What level of difficulty do Japanese learners of English face concerning the /l/ sound?

Japanese learners of English often face challenges with the /l/ sound due to phonemic differences between the two languages. In Japanese, there is no distinct /l/ sound; instead, there is a sound that is a combination of /l/ and /r/, often referred to as a flap sound. This results in a phonemic difficulty, where learners struggle to differentiate and produce the /l/ sound accurately because it does not exist in their native phonetic inventory.

As a result, words that contain the /l/ sound may be pronounced differently, making it difficult for learners to recognize or reproduce these sounds when speaking or listening in English. Phonemic awareness is crucial for language acquisition, and mastering sounds that don't exist in one's first language is a common hurdle for language learners. Understanding this aspect is essential for educators to help address these challenges through targeted pronunciation practice and auditory discrimination exercises.