Pronunciation of "g" in Latin... which of these programs is right?

[Malenki]

We've been through Prima Latina and learned Ecclesiastical pronunciation.

We're doing Song School Latin to fill in some time before moving on to the next Latin program.

BUT, we're running into pronunciation differences in the letter "g" and I have no idea which is right.

Memoria Press rules (on page iv of Prima Latina):
g is soft before e, i, ae, oe (like the g in germ)
g is hard before other letters (like the g in go)

Classical Academic Press rules (on page 4 of Song School Latin):
g is always hard like the g in goat


So... which is right? :confused:

[CleoQc]

Both.

There are two types of Latin pronunciation.

1. Ecclesiastical (aka Church) pronunciation
2. Classical (aka Roman from Ancient Rome) pronunciation

The Ecclesiastical pronunciation was handed down to us through the ages. The Classical one was reconstructed from ancient readings.

[Malenki]

Both.

There are two types of Latin pronunciation.

The Song School Latin has listings of pronunciation for both and what I listed was what they say (and use on the CD) for Ecclesiastical not Classical. Does that make sense? They have the Classical Pronunciation guide listed on page 3 and then the Ecclesiastical on page 4.

They have the "g" sound be hard for both pronunciations which was the confusion for me; my understanding was that g was one of the letters that was different in the two pronunciations.

Prima Latina was strictly one way but Song School Latin allows for both; the CD that comes with the set has tracks for both ways.

I hope that's somewhat clearer and not a complete muddle!

[mamato4]

and it said that classical Latin pronounces g as in giggle. Only one sound for g.

http://www.byzantinecommunications.com/adamhoward/latinpron.html

This site has the pronounciation rules for ecclesiastical Latin.

http://www.ewtn.com/expert/answers/ecclesiastical_latin.htm

Hope this helps!
Anna

[Cadam]

I think it is a typo in SSL. This is the first version of this book so it's not a huge surprise that there would be a typo or two. While they generally do a good job with the ecclesiastical they are originally classical pronunciation people. So they slip sometimes.

[Malenki]

Thanks!

I had also searched and always found it in Ecclesiastical with two sounds but since I am by no means an expert wondered if it was just one of those preference things. ("You say toe-may-toe, I say toe-mah-toe")

The songs are also only using a hard g sound so it was consistent across the program.