Here's why:
* Short vowel sounds are typically short and sharp. They are often represented by the single letter vowel in a word, especially when followed by one or two consonants.
* In "can", the "a" is followed by the consonant "n". This makes the "a" have a short, sharp sound, like the "a" in "cat" or "man".
Let me know if you have any other words you'd like to analyze!