CC2040 English for Academic Skills (Health Care)

Soft and Hard Sounds (Medical & Health Care Terminology)

A “c” can be pronounced with a soft “s” sound, as in “cease”, or a hard “k” sound, as in “car”.

A “g’ can be pronounced with a soft “j” sound, as in “gentle”, or a hard “g” sound, as in “grab”.

A “ch” can be pronounced with a soft “ch” sound, as in “chance”, or a hard “k”, as in “chorus”.

Example Pronunciation* Sound Brief Explanation

cell sel soft “s” smallest unit of living structure capable of independent existence

cardiogram karcdT-b-gram hard “k” graphic tracing made by the cardiograph

gene jTn soft “j” functional unit of heredity

gastritis gas-trUctis hard “g” inflammation of the stomach

chamber chQmcber soft “ch” compartment or enclosed space

cholera kolcer-^ hard ‘k” acute epidemic infectious disease

* Pronunciation quoted from: Dirckx, John H., editor, Stedman's Concise Medical Dictionary for the Health Professions, Baltimore, MD: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 4th Edition, 2001

In case of the slightest doubt, consult a medical dictionary!

William Tsang 2009