Question
Updated on
7 February
- Korean
-
English (US)
Question about English (US)
It's still hard for me to distinguish the exact pronunciation of words "Can" and "Can't" when I listen them in a sentence. Could somebody help me with voice recording or teach me some tips for it?
It's still hard for me to distinguish the exact pronunciation of words "Can" and "Can't" when I listen them in a sentence. Could somebody help me with voice recording or teach me some tips for it?
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- English (US)
It’s so true. When spoken casually, the two words can be almost identical. I think the tone and rhythm of the sentence is a lot of what makes it understandable to English speakers, rather than hearing that “t”.
We will emphasize that “t” sound when we can tell we weren’t understood.
But, the casual “can” or “can’t” can be very fast and muddled.
Highly-rated answerer
- English (UK)
- English (US)
Yeah it can be hard with American English
The thing is, when an American says "I can go" they say it more like "I cn go" instead of the usual "can" (which sounds like can't) a lot of the time, it sounds like the a isn't there
Highly-rated answerer
- English (US)
To add to the voice recording above. When speaking casually:
Can --> Sounds more like 'kin' or 'kn' or even k'
~~~~~I'kn do it. --> I can do it.
~~~~~She'k go to the party. --> She can go to the party.
~~~~~Why'kin she jump like that? ---> Why can she jump like that?
Can't --> Sounds more like can or can'k
~~~~Why'can she understand me? --> Why can't she understand me?
~~~~We can'kgo to to the store this weekend. --> We can't go to the store this weekend.
Whether the word is 'can' or 'can't' can be oftentimes determined by the speaker's inflection too. You may have to pull up some sentences on Accentia to really get a feel for the difference.
(Also, it's worth noting that these words only sound like their direct pronunciation when they are said with emphasis.)
- Korean
@cudzoo@tangylime18@rightside_10 Thanks a lot for your tips all. I realize its subtleness. Thank yoy again.
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