Welcome back! Have you checked out my Accent Reduction classes yet? This week I received LOTS of questions about the schwa vowel sound. Let me explain a few things about this KEY American English vowel sound.
In spoken English the schwa (see the image above) is the relaxed vowel sound that is frequently used to [...]
Posts Tagged ‘schwa sound’
American English Pronunciation: Words that Begin with Schwa
The Most Common Sound in Spoken English
Linguistic research indicates that the most common sound in spoken English is the schwa vowel sound. This is because native English speakers pronounce the vowels in most reduced syllables with the schwa sound. The phonetic symbol for schwa is /ə/.
Here is an example. When I say my name, Susan, the first syllable is stressed so the [...]
The Importance of the Schwa Sound
This week many people have emailed to ask about the English schwa vowel sound. This vowel sound is found in both American and British English and it is the most common sound in the English language.
The best place to learn about the schwa is here on the BBC website. Be sure to view the funny [...]
Why You Need to Use Syllable Stress Correctly
One reason that you need to use syllable stress correctly when you are speaking is because English has many heteronyms.
Heteronyms are two words that are spelled identically. The way the words are pronounced determines the meaning.
One good example is the word: ADDRESS.
When you say the word ‘address’ the way you use syllable stress changes the [...]
Syllable & Sentence Stress in American English
One of the most notable features of spoken English is its rhythm. Native English speakers alternate between using stressed and unstressed syllables in words and sentences. They do not pronounce all words and syllables with the same emphasis.
One way that non-native English speakers can improve their accent is to learn to use the rhythms of [...]
American English Pronunciation Problems for Filipinos
American spoken English frequently causes problems for English speakers in the Philippines.
Specific pronunciation problems include the schwa vowel sound, and voiced and voiceless sounds such as the /s/ & /z/ sounds, the /p/ & /b/ sounds and the /f/ & /v/ sounds.
Here is an article from the Manila Bulletin that explains more about these pronunciation [...]
American English Syllable Stress Patterns & Schwa
One of the most effective ways to improve your American English pronunciation is to use syllable stress correctly. The problem is that many students of spoken English don’t know the syllable stress patterns. Here is a general rule that will help you-
Most two syllable nouns are stressed on the first syllable. Other two syllable words [...]
Pronunciation Problems for Brazilian Portuguese Speakers
I know that many readers of my blog are Brazilians who want to improve their American English pronunciation. I am pleased that so many of you visit here!
Here are two common problems encountered by Brazilian Portuguese speakers who are trying to improve their pronunciation of American English.
1. The schwa sound /ə/
Brazilian Portuguese does not have [...]
Improve Your American Accent with Relaxed Speech
One of my students this week had a breakthrough moment when she realized that American English speakers do not pronounce every word clearly and distinctly and that using relaxed speech or “weak forms” is absolutely OK!
In this text and audio from Voice of America Special English, Nina Weinstein, the author of a very popular American [...]
