that pronunciation

[duiter]

Hi all,

every time I watch BBC, CNN, etc I usually hear 'that' being pronounced as (IPA)
'ðet' - vowel 'a' in 'that' is pronounced like 'e' in 'bed'

and I rarely hear someone says 'that' as (IPA) 'ðət' -- 'a' is pronounced as schwa although the dictionary says the opposite

Definition and pronunciation of that | Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary

Am I mishearing ?

Thanks

 

[Tdol]

I would honestly say that I think you are. ;-)

 

[traderen08]

miniwholesales is good

 

[phras.in]

I'd say that the 'a' vowel really 'open' is idiosyncratic of the british accent, and it's something I've noted myself.

 

[BobK]

...
I rarely hear someone says 'that' as (IPA) 'ðət' -- 'a' is pronounced as schwa although the dictionary says the opposite

Definition and pronunciation of that | Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary

Am I mishearing ?

Thanks

The opposite of what? The OALDCE link you give says (accurately) that in Br Eng there are two forms. It also suggests that the one with schwa is the more common.

In fact, when 'that' is used as a demonstrative adjective ('I want that one') or pronoun 'That's what I want') it's always strong (pronounced /æ/). In the nature of demonstratives, it couldn't not be strong.

When 'that' is used as subordinating conjunction, it's usually weak (/ǝ/) - but not always:

For example (of the exception), in the song Show me:

'Anyone who's ever been in love will tell you that (/æ/)
This is no time for a chat.'

I expect OALDCE makes this distinction somewhere, but I don't have time to look.

b