Phoneme /l/

/l/ is a consonant phoneme that occurs in English.

Naming

Like other phonemes, naming can be tricky. It can be called L phoneme, which does contain one of its allophones. Alternatively, it could be called luh after its sound when initial, or lull which contains its two main allophones.

Classification

This can be classified as consonant phoneme > approximant phoneme.

Representation

In phonemic notation using the International Phonetic Alphabet, the L phoneme is represented by lowercase L, ⟨l⟩ as its IPA symbol. This has the IPA number 155. In SAMPA and X-SAMPA, l is also used. In IPA Braille, ⠇ (123) is used, which is also used for letter L in standard Braille.

Pronunciation

Standard pronunciation varies depending on whether this sound precedes a vowel sound. If it precedes a vowel sound, then it’s known as a light L, and pronounced as a voiced alveolar lateral approximant [l]. If there is no following vowel sound, such as at the end of a word or before a consonant sound, it’s pronounced as a velarised (or gutturalised) alveolar lateral approximant [ɫ].

Non-native pronunciation: Southern Chinese may pronounce /l/ as [n]. Japanese speakers have trouble with both /l/ and /r/.

Spelling

Spelling is consistently ⟨l⟩ or ⟨ll⟩. Rarely, ⟨lh⟩.