liquids

Lecture No.12
title: Liquids
Liquid sounds are found in many world s languages. English has two voiced ones: /l/ and /r/. The term liquid is a nontechnical, impressionistic expression indicating that the sound is smooth and flows easily. Liquids share properties of both consonants and vowels. As in the articulation of certain consonants, the tongue blade is raisedtoward the alveolar ridge; as in the articulation of vowels, air ia allowed to pass through the oral cavity without friction.
/l/ is a lateral alveolar liquid. In the articulation of English /l/, the tongue blade is raised and the apex makes contact with the alveolar ridge. The sides of the tongue are lowered , permitting the air and sound energy to flow outward. This sound is represented in the following words: like, almost, fill, play.
There are two types of lateral /l/ such as clear /l/ and dark /l/. The former usually occurs initially as in : lake, like, life, leave. Also, it can occur medially after consonants and before vowels as in play. The latter usually occurs finally as in hill,will,drill. It can also occur medially after vowels and before consonants as in almost.
/r/ is a nonlateral alveolar liquid. This sound is produced with a tongue blade that is raised toward the alveolar ridge. Many speakers curl the apex into a retroflexed position . others press the tongue tip against the lower gum. This sound is also produced with lip rounding and a retraction of the tongue root. This sound is represented in the following words: red, write, drink, drive. This sound is not pronounced before consonant as in learn. Also it is not pronounced finally unless followed by a word beginning with a vowel as in father.