Lesson 12 | Can
“Hi. Kinya join me for a walk on the beach?”
Next, let's listen to another small pronunciation change. It's a change to the word “can.”
First, I'll say a sentence with “can” slowly and clearly.
Come on. I can show you the beach.
Now I’m going to speed it up slightly.
Come on. I kin show ya the beach.
When I said it quickly, I said “kin” instead of “can.” Listen.
Come on. I kin show ya the beach.
Listen
I kin show ya the beach.
I kin show ya the beach.
Read
I kin show ya the beach.
Exercise 1
For practice, read these sentences slowly changing “can” to “kin.”
I kin come later.
I kin come now.
I kin come in an hour.
I kin come in a little while
I kin come in five minutes.
Repeat (reading)
Now read these sentences out loud quickly.
I kin come later.
I kin come now.
I kin come in an hour.
I kin come in a little while.
I kin come in five minutes.
Exercise 2
When you speak slowly and clearly, you say “can.” When you speak in normal conversation, you often say “kin.”
Listen to these sentences spoken quickly and you repeat them speaking slowly and clearly.
I kin see people on the beach.
I kin see him walkun on the beach.
I kin see them talkun on the beach.
You kin see a lota gulls on the beach.
She kin see a lota gulls on the beach.
Repeat (listening)
Now listen and repeat these sentences saying them quickly.
I kin see people on the beach.
I kin see him walkun on the beach.
I kin see them talkun on the beach.
You kin see a lota gulls on the beach.
She kin see a lota gulls on the beach.
Exercise 3
You can also use this change when you ask questions using “can.” For example, listen to this question asked slowly and then asked quickly.
Can you see the rabbit?
Kinya see the rabbit?
Kinya see the rabbit?
“Can you” changes to “Kinya’ when spoken quickly.
Listen
Kinya see two rabbits?
Kinya see the raven in the grass?
Kinya see the hawk in the grass?
Kinya see the hawk on the fence?
Kinya see the gull by the bench?
Read
Now you try it, read theses questions quickly.
Kinya see two rabbits?
Kinya see the raven in the grass?
Kinya see the hawk in the grass?
Kinya see the hawk on the fence?
Kinya see the gull by the bench?
Exercise 4
Now, you ask these questions using “Kinya.”
Say them slowly using the change for practice.
Kinya have dinner with us?
Kinya stay till tomorrow?
Kinya call me later?
Kinya wait a little bit?
Kinya bring me a new one?
Repeat
Now ask to these questions quickly
Kinya have dinner with us?
Kinya stay till tomorrow?
Kinya call me later?
Kinya wait a little bit?
Kinya bring me a new one?
Exercise 5
Listen to this question.
Can she wash the windows?
Kinshi wash the windows?
“Can she” is changed to “kinshi.”
And it’s similar with “can he;” it changes to “kini.”
Kini have dinner with us?
Listen
Kini come over?
Kinshi come over?
Kini stay here?
Kinshi stay here?
Kini have dinner with us?
Kinshi have dinner with us?
Read
Now read these question slowly, then once quickly using the changes you've learned.
Can he come over?
Kini come over?
Can she come over?
Kinshi come over?
Can he stay here?
Kini stay here?
Can she stay here?
Kinshi stay here?
Can he have dinner with us?
Kini have dinner with us?
Can she have dinner with us?
Kinshi have dinner with us?
Exercise 6
You can also ask questions using “Can I.”
It sounds like “kin I.”
Kin I come over?
Kin I call you later?
Read and Repeat
Practice saying “Kin I” a little by reading these questions quickly.
Kin I have dinner with ya?
Kin I stay till tamorrow?
Kin I call ya later?
Kin I wait here?
Kin I getcha somethin?
Finally, you can also use these changes when you ask questions using What, How, When, Where, Why or What time.
Listen to these questions asked quickly and see if you can hear the change.
Whenkinya come over?
Whatkinya give me for a headache?
Howkin I find the highway?
Wherekin I buy a nice lunch?
What time kinya be here?
Exercise 7
Listen to these questions and say them once slowly and once quickly, making the change.
When can you come over?
Whenkinya come over?
What can you give me for a headache?
Whatkinya give me fer a headache?
How can I find the highway?
Howkin I find the highway?
Where can I buy a nice lunch?
Wherekin I buy a nice lunch?
What time can you be here?
What time kinya be here?
Read and Change
Here are some sentences, read them and change them for normal conversation.
I can be home early.
Can you lend me your book?
When can you buy a new one?
Where can I find one?
Can he be here early?
Comment
Remember that these are only spoken changes. You should never write them in a paper or school report. Also, remember that you must be able to say the sentence or ask the question slowly and clearly, if needed. If the person doesn't understand the question, “Whatkin I do fer ya?” you must slow down and say it as “What can I do for you?” You must be able to speak using formal pronunciation, too.
Last, you don't pronounce “kin” when using the negative “can't.” I would never say, “I kin't be there.” I would always say, “I can't be there.” Do not say “kin't.”
However, if you ask a question using “Can't” you can say,
Can't ya come over early?
And you can even change it to:
Cantcha come over early?
Cantcha?
Can't you stay a little longer?
Cantcha stay a little longer?
Read and Change
Read these questions using “Cantcha.”
Can’t you come now?
Can’t you have dinner with me?
Can’t you keep it a secret?
Can’t you give me one?
Can’t you stay?
Final Conversation
Okay, listen to this conversation for the changes that you’ve learned.
Hi. Kinya come over and help me?
Sure. Whatkin I do fer ya?
I needta change my oil.
Okay, I'm gunna come over. D'ya have oil?
No. Kinya bring some?
Sure. See ya in a coupla minutes.