The letter A in words like cat, can, back and family has a special sound in American English. It is wide, flat and bright. Many languages do not have it, so learners use an "ah" or an "eh" instead. In this episode: • The flat, bright a • The a before n and m • Can or can't? • Cot and caught: one sound or two? • Listening scene • Practice • Self-check questions with answers Key phrases from this episode: cat (KAT) — the family pet back (BAK) — behind; or "I'll be back" bag (BAG) — the grocery bag glass (GLAS) — a glass of water apple (A-pul) — the fruit snack (SNAK) — a small bit of food between meals laugh (LAF) — the GH sounds like F sandwich (SAND-wich) — bread with filling Pack your bag. — put your things in the bag Grab a snack. — take a little food (casual) I'll be right back. — I'm coming back very soon can (KAN, with a slide) — a can of soup man (MAN) — the man next door hand (HAND) — wash your hands family (FAM-lee) — my family plant (PLANT) — water the plants answer (AN-ser) — the W is silent Did you water the plants? — give water to them Can you answer the phone? — pick up the call I can help — i kun HELP, the stress is on help I can't help — i KANT HELP, both are strong Yes, I can — at the end, can is strong: yes i KAN cot (KAHT) — a small folding bed caught (KAHT or KAWT) — past of catch dawn (DAHN or DAWN) — early morning talk (TAHK or TAWK) — speak Season 2 · Real American English: the complete spoken course for learners worldwide — accent, everyday grammar, prepositions, articles, phrasal verbs, idioms, slang and real conversations at home. Listen, repeat out loud, then take the 52-question quiz. Audio voiced with AI from an original script by Dr. Rashmi R Nair.