Where the L goes quiet

1. 1
   salmon/ˈsæmən/

   noun

   A large pink fish.
2. 2
   calm/kɑːm/iAlso said kɑːlm.

   adjective

   Quiet and not worried.
3. 3
   half/hæf/

   noun

   One of two equal parts.
4. 4
   folk/foʊk/

   noun

   People in general.
5. 5
   yolk/joʊk/

   noun

   The yellow middle of an egg.
6. 6
   talk/tɔːk/

   verb

   To speak with somebody.
7. 7
   walk/wɔːk/iAlso said wɑːk.

   verb

   To go on foot.
8. 8
   almond/ˈɑːmənd/

   noun

   A flat pale nut.
9. 9
   palm/pɑːm/iAlso said pɑːlm.

   noun

   The inside surface of your hand.
10. 10
    chalk/tʃɑːk/iAlso said tʃɔːk.

    noun

    Soft white stone used for writing.

The sentences

1. Is the salmon fresh this morning?

2. The sea was completely calm today.

3. I only want half of that, please.

4. The folk here have been very kind.

5. I would like the yolk left soft.

6. Could we talk about it later?

7. Shall we walk instead of waiting?

8. Does the cake have almond in it?

9. The mark is right across my palm.

10. The menu is written in chalk outside.

Pronunciation

• salmon/ˈsæmən/

  The L is silent: SAM-on.

• calm/kɑːm/

  The L is silent: it rhymes with palm.

• half/hæf/

  The L is silent: HAF.

• folk/foʊk/

  The L is silent: FOKE.

• yolk/joʊk/

  Rhymes with folk, and the L is just as silent.

• talk/tɔːk/

  The L is silent: it rhymes with walk.

• almond/ˈɑːmənd/

  Most speakers drop the L: AH-mond.

• palm/pɑːm/

  The L is silent: PAHM.

• chalk/tʃɑːk/

  Rhymes with walk, with no L in either.

Questions

What do I say if I want the yolk soft?

You can say 'I would like the yolk left soft.'

What does folk mean here?

Folk means people in general, as in 'The folk here have been very kind.'

What's a natural way to ask for half of something?

You could say 'I only want half of that, please.'