The word ending <et> is most commonly pronounced ɪt or ət, as in
bullet gadget hatchet mallet target wallet
However there are few words, borrowed from French, where the <t> is silent and the vowel is pronounced eɪ. Examples:
ballet = ˈbæleɪ
bouquet = buːˈkeɪ or ˈbuːkeɪ
buffet = ˈbʌfeɪ
cachet = ˈkæʃeɪ
chalet = ˈʃæleɪ
crochet = ˈkrəʊʃeɪ
croquet = ˈkrəʊkeɪ or ˈkrəʊki
ricochet = ˈrɪkəʃeɪ
sachet = ˈsæʃeɪ
sorbet = ˈsɔːbeɪ
valet = ˈvæleɪ or ˈvælɪt
Notice the pronunciation of <ch> as ʃ in some the above words. Also buffet is a verb meaning “to beat, strike”, in which case it is pronounced ˈbʌfɪt.
2013_07_16