GalacticCactus Forum

Forums => English & Linguistics => Topic started by: kojabu on September 23, 2005, 09:21:39 PM

Title: Can and Can
Post by: kojabu on September 23, 2005, 09:21:39 PM

At lunch today someone mentioned that the verb can and the noun can are often pronounced differently. I found this itriguing. When someone says "Can I have a can of ___" the two words don't sound the same.  

Title: Can and Can
Post by: Mr. Anderson on September 23, 2005, 09:23:19 PM

*Says:  Can I have a can of...*

Woah.  I think you're right.

Title: Can and Can
Post by: Icarus on September 23, 2005, 09:32:40 PM

They sound the same to me.

*shrug*

Title: Can and Can
Post by: Porter on September 23, 2005, 10:03:49 PM

Same.

Title: Can and Can
Post by: sarcasticmuppet on September 23, 2005, 11:10:47 PM

Because of the way they are placed in the sentence, I think I might put more emphasis on the verb than the noun, but try this:

Can you buy me a can of beans?

Cans of beans are great if you can cook them.

Then they are undoubtedly the same where they share emphasis in the sentence.

Title: Can and Can
Post by: AFR on September 23, 2005, 11:21:10 PM

Wow! Can she open up a can of can-can, or what?

Title: Can and Can
Post by: Porter on September 23, 2005, 11:22:36 PM

In Portugese, the words for "to be able to" and "power" are the same word -- poder.

Title: Can and Can
Post by: User on September 24, 2005, 12:09:47 PM

They are different.  I say "Ken I have a can" lol.

Title: Can and Can
Post by: Porter on September 24, 2005, 12:16:39 PM

"Ken  I have a can"?

What's your point?

I think can and can sound the same.

Title: Can and Can
Post by: Mr. Anderson on September 24, 2005, 12:21:08 PM

Her point is that they sound different because some people say them differently.

Title: Can and Can
Post by: Porter on September 24, 2005, 12:27:18 PM

That Ken and can do?  I'll buy that.

But we were talking about can and can.

Or was the point that some people pronounce can as Ken?

Title: Can and Can
Post by: Mr. Anderson on September 24, 2005, 12:28:50 PM

Quote

Or was the point that some people pronounce can as Ken?

Tell him what he's won, Bob.

Title: Can and Can
Post by: User on September 24, 2005, 12:31:07 PM

Quote

Quote

Or was the point that some people pronounce can as Ken?

Tell him what he's won, Bob.

"And here is door number one!"

Title: Can and Can
Post by: Jonathon on September 24, 2005, 08:38:51 PM

Quote

"Ken  I have a can"?

What's your point?

I think can and can sound the same.

Psh. Of course Mr. Enunciation thinks they sound the same. The verb usually receives less stress, so the vowel often reduces and raises up to a short e sound.

Title: Can and Can
Post by: rivka on September 24, 2005, 11:57:27 PM

Pfft. They do sound the same.

Title: Can and Can
Post by: kojabu on September 25, 2005, 08:05:09 AM

Not to me!  

Title: Can and Can
Post by: Jonathon on September 25, 2005, 09:47:51 AM

I think I should start making a list of speech patterns to listen for at Hatrack gatherings. Then I can point out all the times that people say they speak one way and really speak another.

Title: Can and Can
Post by: Ela on September 25, 2005, 10:05:10 AM

I think some people do actually pronounce "can" and "can" slightly differently.

Title: Can and Can
Post by: Jonathon on September 25, 2005, 10:21:15 AM

I think several of us already know that some people do. :tongue:

Title: Can and Can
Post by: pooka on September 26, 2005, 01:01:59 PM

I wouldn't put it past a southerner to say "/ken/ of soup."  Another sign of the times.

Title: Can and Can
Post by: kojabu on September 26, 2005, 01:43:51 PM

Quote

I think I should start making a list of speech patterns to listen for at Hatrack gatherings. Then I can point out all the times that people say they speak one way and really speak another.

Haha, that would be great. I'd help you out if only I knew Hatrackers in real life.