Here's why this is incorrect:
* Pronunciation differences: Mandarin Chinese does have a sound that's close to "L" but slightly different. It's called a retroflex approximant, and it's written as "l" in pinyin (the romanization system for Mandarin). However, it's not exactly the same as the English "L" sound.
* Phonetic variations: Just like in any language, people can have different accents and variations in their pronunciation. Some Mandarin speakers might pronounce the "l" sound more like an "r" or a "w" depending on their regional dialect. This doesn't mean they can't say "L" at all, just that their pronunciation might differ.
* Learning languages: Mandarin speakers who learn English often find the "L" sound tricky, but they can certainly learn to pronounce it.
In conclusion, it's inaccurate and unfair to say that Chinese people can't say the letter "L". It's a matter of pronunciation differences and the challenges of learning foreign languages.