Re: [Paddlewise] [German d and g

>
>
>A "German hard 'g' "?  As opposed to a German soft 'g'? I never really
>thought about having more than one 'g' in German.
>
>A hard 'g' as in "guten Tag"?
>
The German language is nearly completely phonetic.  Exceptions are 
terminal "g" and terminal "d". The g in Tag is pronounced very much 
like a k and the d in hund is pronounced very much like a T. 
Otherwise, Gs and Ds are soft.

On an early visit to Germany, I nearly got into serious trouble with 
the terminal g.  Wishing to buy some figs, and at the time not 
knowing the German word for fig I decided to harden the terminal g in 
the word fig.  Using this word, I asked the young lady at the market 
for that fruit (really a flower).  She screamed and I thought she 
might call the Polezi.  She then looked a little closer and asked if 
I were American.  When I admitted to my identity she laughed and 
called two other young ladies from the rear of the store and then had 
me repeat my request.  She then pointed at me, laughed, and cried 
"Amerikanisch.'".   So if you want to buy a fig in Germany you should 
ask for Feige. Joe

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