/l/

The detail of the distribution of clear [l] and dark  in Welsh English is rather intricate, but the data from SAWD permits the following summary. In the south and midlands of Wales, [l] dominates in all phonetic environments. In the north, particularly in Gwynedd,  dominates in all positions. The peripheral, historically anglicized regions follow RP, with [l] before a vowel, and  before a consonant or pause. This Welsh English pattern is influenced by the Welsh language, in which /l/ is clear in southern Welsh and noticeably dark in northern Welsh, where it is accompanied by strong pharyngalization. Thus /l/ provides two of the popular diagnostics of Welsh English: dark, pharyngalized  in all positions for the main northern variety, and clear [l] in all positions for the main southern variety.