Can I pronounce “that” as /ət/ ?

[IMPSX-UE]

Hi!

I know “that’ is usually pronounced as its weak form /ðət/ when it is used as a conjunction to introduce a new part of a sentence. But, do you think that there is a possibility of reducing /ðət/ to /ət/ when you are speaking more faster in informal American English?

Sometimes, when I watch movies, I heard that when those actors speak pretty fast, it seems they even reduce /ðət/ to /ət/. But I am not sure.


For example. Usually, we speak “that” in its weak form /ðət/ when we are talking in a little quick speed. As in this sentence, That's the man that fingered Abruzzi. - /mæn/ /ðət/

But, when you are speaking more faster, in a maximum speed in real life, do you think that you will even reduce this /ðət/ to /ət/ ? As in, That's the man that fingered Abruzzi. - /mæn/ /ət/

[BobK]

- in informal and hurried speech. The same applies to Br E.

b

PS Of course, when you say 'Can I?', it's probably best not to try to copy this.

[Charlie Bernstein]

In American English, it's actually two different words: a pronoun and a whatchacallit.

In "Give me that," the pronoun that rhymes with hat.

In "I thought that I did," that rhymes with pet.

[BobK]

Originally Posted by Charlie Bernstein

In American English, it's actually two different words: a pronoun and a whatchacallit.

In "Give me that," the pronoun that rhymes with hat.

In "I thought that I did," that rhymes with pet.

In Br English the same string of letters make two different sounds too - but not the same different sounds - /æ/ and /ǝ/. (BTW, whatchacallit = subordinating conjunction.)

b

[Brahmanyan]

The Dictionary pronunciation of this pronoun is 'that, emphasis on "th". It is only correct to pronounce the word as 'That'.
Regards,

Brahmanyan.

[BobK]

Originally Posted by Brahmanyan

The Dictionary pronunciation of this pronoun is 'that, emphasis on "th". It is only correct to pronounce the word as 'That'.
Regards,

Brahmanyan.

There can be no emphasis on part of a monosyllable, by definition. In this forum we try to avoid saying things like 'it is only correct' when talking about a national standard. There are lots. For example, in Br English the only correct way to write "It is only correct to pronounce the word as 'That'" is "The only correct way...".

b

[Charlie Bernstein]

Originally Posted by BobK

(BTW, whatchacallit = subordinating conjunction.)

b

Thanks - I'm filing that right behind disjunctive syllogism!