How is the letter "a" pronounced in English?

The letter "a" in English can be pronounced in several different ways, depending on its position in a word and the surrounding letters.

Two Primary Pronunciations of "a"

Based on the provided reference, we can identify two main ways the letter "a" is pronounced:

Short "a" (/a/): This sound is often described as a "flat" or "short" sound.
- Examples:
  - cat [kat]
  - trap [trap]
  - start [start] (before the letter "r")
Long "a" (/aː/): This sound is longer and more drawn out.
- Examples:
  - face [faːs]
  - scare [skaːr] (before the letter "r")

Summary Table

Here is a summary of these pronunciations:

Pronunciation	Phonetic Symbol	Description	Examples
Short A	/a/	Flat, short sound	cat, trap, start
Long A	/aː/	Longer, drawn-out sound	face, scare

Additional Notes

It's important to note that these are simplified explanations. The actual pronunciation can vary slightly depending on regional accents and other phonetic influences. The reference states that the long "a" is often a result of Middle English open syllable lengthening, a historical development influencing modern English pronunciation.

The pronunciation of 'a' before the letter 'r' can be either short or long.
The long "a" sound is often diphthongal in some dialects.
There are other variations based on the specific accents and dialect.