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  #1  
Old 07-Mar-2009, 18:16
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Default Can I pronounce “that” as /ət/ ?

Hi!

I know “that’ is usually pronounced as its weak form ət/ 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 ət/ 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 ət/ 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 ət/ to /ət/ ? As in, That's the man that fingered Abruzzi. - /mæn/ /ət/
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Old 07-Mar-2009, 20:29
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Default Re: Can I pronounce “that” as /ət/ ?

- 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.

Last edited by BobK; 07-Mar-2009 at 20:34. Reason: Added PS
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Old 11-Mar-2009, 18:31
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Default Re: Can I pronounce “that” as /ət/ ?

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.
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Old 11-Mar-2009, 21:24
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Default Re: Can I pronounce “that” as /ət/ ?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Charlie Bernstein View Post
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
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Old 13-Mar-2009, 05:35
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Default Re: Can I pronounce “that” as /ət/ ?

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

Brahmanyan.
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Old 13-Mar-2009, 10:53
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Default Re: Can I pronounce “that” as /ət/ ?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Brahmanyan View Post
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
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Old 17-Mar-2009, 14:32
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Default Re: Can I pronounce “that” as /ət/ ?

Quote:
Originally Posted by BobK View Post
(BTW, whatchacallit = subordinating conjunction.)

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