How do you say a /k/?

A /k/ is produced with the back of the tongue raised, creating a complete blockage of the outward airflow in the back of the mouth. The build-up of air pressure occurs until the tongue moves away from the top of the mouth and releases the air.

Types of Misarticulations & Pronunciation Suggestions

• The most common misarticulation of a /k/ is substituting it for a /t/. Ex: “tat” for “cat”

• To try and elicit a /k/ you can use a tongue depressor to hold down the front half of the tongue during production or try gargling with the head tilted backward before trying to produce the /k/ sound.
• Once you have achieved /k/ in isolation, try pronouncing it by combining the /k/ with back vowels. These vowels best facilitate the pronunciation of /k/.

Did you know?

• /k/ is among the top 10 most frequently occurring consonants!
• /k/ can occur at the beginning or end of a word.
• Consonant clusters with /ks/ at the end can signal plurality

References:

Bauman-Waengler, J. (2012). Articulatory and phonological impairments: A clinical    focus. (4^th ed.). Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Education, Inc.

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