Pronouciation of letter "C"

Question

In the dictionary the pronounciation of letter C is written as K, such as cool being pronounce as kool. But, words like scale, scar, scallion, scope, and schedule, I feel that the letter C is being pronounced as G, not as K.
Why is that? Am I hearing wrong?

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

Yes, I think you are hearing inaccurately.

Ferdis · Answer

Schedule is an odd one since it can be pronounced with a silent c. As for the others, they all have a 'k' sound.

Philip · Answer

You are witnessing what linguists refer to as 'assimilation', when the pronunciation of a letter is affected by something surrounding it.  In this case, /k/ (unvoiced)  is the pronunciation we start with, but because the vowel following it is naturally voiced, the /k/ may take on a voiced characteristic, leaving you with the feeling of /g/ (voiced).  The dictionary doesn't include this information, as it varies greatly from person to person, even from dialect to dialect.

Pronouciation of letter "C"

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