronounced |k| and |s|, as in cancel, crust, circle, and face.

REVIEW the g spelling patterns pronounced |g|, |j|, and |zh|, as in good, gust, grade, edge, age, gym, engine, garage, and mirage.