Ll

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Latin_digraph_L_L
Latin_letter_middle-welsh_LL
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Latin_digraph_L_with_middle_dot_L
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== Ll ==

Ll is a digraph in various languages, including Spanish, Welsh, and Catalan. It represents different sounds in these languages and has distinct historical and phonetic significance.

Spanish[edit | edit source]

In Spanish, the digraph ll was traditionally considered a separate letter of the alphabet, known as "elle." It represents the voiced palatal lateral approximant /ʎ/ in some dialects, though in many modern dialects, it is pronounced as a voiced palatal fricative /ʝ/ or even as a voiced postalveolar fricative /ʒ/. This phenomenon is known as yeísmo.

Welsh[edit | edit source]

In Welsh, ll represents a voiceless alveolar lateral fricative /ɬ/. It is a distinctive sound in the Welsh language and is used in many common words and names, such as "Llanelli" and "Llewelyn."

Catalan[edit | edit source]

In Catalan, the digraph ll represents the voiced palatal lateral approximant /ʎ/, similar to its traditional pronunciation in Spanish. It is used in words like "llengua" (language) and "llibre" (book).

Phonetic Evolution[edit | edit source]

The pronunciation of ll has evolved differently in various languages and dialects. In Spanish, the shift from /ʎ/ to /ʝ/ or /ʒ/ is a notable example of phonetic change over time. In Welsh, the sound /ɬ/ remains distinct and is an important feature of the language's phonology.

Orthographic Status[edit | edit source]

The status of ll as a separate letter has changed over time. In Spanish, it was considered a separate letter until 1994, when the Royal Spanish Academy decided to treat it as a digraph. In Welsh, it remains a distinct letter in the alphabet.

Related Pages[edit | edit source]

Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD