Reduction: can /kən/ or /kæn/

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

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

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