'a L2' or 'an L2'
Dear Italki colleagues
In scholarly manuscripts the abbreviation 'L2', meaning 'second language' is often used. How do you pronounce this in reading: 'English is an el two in our country' or 'English is a second language in our country?' In other words: what is the correct spelling in a manuscript: 'a L2' or 'an L2'?

Question

'a L2' or 'an L2'
Dear Italki colleagues
In scholarly manuscripts the abbreviation 'L2', meaning 'second language' is often used. How do you pronounce this in reading: 'English is an el two in our country' or 'English is a second language in our country?' In other words:  what is the correct spelling in a manuscript: 'a L2' or 'an L2'?

Answer

AN L2.

Try saying, "A L2"     !     It sounds horrible. Ugh ehl too !  Sounds like a Neanderthal grunting.

Now say, "ANelltoo."  What a lovely sound! It flows.  As Michael says, Go with the phonetics.  A university, An umbrella.

Answer

It would be "an L2".  The rule is purely phonetic, hence this example: "I have a UK banknote in my wallet."

If we see "L2" in writing, we don't read it as "second language".

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