Exercise 2: spelling 'l', at the end of a (part of) word

This sound is used in words like bal (ball) and kaal (bald).

Pronunciation:

There are two ways of pronouncing the l in Dutch: the so-called 'clear l' and 'dark l'. The first is used at the beginning of a word (or part of word) and the second is used at the end of a word (or part of word). French people only use the first one, the so-called 'clear l'. In Dutch this 'clear l' is only used at the start of a word (as in lat) or part of a word (as in beloofd).

To be able to make this sound (dark l) correctly, start saying the English sound 'l' (as in 'leg'), as this English 'l' is more or less the same as the Dutch one. You will notice that the tip of your tongue is positioned behind your front upper teeth and touches (part of) your palate. Now, from that position let the tip of the tongue slide downwards along the inner parts of your upper teeth, until you reach the bottom of your upper teeth. So it is only a slight movement. Then stick your tongue out only a little bit. Your tongue should now (automatically) be a bit flatter. This is the correct position to say the 'dark l'. Also, it should feel as if you pronounce this sound towards the back of your throat.

Now you should be able to pronounce the sound l.

Practise the following words:

1. bal
2. mol
3. telt
4. getal

Practise the following sentences:

1. Han wil.
2. Nel holt.

Pronounce: l