Abstract
Abstract This chapter presents the sounds of German: vowels, consonants, diphthongs, and glides, along with the relevant phonetic symbols, and explains diacritical marks (umlaut), vowel length, basic word structure, and word stress. More detail about word structure is presented later in the chapter, specifically information about prefixes and suffixes and how they affect words stress and vowel quality. It presents and discusses words of non-Germanic origin, which function quite differently from words of Germanic origin, and presents monosyllabic words and polysyllabic words that are exceptions to usual patterns. There are extensive examples of words with translations and phonetic transcriptions, as well as musical examples. It discusses usage of glottal separation in German speech and singing. Problematic sequences of consonant sounds are presented and discussed, with practical suggestions for their execution. Resources for German and sample vocal texts with phonetic transcriptions and translations are provided. There are several exercises interspersed throughout the chapter.
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