徐涵玉
American English pronunciation about "dark L"

My native language is Mandarin(Official Chinese), and I think the "Light L" is easy to speak. But it's really very hard for me to pronounce some words like "Little -> /'Li -> d -> schwa -> "Dark L"/" and "girl ". I have learned it for two days but still failed, so if the "Dark L" is not difficult for you, What's the secret to pronounce it?

Thank you very much.   :)

2017年5月21日 15:18
留言 · 3
3
It's like the difference between Mandarin finals "-n" and "-ng" and will color the preceding vowels in much the same way.

Light L is with the tongue in the front of your mouth, like N. 

Dark L is with the tongue in the back your mouth, like NG. 

Note that, while the use of dark L is standard (and nice to know for comprehension), it's no big deal if you don't use it, as the difference is not phonemic.
2017年5月21日
1
Thank you very much.   :)
2017年5月22日
You're welcome. Feel free to send me a message if you have further questions.
2017年5月23日