Velarization is a secondary articulation where the back of the tongue is raised towards the soft palate during the production of certain consonant sounds. Specifically, it refers to the dark or velarized variant of the alveolar lateral approximant [ɫ], as compared to the light [l] sound. Dark [ɫ] typically occurs after a vowel and at the end of words, while light [l] usually appears before a vowel, often at the start of words.

1. VELARIZATION
• A secondary articulation
• The raising of the back of the tongue towards
the back of the soft palate (velum).
• [l] (alveolar lateral approximant)
• [ɫ] “dark L”

2. How to differentiate
dark/velarized L from the light
L?

4. - L that is followed by a vowel are light
L, usually the sound occur at the beginning of
a word.
- Eg: light, load, lack, less etc.
- Dark L usually follows a vowel and are
normally the sound that occur at the end of a
word.
- Eg: Field, kill, pill, seal, pool, appeal