[l] vs. [r] in English
[l] vs. [r] in English
Series on Consonant Sounds in English
Introduction
A common problem for Japanese, Thai and some other Asian English language learners is to fail to distinguish the sounds [l] and [r] in the letters /l/ and /r/.
Though the two sounds may seem similar to a Japanese or some other speakers, to a native English speaker, they are clearly different. In fact, there are several words in English where the only difference between two words are the [l] and the [r] sounds.
Example
“Glass” (with the [l] sound) is the clear material that makes up a window or a clear cup.
“Grass” (with the [r] sound) is the green plant material on the ground.
“Law” (with the [l] sound) is the system of rules in a society.
“Raw” (with the [r] sound) is uncooked food, such as the fish in sushi.
So, you can see that in order to speak clearly and accurately, it’s essential for English language learners to master the difference between [l] and [r].
How to say [l] and [r]
The key to creating these correct sounds is the tip of your tongue.
[l]
To create the [l] sound, the tip of your tongue should make contact with the top of your mouth (your gums), just behind your top teeth.
- [l]
[r]
To create the [r] sound, the tip of your tongue must NOT make contact with any part of your mouth. Your lips are somewhat “pursed” or rounded. The sides of your tongue may touch your teeth. But the tip of your tongue should be in the middle of your mouth, without touching anything.
- [r]
So, remember, when pronouncing the [l] and [r] sounds correctly, focus on the tip of your tongue.
To review:
→ To say the [l] sound, the tip of your tongue makes contact with your mouth, just behind your top teeth.
→ To say the [r] sound, the tip of your tongue should not make contact with your mouth.
Got it?
Let’s practice.
Listen and Repeat
glass [GLÆS]
grass [GRÆS]
• glass, grass
law [lɑw]
raw [rɑw]
• law, raw
climb [klɑiym]
crime [krɑiym]
• climb, crime
light [lɑiyt]
right [rɑiyt]
• light, right
Now let’s practice words that have both the [l] and [r] sounds in them. To pronounce them correctly, remember, focus on the tip of your tongue.
Listen and Repeat
realistic
parallel
celebrate
really
Don’t worry if this is difficult for you. Improving your pronunciation takes practice. Just focus on the tip of your tongue, practice over and over again, record and listen to yourself and watch your mouth and tongue in the mirror to notice what they’re doing when you pronounce the [l] and [r] sounds.
ElementalEnglish.com is your resource for free English language and pronunciation lessons, 無料オンライン英語教材, 免费在线英文课程, 免費在線英文課程, मुफ़्त ऑनलाइन अंग्रेज़ी, آنلائن مفت میں انگریزی سیکھئے, Kostenloser Englisch-Unterricht Online, Język angielski online, Học tiếng anh miễn phí, Libreng Pag-aaral ng Wikang Ingles sa Internet, Libreng Pag-aaral ng Wikang Ingles Online, دروس في اللغة الانجليزية على الانترنت مجانا, American English pronunciation, アメリカ英語の発音, 纯正美语发音, 純正美語發音, अमरीकी अंग्रेज़ी, امریکی انگریزی کا تلفّظ سیکھئے, Amerikanisches Englisch Aussprache, wymowa język angielski, Học tiếng anh miễn phí, Wastong Pagbigkas ng American English sa Internet, astong Pagbigkas ng, تعلم اللهجة الامريكية على الانترنت, American English Online
