What is a schwa? A schwa is a vowel sound in an unstressed syllable, where a vowel does not make its long or short vowel sound. It usually sounds like the short /u/ sound, but is softer and weaker. The schwa sound is the most common vowel sound (and the only speech sound with its own special name). Examples of a schwa:

a: balloon

e: problem

i: family

o: bottom

u: support

y: analysis

Schwa is most simply defined as the sound a vowel makes in an unaccented syllable. It is actually the most common sound in English. Any written vowel can have the schwa sound, or to put it another way, the schwa sound can be spelled with any vowel. The schwa sound is a shorter than short vowel sound or a lazy vowel. It takes very little effort for our mouth to say “uh”.

Start with Schwa A. When teaching about schwa sounds with children, it is important to try to group them to make them more accessible and less overwhelming. Starting with schwa A is an easy introduction. This is also sometimes referred to as an open syllable exception. When a Is in an open syllable at the beginning or end of a word, it often does not make the expected long sound, but instead makes the “Uh” or schwa sound as in alike, Alaska, about, panda, soda, and alone. 

The nice thing about starting with schwa A is that it is relatively predictable and consistent. Other schwa vowels tend to be less regular.

Syllables with schwa are unstressed

**** Syllables have three types of stresses:  stressed, secondary stress and unstressed

Example:  emphasis EM is primary, pha is unstressed, sis is secondary

Not all people can hear these stresses (or pronounce these stresses).

(combine to mix, combine the farm equipment)

Most all words *usually* contain a stressed vowel-syllable

Variation of schwa pronunciation is dependent upon surrounding consonents

You will find schwas in most 2 or more syllable words but not in compound words.

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Last modified: Sunday, 27 June 2021, 1:58 PM