al variant

Rule Core

The al sound shift occurs when a + l is influenced by a dark L, causing /æ/ to shift toward /ɔː/ or /ɑː/. The vowel and /l/ function as a single sound unit.

Articulation Guide

Raise the back of the tongue, round the lips slightly, and let airflow pass along the sides of the tongue to form a dark, resonant /l/.

Word Analysis

• also /ˈɔːlsoʊ/: not /ˈæːlsoʊ/
• baseball /ˈbeɪsbɔːl/: ball → /bɔːl/
• volleyball /ˈvɑːlibɔːl/: clear al-shift in stressed syllable

Pitfalls

Do not overgeneralize: salad and balance keep /æ/ because the L is light.