How to Pronounce the Dark L
English has two voiced L sounds: light L and dark L. They use different mouth positions.
Dark L is a two-step sound — pull the tongue back first, then finish with a light-L contact — so words like girl and circle are clear.
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Steps
- Learn light L first (the familiar one): tip of the tongue up, or tongue against the top front teeth — natives use both. Light L when L starts a syllable (everyday and work examples: look, last, lead).
- For dark L step 1: pull the tongue back a little so the tip touches the bottom front teeth, and make a voiced sound from that back position (Josh’s “oh”-like dark quality).
- For dark L step 2: finish the same way as light L — tongue up or out.
- Practice dark-L words (L ends a syllable): call, circle, girl, deal, file, email, detail.
- Put both in one sentence: “Please send the last email with the file.”
Examples
Light L (L starts the syllable): look, last, lead
Dark L (L ends the syllable): call, circle, girl, deal, file, email, detail
Mixed sentence: “Please send the last email with the file.”
Josh’s rule: L at the start of a syllable = light L · L at the end of a syllable = dark L
Light L — L starts the syllable
Dark L — L ends the syllable
Related: American R · Syllabic consonants
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Common questions
What is the difference between light L and dark L?
Josh: both are voiced, but dark L starts with the tongue pulled back (tip at the bottom front teeth) before finishing like light L.
Which tongue position is “correct” for light L?
Josh teaches two options — tip up, or against the top front teeth — and says natives use both.
Which words use dark L?
Dark-L examples mix everyday and work words: call, circle, girl, deal, file, email, detail — L ends the syllable in each.
