can and can't in American English

[Soup]

Originally Posted by enydia

Sorry to break in.

I have another relevant question.
When followed by a vowel, should the /t/ of can't be released?
For example, when we speak can't I, which is right, /kæntai/ or /kænai/ ?

Thanks in advance.

The <t> is released and switches syllables:

[kæn'tai] can't I
[kæn'nai] can I

[enydia]

Originally Posted by Soup

The <t> is released and switches syllables:

[kæn'tai] can't I [Should I stress 'can't' here?]
[kæn'nai] can I

Thank you, Soup.

[belly_ttt]

Originally Posted by Soup

Competence, I couldn't open the site.

Redgiant, the "secret" is as follows. With can't the <t> is formed but not released. The result is that <n> stops abruptly. In other words, although can't looks longer, it sounds shorter than can.

can (you can hum/sing <n>; therefore it sounds longer.
can't (you can't hum/sing <n>; therefore it sounds shorter.

Are you sure Soup? 'Cause in the American Accent Course (Ann Cook),they say can is often shorter than can't when it's not stressed. Your rule is true if the words are stressed.
I'm sorry but that what I think

[up4ever]

i think, as sb has previously said, it would be clear to distinguish between the two module expressions from the flow of speech... and , in informal talk, you have a better chance to ask for repeating what's been said.

[bwana_ndege]

Originally Posted by tzfujimino

Well, in British English, "can't" is pronounced, as in "park(without r-coloring)". It's phonetically different from the one pronounced in American English. "can" and "can't" are pronounced completely differently in BrE(I mean..in AmE, they sound similar), so they are easier to catch, I think. "t" is much stronger in BrE, I believe. So...in "Can't I", the last "t" sound much stronger, whereas in AmE, "can't I" and "can I" sound almost the same...

Absolutely right ! In BrE the pronounciation is very different for can and can't. "I /car-nt/ ..." as opposed to the AmE "I /can-t/" ... (sorry I can't write phonetically)

There's also the differences between can't, don't and won't.

[Soup]

Originally Posted by belly_ttt

Are you sure Soup? 'Cause in the American Accent Course (Ann Cook),they say can is often shorter than can't when it's not stressed. Your rule is true if the words are stressed.

As in when <can> is pronounced [kIn].