Question

A velarized /l/ is a normal production for many speakers when the /l/ occurs in which position?

A. Word-Initial
B. Word-Medial
C. Word-Final
D. Word-Penultimate

Answer 1

Option (C), A velarized /l/ is typically found in the word-final position of words in many English dialects, which is known as a 'dark L.'

Step-by-step explanation:

A velarized /l/, often referred to as a 'dark L,' is a normal production for many speakers when the /l/ occurs in a word-final position. The 'dark L' sound is produced with the back of the tongue raised towards the soft palate (or velum), which is why it's described as 'velarized.'

This phonetic feature is common in many dialects of English and can be contrasted with the 'clear L' found at the beginning or middle of words. Examples of word-final velarized /l/s can be found in words such as 'feel' and 'ball.'