inconsistent use of ß in 14.2

I have noticed that the "ß" is used inconsistently in level 2 14.2.
Grosse, Grossmutter and Sosse all appear.
Does this reflect actual German or is it a mistake? in the dictionary the are all spelt with ß.
 

Hi  Sfpugh,

You will see "ß" replaced from time to time when typing on a non German keybord or if there is a problem displaying it as it's a special character. So mainly for digital written language,  you will see it as "ss".  Our lessons are not persistent with the use of either one version, which might have let you thinking there is a mistake. Sorry about the confusion. 

Gruß/Gruss

Paul

 

OK, it is a bit confusing when learning, especially as it is hard to get answers right in the tests if you can't tell which version was used. 

I wonder if there is any general rule for telling which is correct. Some words always seem to be "ss" such as mussen, Kasse, Klasse and Kassel

Hi there,

If you have a listen to the words you'll notice that some words who always use "ss" such as "Klassenkasse", "lassen"="to let", "müssen"="to need",  "Messer" have a different "s"-sound than words with " ß" such as "Maß"=measure,  "Straße"=street, "Füße"=feet. 

Gruß

Paul

Yes I thought the sound might be different but I must say, I have struggled to hear it. I will have to go back and listen harder. :)
 

I think I may have heard a difference, it is rather subtle and hard to describe, but is  " ß" a slightly higher pitched sound than "ss", a bit more of a hissing sound?