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Podcast Archive | Thursday August 10th 2017 Share In today's podcast, we're going to learn how to correctly pronounce the difference between can and can't, applying the vowels /I/ and /æ / from past lessons. Some of my students in New York often tell me they have trouble understanding if a native speaker said "can", (affirmative) or "can't", ( negative). It can also be difficult for students to communicate that distinction when speaking to native speakers.
In full sentences, the two major differences between can and can't :
Using the correct Vowel: example: I can swim= I /kIn/ swim. (see podcast #2 for vowel /I/) In the negative case, the vowel is /æ /: can't=/kænt/ example: I can't swim =I /kænt/ swim. (see podcast #6) Exercise : Listen and Repeat: Affirmative: I can swim= I /kIn/ swim. Negative : I can't swim= I /kænt/ swim. Stressing the Right Word : In the affirmative : stress the main verb Yes, I can swim. In the negative case :stress the modal verb, can't, as well No, I can't swim. American Pronunciation of <t> in "can't" : Americans usually don't pronounce the< t> in can't . In American English, if <t> comes before a consonant or a pause, Americans often replace /t/ with a glottal stop. /?/ Example: what = /wha/ It's a hot place = It's a /ha?pleIs/ In a glottal stop /?/, we don't release the air of <t>. We stop the air in our throats at the glottis (vocal folds). In future lessons, the glottal stop /?/ will be taught in greater detail. *It's not necessary to use the glottal stop. It's perfectly okay for you to use a regular aspirated /t/. Example: can't =/kæn?/ *Because Americans often don't pronounce the <t> in "can't", it's important to listen for other signals to indicate affirmative or negative. Listen for these signals: affirmative : vowel is /I/: /kIn/ negative: vowel is /æ/: /kænt/ affirmative: stress the main verb negative: stress the modal verb "can't " Exercise: Listen and repeat the following sentences which contain can and can't . Pay careful attention to vowel quality and word stress. can (affirmative) can't (negative) I can meet you. I can't meet you. You can call me. You can't call me. He can come. He can't come. She can afford it. She can't afford it. It can work. It can't work. We can have lunch. We can't have lunch. They can go to the meeting. They can't go to the meeting. Exercise: Listen to the following sentences which contain can and can't . Write down whether they are in the affirmative, "can" or the negative "can't . <t> will not be aspirated, so pay attention to vowel quality and words stress. Learning the American pronunciation of "can" and "can't" often takes time, especially if your teachers have not been native speakers . But with practice and repetition, you will get it! Looking for more practice? Try Best Accent Training mp3s! Any questions, comments or suggestions ? Contact us at: contact@englishpronunciationpod.com Thank you and see you next time! | "Excellent! |
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