The Schwa

Now we're at the last part of the vowels.

The schwa is one of the most common sounds of American English, and let me repeat: English is not a language which is based on spelling when it comes to pronunciation. You just have to become familiar with the word and how it is said. Let me repeat: Spelling will not help you at all. As said in American Accent Training by Ann Cook, "Spelling doesn't help identify it, because it can appear as any one of the vowels, or a combination of them."


Another thing we should remember is that there are two symbols that are usually used for the schwa sound, which are [^] and [ə]. These two sounds are only distinguishable in British English. They have the same sound, but [^] is stressed, whereas [ə] is unstressed. However,  as mentioned in the book American Accent Training, we don't make such a distinction.

This sound is ubiquitous - which means, it can be found everywhere. As said in the first post, the schwa is the smallest sound of English. Here's how we say it.

- the lips and teeth slightly parted, and there is a very small opening between them. Take note: It is really very small.
- It is similar to the sound you make when somebody taps you on the back and you say, "Huh?" Just get rid of the first "h" sound.

This sound is neutral. Meaning, there are no characteristics that you will notice that makes it different from other vowel sounds. It can be both stressed and unstressed, and can be one sound or a combination of others. It can even be one syllable.

Let's look at some examples, shall we?

(Don't forget: There is only a very small opening of the lips and teeth. The sound you make is a grunt).

Ex:
Bun - bən
Cut - cət
Some - səm
Done - dən
Fur - fər
Vegetable - vɛdʒtəbəl

Sentences:

1. The fun festival is over.
2. I love my eggs sunny side up.
3. The drumming can be heard from a distance.
4. A hundred soldiers are muttering in the riverbed.
5. Come in from the cold.

Keep looking through your dictionaries and books for words that have schwa sounds and practice. ^^