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Eva Easton's American English Pronunciation

Eva Easton's American English Pronunciation

American English Pronunciation

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Reduction: can /kən/ or /kæn/

Tuesday, January 29, 2019 by Eva Easton 1 Comment

Reduction is a basic element of American English Pronunciation.

English is a stress based language.
stressed syllables: louder, stronger
unstressed syllables: shorter, softer

Reduction happens when we don’t stress a syllable.
The unstressed vowel becomes shorter, softer …/ә/.

In this lesson, we practice the word:  can


And now it’s your turn.
Here’s your audio pronunciation quiz.
What do you hear?
/kən/ or /kæn/

1. 
https://www.evaeaston.com/wp-content/uploads/can-hamburger.mp3Can I have a hamburger, fries, and a coke.
2. 
https://www.evaeaston.com/wp-content/uploads/can-sorr-mam.mp3Sorry, ma'am. I can't help you, but I'll pass you on to someone who can.
3. 
https://www.evaeaston.com/wp-content/uploads/can-do-for.mp3What can I do for you?
4. 
https://www.evaeaston.com/wp-content/uploads/can-check-please.mp3Can we have the check, please
5. 
https://www.evaeaston.com/wp-content/uploads/can-fix-tire.mp3Where can I find someone to fix my tire?
6. 
https://www.evaeaston.com/wp-content/uploads/can-not-understand.mp3Can you say that again! I didn't understand everything you said.
7. 
https://www.evaeaston.com/wp-content/uploads/can-tire.mp3Don't doubt me. I really can change a tire. Can you?
8. 
https://www.evaeaston.com/wp-content/uploads/can-problem.mp3Can you help me with a problem?
9. 
https://www.evaeaston.com/wp-content/uploads/can-speak-slowly.mp3Can you please speak more slowly.
10. 
https://www.evaeaston.com/wp-content/uploads/can-bother.mp3Can you please stop bothering me!
11. 
https://www.evaeaston.com/wp-content/uploads/can-talk.mp3Who can I talk to?
12. 
https://www.evaeaston.com/wp-content/uploads/can-how-help-you.mp3How can I help you?
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Olga says

    Saturday, February 2, 2019 at 11:13 am

    Thanks for the useful lesson.

    Reply

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