Learn to pronounce the words CAN’T and COUNT with this American English Pronunciation Lesson. Avoid an embarrassing mistake and don’t say CUNT.
Definitions:
Can’t is the contraction of CAN and NOT.
Count means to determine how many.
Pronunciation:
Can’t has a short a; /kænt/
Count has a long OW; /kaʊnt/
Cunt has a short u; /kʌnt/
Transcript:
Hi everyone jennifer from Tarle speech with your question of the week. I have two words today: can’t the contraction of can not
and count meaning to determine how many.
Take a look at our words we have can’t and count. So let’s start with that k sound to make this sound tip of your tongue is down back of your tongue is pulled up air puffs out. K.
For the ending the nt going to touch the tip of your tongue to the back of your top front teeth. For that n nnnn; air is going to move out of your nose. And then you’re going to pull your tongue down and allow that air to puff out for the teeth T T
N T N T
K N T
So we’ve got the beginning and the end.
Now for the vowels. For can’t we are going to say a very open short ah sound: can’t. To do that open your mouth in a wide round circle, the tip of your tongue is very low in your mouth, ah, the back of your tongue is pulled high up and your tongue is relatively wide.
can’t can’t can’t
Now for count you’re going to move your mouth from open to a pucker, ow. So open your mouth really wide. Again in a wide round circle and then move to the pucker. As you do that your tongue is going to move from a position like this OW to flat. So tip is low, back is pulled up and then the tongue is going to move to a flat position as you move to that pucker.
ow ow
Let’s try these all together
can’t can’t can’t
count count count
can’t count
I can’t count all of the nice comments from all of my students.
So if you’re still watching I’m going to give you a one more word that you really do not want to say. Um at least here in the u.s. I know in some other english-speaking countries this isn’t as bad, but the word is cunt. I really don’t like this word and I can’t believe I’m saying it in a video. But if you keep your mouth too closed you will say that short u sound and you will say this word by mistake. So focus on opening really wide for that ah in can’t and that ow in count.
So I appreciate all of you! Give it a try I know people are going to notice the difference. If you found this helpful please give us a like and a share. Don’t forget to subscribe. If you need help check out our products and our classes at tarle speech. Tthank you so much everyone have a great week!