LL pronunciation

Question

I note that the LL contained in Spanish words can either be pronounced as a strong "Ya" or as "Ja". Is there a formula which decides which it is - for example which vowel is before or after the LL, or is it a country by country preference ?

I have listed to many of the LL vocab audios on this site, but cannot pick a trend,

Thanks in advance from this self-teacher.

Answer 1

The 'll' sound varies from country to country. While in Spain, I know that is a 'ya', in Argentina in some places, it's sound is 'sh'. Caballo would therefore equal,'Cabasho'. For pronounciation of 'll' research lleismo.

Alternate link:

http://www.orbilat.com/Languages/Spanish/Grammar/Spanish- Manners_and_Styles_of_Speech.html

Answer 2

CameronD, I wouldn't try to make it more difficult than it is. I am a native English speaker from South Georgia, US, and I pronounce 'LL' with a fairly hard 'ja' because that was the way I was taught. I've adapted that 'style' and I don't think about it anymore, and I've never been corrected. I doubt I could even change at this point in the game ....

Thanks Jack - in what country or countries has your hard "ja" been unchallenged. - CameronD, Nov 22, 2010

Answer 3

Many thanks - I guessed it wasn't simple