Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

ddh33 · Joined: 18 Oct 2005 Posts: 21 Location: Eugene, OR

I can't tell the difference when I hear people say them or when I try to say them. The "t" sound is often omitted. Some people tell me that you put more stress on "can't" and the tone is a bit different. But if that's all it's too subtle for me.
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Duheng Deng -- I'm from China. Although I've been in the States for 2 years, I still have problems with English from time to time. Let's help each other out.

Lorikeet · Joined: 08 Oct 2005 Posts: 1877 Location: San Francisco

You will probably get different answers, depending on the version of English of the person answering. Mine is midwestern American English. In general, in a positive sentence, the "can" is usually reduced so the vowel sounds more like a "schwa" sound. (Written as an upside down e, it is the vowel sound for many unstressed syllables too.)

In a sentence like "I can go." the "can" is reduced, and the stress is on the verb "go". On the other hand, in the negative sentence, the stress is on the "can't" and the vowel is an /ae/ sound, the sound in "cat."

In addition, the "t" at the end of the word is voiceless, and that shortens the vowel, as well as cutting the "n". I tell my students it is similar to the sound they make when they cough. So they try to pronounce "can't" with a cough at the end, if that makes any sense!

Well, sorry it's very hard to explain pronunciation without giving you something to listen to.

ddh33 · Joined: 18 Oct 2005 Posts: 21 Location: Eugene, OR

Thanks. I'm digging it. I live in Oregon. It's the Pacific Northwest, if it matters at all...
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Duheng Deng -- I'm from China. Although I've been in the States for 2 years, I still have problems with English from time to time. Let's help each other out.

Lorikeet · Joined: 08 Oct 2005 Posts: 1877 Location: San Francisco

Ah, well then you can probably listen to people around you and see what I mean. Oregon is pretty much the same as California, I think. (That's where I am now.)

ddh33 · Joined: 18 Oct 2005 Posts: 21 Location: Eugene, OR

I just can't tell...Well most of the time I can. But when they are stressing on the positive "can" in some situations, I can't tell. Plus, I don't know how to properly pronounce them. It's gotten to the point where I have to say "cannot" for "can't" or people would misunderstand. It's awkward. Crying or Very sad

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Duheng Deng -- I'm from China. Although I've been in the States for 2 years, I still have problems with English from time to time. Let's help each other out.

Lorikeet · Joined: 08 Oct 2005 Posts: 1877 Location: San Francisco

Yes, when "can" is stressed, it becomes harder. However, see if you can ask someone to say a few examples. If you listen hard, you should hear that the "can't" is shorter, and ends in a sound like a cough. (That's the only way I can figure to explain it, without giving an example, sorry)

Lucas Scott · Joined: 15 Dec 2005 Posts: 50 Location: Suzhou, China

Lucas Scott · Joined: 15 Dec 2005 Posts: 50 Location: Suzhou, China

Lorikeet · Joined: 08 Oct 2005 Posts: 1877 Location: San Francisco

Ah, I see how "come in" and "coming" could sound very similar. There are two differences that I see. First of all, the stress is different. The stress is on "in" in "come in" and on "com" in "coming." That alone should help you tell the difference. The other difference is usually a /ng/ at the end of "coming" and an /n/ at the end of "in"; however, in some regional variations, you might hear "comin'" instead of "coming" but I don't have that in my dialect.

ddh33 · Joined: 18 Oct 2005 Posts: 21 Location: Eugene, OR

Thanks Lorikeet. I'll be paying extra attention to the differences you noted.
_________________
Duheng Deng -- I'm from China. Although I've been in the States for 2 years, I still have problems with English from time to time. Let's help each other out.