In Spanish, the sound represented by the letters “ch” is considered a single phoneme, similar to the “ch” sound in English words like “church” or “cheese.” It is typically represented by the digraph “ch” and is always pronounced as a voiceless postalveolar affricate. For example, the word “chico” (meaning “small” or “boy”) illustrates this sound.
This distinct sound plays a crucial role in Spanish pronunciation and distinguishes numerous words. Understanding its proper articulation is essential for clear communication and comprehension. Historically, the “ch” sound evolved from a Latin sequence and became standardized as a single phoneme in modern Spanish. Its consistent pronunciation across dialects contributes to the overall cohesion of the language.
