* Letters don't make sounds on their own: Letters are just symbols. They represent sounds, but the actual sound is created by the way we move our mouths and throats.
* "A" has many different sounds: The letter "a" can have a short sound (like in "cat"), a long sound (like in "cake"), and many other variations.
* "H" is often silent: The letter "h" often doesn't make any sound at all (like in "hour" or "honest"). When it does make a sound, it's usually a short, breathy sound.
So, how do we think about short sounds?
* Short vowels: We often talk about "short vowels" like the "a" in "cat" or the "i" in "pig." These sounds are typically quick and sharp.
* Short consonants: Consonants can also have short sounds. For example, the "t" in "cat" is a short, quick sound.
Let's look at your examples:
* "A": It can be short (like in "cat"), but it can also be long (like in "cake"). You need to consider the word to know what sound it has.
* "H": The "h" sound is usually very short and quick, but it's often silent.
In conclusion: While we can talk about short sounds in general, it's important to remember that the sounds of letters depend on the word they are in and how they are used.