Consonants 5

Alveolar closure with the tip of the tongue gives ‘clear’ l, as in live. This
occurs before vowel sounds. After vowel sounds, (as in pool), and before consonants (as in help), the back of the tongue is raised towards the soft palate, giving ‘dark’ f (an allophone).

Examples:
/ l / live, pool, pulling 

An alveolar sound. The tongue blade closes against the alveolar ridge, and the rims of the tongue against the side teeth. If followed by / f / or / v / the closure may be labio-dental, or bilabial if followed by / p / or / b /. The soft palate is lowered, and air passes out through the nasal cavity. / n / is voiced, but may be devoiced, after / s /, for example (as in snow).

Examples:
/ n / no, on, infant, know

A velar sound. The back of the tongue closes against the soft palate. The closure is further forward if it follows on from a front vowel (compare sing and bang). The soft palate is lowered, and air passes out through the nasal cavity. / ŋ / is voiced and does not occur as an initial sound.

Examples:
/ ŋ / sing, sink, singing, sinking