This week I received many questions about the schwa vowel sound. 
Let me explain a few things about this KEY English vowel sound.
In spoken American English the schwa (see the image above right) is the relaxed vowel sound that is frequently used for vowel sounds in unstressed syllables.
The schwa sound is made with your tongue in a relaxed position in the center of your mouth. It sounds like “uh”. Now the next part here is very important!
Any vowel can sound like a schwa when it occurs in an unstressed syllable.
Here a a few words that begin with the schwa vowel sound. Since the first syllable in these words is unstressed, the vowel sound is a schwa or ‘uh’.
allow
ahead
around
evaluate
object
offend
unlock
understand
The schwa sound is the most common vowel sound in English. Pronouncing this vowel correctly will help you improve the way you communicate with American English listeners because it will improve the rhythm of your speech.
I teach you how to use the schwa vowel sound so that you can speak English more effectively in my Skype accent reduction course.
Or, if you want to learn from a book check out these excellent and affordable American English pronunciation books.
To read related information on American English pronunciation click on the links below. The 0 means closed for comments.
Tags: Accent Reduction Techniques, American English Pronunciation, most common vowel sound, schwa sound, Skype accent reduction course
