it's embarrassing...

[alikim]

...but every time I'm trying to say "can't" as [kɑːnt] it comes out with [ʌ] instead and I get myself into trouble, so I have to say it differently.

I'd like to ask which is the lesser evil: to say [kæ̱nt] or ['kænɔt]?

 

[5jj]

...but every time I'm trying to say "can't" as [kɑːnt] it comes out with [ʌ] instead and I get myself into trouble, so I have to say it differently.

I'd like to ask which is the lesser evil: to say [kæ̱nt] or ['kænɔt]?

['kænɔt], though[kænt] is fine in AmE.

But, if you are having problems with this, then you must be having problems with many other pairs - ant/aunt, ban/barn, cat/cart, bad/barred, pat/part, etc. Are you sure that a tiny little part of you isn't enjoying a frisson of satisfaction at getting this particular word wrong?

 

[Raymott]

['kænɔt], though[kænt] is fine in AmE.

But, if you are having problems with this, then you must be having problems with many other pairs - ant/aunt, ban/barn, cat/cart, bad/barred, pat/part, etc. Are you sure that a tiny little part of you isn't enjoying a frisson of satisfaction at getting this particular word wrong?

Doesn't it imply he's having trouble with barn/bun, cart/cut, part/putt ...?
He can say 'can'; he can't say 'can't'

 

[Raymott]

...but every time I'm trying to say "can't" as [kɑːnt] it comes out with [ʌ] instead and I get myself into trouble, so I have to say it differently.

I'd like to ask which is the lesser evil: to say [kæ̱nt] or ['kænɔt]?

You're eventually going to have to learn to say "can't".
Well, it's simple. You are Italian, so you know how to say double letters (at least consonants). Just give the ɑːa double or triple value, and say /kɑɑɑ:nt/ or even /ka:ənt/, as we Aussies say anyway.

PS: Or 'carnt' (with non-rhotic 'r'), or 'cannnt' - any trick that makes you prolong the word would do.

 

[5jj]

Doesn't it imply he's having trouble with barn/bun, cart/cut, part/putt ...?
He can say 'can'; he can't say 'can't'

You are right. Thank you.

 

[alikim]

Thanks guys! I'll stick to ['kænɔt] for the time being

... Just give the ɑːa double or triple value, and say /kɑɑɑ:nt/ or even /ka:ənt/, as we Aussies say anyway.
PS: Or 'carnt' (with non-rhotic 'r'), or 'cannnt' - any trick that makes you prolong the word would do.

all these tricks like explicitly saying /kɑɑɑ:nt/ will only make it worse as it's obvious what I'm trying to avoid, and you Aussies will not just let it by

 

[Raymott]

Thanks guys! I'll stick to ['kænɔt] for the time being



all these tricks like explicitly saying /kɑɑɑ:nt/ will only make it worse as it's obvious what I'm trying to avoid, and you Aussies will not just let it by

Really? How often has that happened?
If people down in Sydney are really that picky, how are they going to react when you say 'cannot' every time you mean can't. If you said /kɑɑɑ:nt/, I would simply assume you were trying to pronounce it properly, as non-native speakers usually try to do with all words.

 

[riquecohen]

...but every time I'm trying to say "can't" as [kɑːnt] it comes out with [ʌ] instead and I get myself into trouble, so I have to say it differently.

I'd like to ask which is the lesser evil: to say [kæ̱nt] or ['kænɔt]?

Why is this a problem? I'm sure the Australians can understand you.