Why is the a in pronounced like e?

You're likely referring to the "a" in words like "father," "car," and "star." This sound is actually represented by the IPA symbol ɑ, which is different from the "a" in words like "cat" or "hat" (IPA symbol æ).

The sound ɑ is called the "open back unrounded vowel". Here's why it sounds different:

* Tongue position: The tongue is relatively low and back in the mouth, unlike the æ sound where the tongue is further forward.

* Lip shape: The lips are relatively relaxed and slightly open, while the æ sound is made with the lips slightly spread.

The reason why this sound is represented by the letter "a" in English is a result of historical changes in the language. Over time, the pronunciation of some words with "a" changed, while others retained the original sound.

So, it's not that the "a" is pronounced like "e," but rather that the "a" in words like "father" and "car" represents a different vowel sound entirely, with a unique pronunciation.