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Phoneme /l/
/l/ is a consonant phoneme that occurs in English.[1]
Naming[edit | edit source]
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[edit | edit source]
This can be classified as consonant phoneme > approximant phoneme.
Representation[edit | edit source]
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[edit | edit source]
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].[2]
Non-native pronunciation: Southern Chinese may pronounce /l/ as [n]. Japanese speakers have trouble with both /l/ and /r/.
Spelling[edit | edit source]
Spelling is consistently ⟨l⟩ or ⟨ll⟩. Rarely, ⟨lh⟩.
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CwWLgmMk0Z0
- ↑ Encyclopaedia Britannica, Velarization.