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Wont Posted 17 years ago
Speech & Pronunciation
Pronunciation of /l/ in contexts like always and 'll
Hello everyone
I'd like to know how americans pronounce the /l/ in syllable-end contexts like the one in the words "always", "already", "also", and in the end of the words, like "call" and the contractions "I'll", "she'll". I'm asking it because sometimes I hear a real [ l], and I can even see the speaker's tongue doing the typical movement. However, sometimes what I see is a weak [ w ] being pronounced in these words, so "I'll" turns [ajw] or sometimes [aw], and "always" turns [awejs]. How do americans really pronounce this words? With [ l ] or [ w ]? Is it strange for native ears to hear this words being pronounced with [ w ] (like we, Brazilians, often do)?
Thanks =)
I'd like to know how americans pronounce the /l/ in syllable-end contexts like the one in the words "always", "already", "also", and in the end of the words, like "call" and the contractions "I'll", "she'll". I'm asking it because sometimes I hear a real [ l], and I can even see the speaker's tongue doing the typical movement. However, sometimes what I see is a weak [ w ] being pronounced in these words, so "I'll" turns [ajw] or sometimes [aw], and "always" turns [awejs]. How do americans really pronounce this words? With [ l ] or [ w ]? Is it strange for native ears to hear this words being pronounced with [ w ] (like we, Brazilians, often do)?
Thanks =)
Top answer
Except when it comes at the beginning of the word, Americans cheat terribly on their "l's," and it seems to be getting worse. For many, "w" is about it. Unless you're in a profession where good diction is prized, the letter might as well not exist.
- Except when it comes at the beginning of the word, Americans cheat terribly on their "l's," and it seems to be getting worse.
- For many, "w" is about it.
- Unless you're in a profession where good diction is prized, the letter might as well not exist.
- " It amuses me that we have a "register" for grammar usage, but in matters of pronunciation we seem to work hard to emulate only the lowest of the low.
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2 Answers
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Except when it comes at the beginning of the word, Americans cheat terribly on their "l's," and it seems to be getting worse. For many, "w" is about it. Unless you're in a profession where good diction is prized, the letter might as well not exist. "I'll be home" is "Ahbee."
It amuses me that we have a "register" for grammar usage, but in matters of pronunciation we seem to work hard t
It amuses me that we have a "register" for grammar usage, but in matters of pronunciation we seem to work hard t
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aw - wiz
aw - reddi (where aw represents the sound of aw in paw, saw, or thaw.)
all - so (See call, fall, etc., below.)
call, fall, bell, tell, Bill, roll, bull, I'll, she'll, ... -- all "dark L", tongue drawn back, not on teeth as in the "light L" of "lip", "list", etc.
Our use of [ w ] for [ l ] is mu
aw - reddi (where aw represents the sound of aw in paw, saw, or thaw.)
all - so (See call, fall, etc., below.)
call, fall, bell, tell, Bill, roll, bull, I'll, she'll, ... -- all "dark L", tongue drawn back, not on teeth as in the "light L" of "lip", "list", etc.
Our use of [ w ] for [ l ] is mu
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