Final answer:
The difference between a dark 'l' and a clear 'l' in the English language relates to their position within a word, with a dark 'l' appearing at the end of a free stem and a clear 'l' appearing in the middle of a free stem.
Step-by-step explanation:
Dark 'l' vs. clear 'l'
The difference between a dark 'l' and a clear 'l' is related to the spelling rules in the English language. A dark 'l' is present when the letter 'l' appears at the end of a free stem, such as in the word 'dark.' On the other hand, a clear 'l' is present when the letter 'l' appears in the middle of a free stem, such as in the word 'little.'
For example, in the word 'darkroom,' the 'k' is spelled with a 'k' instead of 'c' or 'ck' because it is at the end of the free stem 'dark.' The same applies to other words like 'talk' and 'walk.' On the other hand, in words like 'little' and 'medal,' the 'l' is in the middle of the free stem, so it is pronounced as a clear 'l.'