Soft and Hard C and G
This is the biggest everyday difference between the two sounds.
How It Works
| Letters | Classical | Church |
|---|---|---|
| c before a, o, u | k | k |
| c before e, i, ae, oe | k | ch |
| g before a, o, u | hard g | hard g |
| g before e, i, ae, oe | hard g | j |
Cicero is KIK-eh-ro in classical Latin and CHEE-cheh-ro in Church Latin. Gloria is GLO-ree-ah in both, because g before l stays hard.
Two letters decide the sound: the c or g, and the letter after it. Read ahead one letter before you say it.
Church Latin follows Italian here, where c and g also soften before e and i. A learner who knows Italian already has the Church sound.
Examples (5)
- Cicero in foro est.
Cicero is in the forum.
Classical: KIK-eh-ro. Church: CHEE-cheh-ro.
- Gens magna est.
The nation is large.
Classical: a hard g, as in go. Church: JENS.
- Magister librum portat.
The teacher carries a book.
Classical: mah-GIS-ter. Church: mah-JEES-ter.
- Caelum magnum est.
The sky is big.
Classical: KYE-loom. Church: CHEH-loom, because c comes before ae.
- Gloria Patri.
Glory to the Father.
The g before l is hard in both journeys.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Soft and hard c and g show how the two readings differ, so both sets of sounds come first.
Related Patterns
Practice Soft and Hard C and G in Bubblegum
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