Is there any truth to the claims that our accent is the way it is because of our forefathers drinking habits?

Victoria University public speaking expert Dean Frankel made claims that other experts have condemned as unfounded that the Australian alphabet was influenced by alcohol because the first British settlers in the country were big drinkers.

Among his claims, Frankel said Australians are only using two-thirds of their vocal capacity. According to Frankel the Australian alphabet is 23 letters long, with L being one of the missing letters. He explained that many Australians find it hard to use “l” in the middle of their word.

Read more at: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-10-28/aussies-slur-their-words-because-our-forefathers-were-drunk/6892910