[Quint. I. iv. 9.] Et k, quae et ipsa quorundam nominum nota est.
And:
[Quint. I. vii. 10.] Nam k quidem in nullis verbis utendum puto nisi quae significat etiam ut sola ponatur. Hoc eo non omisi quod quidam eam quotiens a sequatur necessariam credunt, cum sit c littera, quae ad omnes vocales vim suam perferat.
This use of k, as an initial, and in certain words, was regarded somewhat in the light of a literary ‘fancy.’ Priscian says of it:
[Keil. v. II. p. 12.] Et k quidem penitus supervacua est; nulla enim videtur ratio cur a sequente haec scribi debeat: Carthago enim et caput sive per c sive per k scribantur nullam faciunt nec in sono nec in potestate ejusdem consonantis differentiam.
L is pronounced as in English, only more distinctly and with the tongue more nearly approaching the teeth. The sound is thus given by Victorinus:
[Keil. v. VI. p. 32.] Sequetur l, quae validum nescio quid partem palati qua primordium dentibus superis est lingua trudente, diducto ore personabit.
But it varies according to its position in the force and distinctness with which it is uttered.
Pliny and others recognize three degrees of force:
Priscian says: