Canadian L

Hi people.
I've come across this:
''There is a definite difference in the consonant "L". General
American "L" tends to be velar (back of the throat), whereas the
General Canadian sound -- especially at the start of a word or
syllable -- is pronounced more on the tip of the tongue -- similar
to the French "clear L"; not nearly as palatal as the corresponding
German sound. Hearing this pronunciation of "L" is often my first
"heads-up" that a speaker may be Canadian. ''

Could someone confirm this?
Is it true?


thanks

I have never noticed this. Based on my experience, most people from the United States and Canada generally use a darker L in most cases. I remember reading somewhere that some people in the Southeastern United States often have a clear L and dark L distinction, but I don't recall hearing it anywhere else in North America. Of course, some dialects have a much darker form of L than others do, but on the average, I would say that most fall clearly into the dark L category.

Somehow I highly doubt it. Although perhaps in General American it is. But, heck, what do I know? We'll have to wait for the Authority on General American to comment.

I'm Canadian and I've noticed that my /l/ is generally lighter than most Americans (though it is still in the 'dark' category). This could be due to any of a few reasons: I speak French, and half of my family is French-Canadian, or the other possibility is because this area was largely settled by the Irish, who tend to have very clear /l/.