Diphthong /əʊ/ versus dark /l/, 17 pairs     [uncouncl.html]

I was asked by David Potter to supply a list of minimal pairs for /əʊ/ versus dark /l/, which he tells me is a problem for Chinese learners. I was unable to run a full check, but I found the following words with final /əʊ/ and I doubt whether the contrast occurs other than finally.

 	
barrow barrel
credo cradle
deco decal
in toto in total
inferno infernal
jumbo jumble
lento lentil
loco local
meadow medal
NATO natal
radio radial
recto rectal
sorrow sorrel
tango tangle
tempo temple
unco uncle
widow widdle

John Higgins, Shaftesbury, December 2010
updated Chiang Mai, 2024