Tips And Rules To Differentiate G From J
The g or the j ? Once again we find ourselves at a crossroads between two letters and, if adults are not clear about it, children even less so. But don’t panic: this is solved with a few simple tips and rules to differentiate g from j .
Starting point to differentiate g from j
In this case, we have two letters and two sounds, but one of those sounds is used with both letters. The RAE explains when each one is used and, if we do it, half of the children’s spelling mistakes will disappear.
On the one hand, we have a smooth sound that only belongs to the g. This sound is used when the g precedes the vowels a , o and u, or other consonants, as in the words cat or glacier.
On the other hand, there is a louder sound that “scratches” the throat. The j is always pronounced this way, while the g is only said like this when the rule we have seen before is not fulfilled. Some examples are cushion or leaf, with j , and pick or choose, with g .
Rules to differentiate g from j
Once we have the basic concepts clear, we can take a look at the spelling rules that the Fundéu exposes. As there are quite a few rules, it is recommended that children practice the rules of each letter in isolation to assimilate them little by little.
Rules of the g
- The geo- prefix of compound words: geography , geometry , geology …
- The ending -gen of names: origin , margin , aboriginal …
- The endings -gelic , -genarian , -geneous , -genic , -genius , -genital , -gesimal , -gth , -getic and their feminine and plurals. For example, angelic , sixties , homogeneous , photogenic , wit , firstborn , quadragesimal , twentieth , apologetic.
- Words that end in -gia , -gio , -gión , -gional , -gionario , -gioso and -gírico : magic , regal , religion , regional , legionary , prodigious , panegyric , etc.
- The endings -ger and -gir of the infinitives: protect , choose, collect , pretend , correct , direct , etc. Less weaving , creaking and their compounds ”.
Rules of the j
- The termination -house : concierge , locksmith, etc.
- The tenses of the verbs whose infinitive has that letter: creaks from creaking or works to work.
- The words derived from others that have j : box of box or heretic heresy .
- Verb forms with sound engineering , ji , if the corresponding infinitive have neither g or j : we distracted distract, transpired deducting said say, etc. “.
Tips to differentiate g from j
Learning spelling is not synonymous with spending hours writing and copying mistakes. In general, involving other senses such as sight and hearing can be even more important for spelling than just writing.
Read out loud
Before doing any writing exercises, it is highly recommended that children read aloud short texts that contain words with both letters. In addition to being a more natural and fun way to learn spelling, they will exercise the two sounds that we have seen.
When they have assimilated them, it will no longer be just isolated sounds, letters and words, but will have improved their visual and linguistic memory.
Practice with tongue twisters
Tongue twisters are a very useful resource when it comes to differentiating sounds that are easily confused. The best thing is that we can adapt the level of difficulty. We can start with a short tongue twister in which only words with the letter g or j appear, and increase the speed little by little, or add new parts to the tongue twister.
If we want to complicate it a bit more, we can leave the letters that the children are going to practice blank for them to complete. What if they are very good at spelling? So, you can give them a tongue twister with some mistakes to correct.
Dictations
It is best if each dictation deals with a specific set of rules and is on a topic that interests children. At first, its role is for children to learn to write correctly, but it is really a start to note-taking.
When they grow up, they will have to summarize what the teacher explains. Therefore, if the spelling base is established, they will only have to worry about summarizing the content.
