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JungKim Posted 12 years ago
Speech & Pronunciation
Did she say 'can' or 'could'?
At 29 seconds into the video,
MALE: Just kill me now.
FEMALE: That can/could be arranged.
I'd like to know if it's 'can' or 'could'.
It sounds like 'could' but some "unverified" scripts say it's 'can'.
This may not be that big a deal, but I've came across quite a few cases like this where the pronunciation is more like 'could' but the actual script/transcript says it's 'can'.
I wonder if this is one of those cases.
If so, what makes it 'can' when it actually sounds like 'could' at least to my non-native ears?
MALE: Just kill me now.
FEMALE: That can/could be arranged.
I'd like to know if it's 'can' or 'could'.
It sounds like 'could' but some "unverified" scripts say it's 'can'.
This may not be that big a deal, but I've came across quite a few cases like this where the pronunciation is more like 'could' but the actual script/transcript says it's 'can'.
I wonder if this is one of those cases.
If so, what makes it 'can' when it actually sounds like 'could' at least to my non-native ears?
Top answer
It's hard to say, because she's speaking very quickly. Either are possible.
- It's hard to say, because she's speaking very quickly.
- Either are possible.
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2 Answers
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It's hard to say, because she's speaking very quickly. Either are possible. 
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JungKimThat can/could be arranged.can. I hear 'can'.
I hear an 'n'; I don't hear a 'd'. I hear a shorter vowel (as in 'can') rather than a longer one (as in 'could').
I may also be swayed to some extent by what I would say in that context.
CJ
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