Lexical items concluding with the digraph “ch” represent a diverse subset of the English lexicon. These terms can possess a variety of pronunciations, reflecting their diverse etymological origins. For instance, the “ch” in “church” represents a post-alveolar affricate, while in “epoch” it represents a voiceless velar fricative. Other examples include the final “ch” in words like “stomach” and “touch,” where the sound is a voiceless postalveolar affricate.
Understanding the variations in pronunciation and spelling conventions associated with this terminal digraph is crucial for accurate pronunciation, spelling, and comprehension. Such knowledge aids in clarifying the meaning of homophones (e.g., “witch” and “which”) and contributes to a nuanced understanding of the historical evolution of the English language. The diverse origins of these words from Greek and Latin to Old English and French contribute to the richness and complexity of the language’s phonology.
