Pronouncing Spanish - start the beginning (G)

Golly gosh, this one's a little tricky. As you'll hear when you click on the image and follow instructions, the sound there is the same as in, say, 'guitar' in English - at the beginning of the word. The simplified sound guide does not include anything beyond that. However, if it comes in the middle of the word (usually as the second letter), it is softer, less fricative. The G in goma (rubber, eraser) is harder than in agencia (agency, branch office), and it is even softer in ego (same in English but pronounced egg-o). Don't worry, you'll be understood and you'll get used to the different 'g' sounds if you care to listen.