Notice how the vowels are reduced to schwa in each syllable that is NOT stressed. The underlined section indicates which syllable is stressed. Need proof that ALL vowels can transform into the schwa sound? Take a look at the chart below as you listen to the audio recording. Do you notice the changes in vowel sounds, depending on whether the syllable is stressed or reduced? Listen to the audio to how the following words are pronounced. Yes, the vowel within an unstressed syllable is usually reduced and becomes this neutral vowel called schwa. Įxamples: a bout, b a lloon, nerv ou s, foc u sĪll 5 vowels, A, E, I, O & U can sound the same if they are part of an unstressed syllable. What does it sound like? The schwa is a soft, unstressed sound, represented phonetically as Ә. Learning common words with schwa sounds, as well as frequent schwa-consonant pairings can help you improve your pronunciation and sound more like a native speaker of English. It’s little wonder, then, that learning how and when to produce the schwa sound is one of the most important keys to accent reduction. The schwa sound is THE most common sound in American English, although its pronunciation can vary based on the speaker’s accent or stress.
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