Liquids

L220

Liquids include speech sounds where the airstream is frictionless and is modified by a distinct positioning of the tongue. Liquids are different from glides. To form the lateral liquid the airstream is diverted around the edges of the tongue. (The term 'lateral' refers to edge or side.) To form the retroflex liquid the airstream is diverted around the tongue where the apex of the tongue is raised and curled somewhat backwards. The basic lateral sonorant and the basic retroflex sonorant are, respectively:

1. dental/alveolar lateral: "l" as in lull
2. dental/alveolar retroflex: "r" as in roar

There are several variants of these sounds. Consult your textbook or any other textbook on phonetics for a detailed description and discussion of these variants.

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• chart of the basic sounds of English"

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