soft c
Core Rule
The soft c occurs when the letter c appears before e, i, or y, producing the /s/ sound instead of /k/. This reflects historical front-vowel influence.
Articulation
Place the tongue near the alveolar ridge, let air pass with friction, no voicing.
Examples
In certify (c+e) and sincere (c+i), c softens to /s/.
Pitfalls
Do not rely on spelling length or stress; only the following vowel controls the sound.
Phonics Breakdown
Tongue near alveolar ridge, narrow gap, voiceless airflow
Sound Reference
- Check the following vowel first
- Match the friction of soft c to /s/
Common Mistakes
Pronouncing certify with /k/
Assuming c has only one sound