Page:A Danish and Dano-Norwegian grammar.djvu/32

 corresponding in sound to English y before vowels; Ex.: ja yes, jeg (pron. jai) I.

For j representing the sound of i in the second part of diphthongs see § 28.

j is often written without being pronounced after k and g before œ, ö and open e. K(j)œr dear, g(j)erne willingly. (According to the latest official rules of spelling this j is not to be written except in Danish names such as Kjøge, Kjøbenhavn, where the use of j is optional). Before other vowels than those mentioned j is pronounced (except in the Copenhagen dialect); Kjole dress coat, woman's gown; gjor(d)e did.

53. k is an aspirated tenuis; kalde pron. k-hal.ə; the aspiration does not take place after s and when written double in the middle of words, see § 29. Ikke not, forming rhyme with ligge, Sukke sighs (plur.) forming rhyme with Vugge cradle, skal shall, pron. sgal.

54. g is not so distinctly voiced as the corresponding English sound, to which it otherwise corresponds. g occurs 1) in the beginning of words; Ex.: Gave gift, grave to dig, glide to slide, give to give; 2) in the middle of words a) when written double: ligge to lie, begge both; b) between two vowels in foreign words: Agurk cucumber, Cigar; 3) in the end af words after a short vowel: styg ugly, Byg barley, Hug cut, blow; sometimes after a long vowel: Æg egg, definite form Ægget, where the double g (gg) is the sign of this sound and does not indicate the shortness of the preceding vowel.

55. The sign of g also represents an open (spirantic) guttural voiced sound, similar to German g in,. This sound never occurs in the beginning of words, but 1) in the middle of words between two vowels (but not after a short