Have you ever stopped to think about why Spanish has words with a double LL, like the name of the beautiful Andean animal, the llama?
The LL sound comes from Latin and originated as a way to extend the sound of the letter L. For many years, starting in 1803, LL was considered an independent letter of the Spanish alphabet. However, since 2010, it has officially been considered two letters that represent a single palatal lateral sound.
What makes the LL truly fascinating is that its pronunciation changes depending on the region in Latin America:
1️⃣ Pronounced like Y
In some countries or regions, such as Colombia, the LL sounds like Y (a voiced palatal central sound).
For example, the word llave sounds like “yave”.
This phenomenon is known as yeísmo.
2️⃣ Pronounced like a soft “li” sound
In other places, the LL is pronounced as a lateral sound with the tongue raised.
So the word amarillo may sound like “amarillio”.
3️⃣ Pronounced like “sh”
In countries like Argentina, the LL is pronounced like “sh”.
A sentence such as “yo me llamo” sounds like “yo me shamo.”
⸻
📌 A very important rule to remember
The LL is never separated into syllables.
Correct examples:
• ca ba lle ro
• bo ca di llo
❌ Incorrect syllable division:
• ca-ba-l -le-ro
• bo-ca-di-l-lo
⸻
🎯 Let’s see how your Spanish sounds!
Try repeating this tongue twister (kept in Spanish on purpose):
“No llames a la llama porque la llama llama al que no la llama.”
How does your pronunciation sound? 😄
⸻
🌎 Learn this and much more!
Discover these and many other fascinating aspects of Spanish in our online or in-person Spanish classes at Fundación Bolívar Education.
👉 We are waiting for you!
www.ecuadorvolunteers.org