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Sound /ə/

The reduced vowel sound called schwa is the most common vowel sound in spoken English. Schwa is a quick, relaxed, neutral vowel pronunciation very close to a 'short u' /ʌ/. The purpose of schwa is to allow unstressed syllables to be said more quickly so the main beats of spoken words are easier to place on the stressed syllables.

Listen to the /ə/ sound and repeat it

 

Examples with sound /ə/


 

Sound /əʊ/

 

/əʊ/ - The first element (nucleus) is central, mid-narrow; unrounded. The glide is in the direction of /ʊ/.

 

The glide begins in the central position between half-close and half-open and moves upwards and back towards /ʊ/; the lips are neutral changing to slightly rounded

 

Listen to the /əʊ/ and repeat it

            

Examples with sound /əʊ/

 

 

Sound /ʊə/

 

/ʊə/ - The first element (nucleus) is back-advanced, high-broad; slightly rounded. The glide is toward the position of the vowel /ə/ , which is actually pronounced

 

The glide begins in the position for /ʊ/ and moves forwards and downwards towards /ə/; the lips are weakly rounded becoming neutrally spread

 

Listen to the /ʊə/ and repeat it

            

Examples with sound /ʊə/

 

 

Sound /ɪə/

 

/ɪə/ - The nucleus is front-retracted, high-broad; unrounded.

 

The glide begins in the position for /I/ then it moves backwards and downwards towards /ə/; the lips are neutral, with a slight movement from spread to open. When the diphthong occurs in an open syllable and is followed by a pause, the glide sounds like /ʌ/

 

Listen to the /ɪə/ and repeat it

            

Examples with sound /ɪə/

 

 

Sound /eə/

 

/eə/ - The nucleus is front, mid-broad; unrounded.

 

The glide begins in a half-open front position, it then moves backwards towards /ə/; the lips are neutrally open throughout. When the diphthong occurs in a word-final position, the glide may sound like /ʌ/

 

Listen to the /eə/ and repeat it

            

Examples with sound /eə/

 

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