What is the difference between RICH and RIDGE?

Today’s question is from a YouTube Subscriber:  “What is the difference between RICH and RIDGE?”

The only difference in these words is the voicing at the end. Both words are pronounced the same at the beginning:  R-short i.  The ending sound is different:  CH or J.

CH and J are both made by touching your tongue to the back of your top teeth. Then pulling it back to the middle of the mouth. CH is voiceless, J is voiced. Your voice box in your throat vibrates for the J but NOT for the CH. The vowel is the same but will sound a little longer in RIDGE.

Listen to the difference with this sound file:  rich ridge

rich, rich, rich

ridge, ridge, ridge

rich, ridge

The mountain ridge is rich with wildlife.

The mountain ridge is rich with wildlife.