Here's why:
* Spelling: The "a" in "accent" is followed by a consonant ("c") and then a silent "e" at the end. This spelling pattern often indicates a short vowel sound.
* Pronunciation: The vowel sound in "accent" is similar to the vowel sound in words like "cat" or "bed", which have short vowel sounds.
Let me know if you have any other vowel sound questions!