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American Accent

Date: Sep 04 2010

Topic: Pronunciation

Author: jayyy

Lesson

"CAN" or "CAN'T"?

This is a common problem.You need to know that negative auxiliaries (such as can't, won't, wouldn't, isn't, etc) are stressed, but affirmative ones are not. Therefore, because "can't" is stressed, the vowel "a" is longer than in the word "can." "Can" is reduced and sounds kind of like "kn." This reduced vowel is short and neutral (schwa sound). Practice this: I kn go. (can) I caaan't go. (the phonetic symbol is /ae/ so it's not actually the British sounding /a/.)

If you only listen for the "t" at the end of the "can't" you might still be confused since that final "t" is usually held. It's kind of like a silent, half T. This is why it's important for you to know the rules of English word stress and rhythm. Also, following these rules will create a native sounding melody in your speech.

Good luck!

Comments

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gigi2550

gigi2550

Thailand

good explanation for readers to understand and practice easily. Next is a follower to try pronouncing it properlyCool

12:40 AM Oct 17 2011 |

-Benny-

-Benny-

Thailand

wow thank you so much…

08:28 AM Oct 16 2011 |

zhaozhiwei

zhaozhiwei

China

in many cases ,the letter pronunciation makes me confusing, i can’t reading smoothly,i can’t listening clearly.all because of it

07:27 AM Oct 14 2011 |

zhaozhiwei

zhaozhiwei

China

it’s useful for me

07:19 AM Oct 14 2011 |

木兰花

木兰花

China

useful one

07:02 AM Oct 14 2011 |

HappyAnt

Viet Nam

quite good but it’s too little. I want to have pronunciation of all the constants.

06:50 AM Oct 14 2011 |

kinawang

kinawang

China

Smile detail

07:58 AM Sep 09 2010 |

Nitesh Singh

India

popular

08:25 PM Sep 08 2010 |

icanican

India

good but we need mor help if u dont mind

10:22 PM Sep 07 2010 |

lone4ever

lone4ever

Yemen

good thanks bro

02:29 PM Sep 07 2010 |

Khulood

United Arab Emirates

Awesome, this is helpful!Laughing

07:05 PM Sep 05 2010 |

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