When an American says "I can't touch it" or even "I can't do it", how can the listener tell between "I can't touch it" and "I can touch it", given that they pronounce "can't" with an a like in "can"? Do they rely on context alone? And how can the context be enough in all cases? If I say "stretch your arm an you'll be able to touch it", being answered "I can't touch it", or "I can touch it", I would be receiving an ambiguous message. Should I not?
Of course, an American can always split "can't" into " can not". Perhaps this provides the answer.
Of course, an American can always split "can't" into " can not". Perhaps this provides the answer.
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