Theory of phonetics

[р]
Is a rolled cacuminal alveolar sonorant. The difference is in manner of the noise production. The tongue tip vibrates, interrupting the air-stream repeatedly and forming momentary obstructions against the alveolar ridge 2 or 3 times.

[j] Is articulated with the front part of the tongue held against the hard palate at approximately the same height as in pronouncing the vowel [i]. The sides of the tongue are raised, leaving the air-passage open along the median line of the tongue. The air-passage between the front of the tongue and the hard palate is rather wide. The sound is very short and weak. The tongue immediately glides from the position for [j] to that of the following vowel.

[й] Is pronounced with more noise and is a fricative consonant.

[l] 1) “clear” is used before vowels of the high row and [j]. For example, lip [lip], leave [li:v], value ['vxljH]. The front of the tongue is raised in the direction of the hard palate, thus slightly palatalizing the sound. 2) “dark” [ł] is used before consonants and in word final position. For example, children ['CIłdrqn], bell [beł]. T he back of the tongue is raised in the direction of the soft palate. It gives a dark colouring of the sound. In pronouncing both variants of [l] the tongue tip is slightly pressed against the alveolar ridge while the sides of the tongue are lowered forming rather wide passages. The air passes through these channels without audible friction.

[л'] Is more palatalized than the English clear [l] because the front of the tongue is raised higher (in Russian). The Russian non-palatalized [л] is darker than the English [ł], because the back of the tongue is raised still higher (in Russian) while the front of the tongue is lower. The place of the articulation of [л] and [л'] Is different: in Russian sounds the tongue tip is pressed against the upper teeth, whereas in the production of [l] the tip is pressed against the alveolar ridge.