/l/ – Voiced Alveolar Lateral Approximant


Notes:

Features:

  • Place of Articulation: Alveolar
  • Manner of Articulation: Lateral-Approximant
  • Phonation: Voiced

Video Library:

English actually has two “L” sounds: the “dark L” and the “True L.” In Spanish, there is only the “True L.” A common tendency for English speakers is to use both as if they were speaking English. 

Some tips for this consonant:

  • Keep the same speed when going up and down (la/al, li/il) 
  • Exaggerate by having your jaw as low as possible
  • Give more love to the consonant, dwell on the /l/ sound

1. Build Awareness

lo [lo̞], hola [o̞.lä], el [e̞l], les [le̞s], selección [se̞.le̞k.sio̞n̪], blano [bläŋ.ko̞], lampa [läm.pä], latitud [lä.t̪i.t̪ud̪], león [le̞.o̞n̪], local [lo̞.käl]