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Diphthong /əʊ/ versus dark /l/, 17 pairs     

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

Credit: John Higgins