Understanding /l/ Versus /r/

Mastering the American Accent » Understanding /l/ Versus /r/

Understanding /l/ Versus /r/

Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great.
Mark Twain

Warning: Common Mistake

If your tongue is not touching the right place, your /l/ will sound like an /r/. For example, the word wall might sound like war. To correctly pronounce the /l/, make sure that the tip of your tongue is in the front, near the upper front teeth when it touches the top of your mouth. If the tip of your tongue is pulled farther back in the mouth, it might sound like an /r/ instead. Use a mirror to see the position of your tongue for the /l/ sound.

/l/ and /r/ in the final position

Pay attention to the position of your tongue as you practice these two final sounds. Prolong the sounds as you concentrate on what your tongue is doing.

Sound Contrasts for Practice

	final /l/	final /r/
1.	feel	fear
2.	deal	dear
3.	stole	store
4.	mole	more
5.	bowl	bore
6.	tile	tire
7.	while	wire
8.	file	fire

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