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Schwa Who?

Posted by Robbie on August 8, 2016

The Schwa /ə/

Welcome to our very first pronunciation lesson! If your goal is to enhance your accent and pronunciation skills, do join the activity. And if you’re brave enough, you can record your own voice pronouncing the schwa sound in our pronunciation challenge below. You can use Audioboom or any recording apps and you can upload your recording on the comment box.

Now, the schwa is a short vowel sound. Please watch the video below from Ms. Alex of BBC Learning English and imitate how she pronounced the schwa vowel sound. Do it at least 10 times or until you’ve mastered it. The schwa has a slight similarity to another vowel sound - /ʌ/.  You’d be familiar with both of the vowels as we continue the lesson in my future discussions, but for the meantime let’s focus on the Schwa /ə/ sound.

Always remember that the schwa is the most common and important sound in English and we can hear it in a lot of words. In addition, since we’re on Englishclub, we’re going to use the IPA symbols in British accent, but we could compare it with American English.

Are you ready for some pronunciation challenge? Can you say these words and the sentence stressing the schwa sound? You may record these words if you like and share it here!

Teacher  beautiful  understanding 

The teacher is beautiful and understanding.

 

Now here’s an IPA Challenge.

Could you provide the answers on the following words? Write your answers on the comment box below.

Example:   /vəʊˈkæbjʊləri/  -  Vocabulary

  1. /ˌkriːeɪˈtɪvəti/
  2. /ˌɪnfə(r)ˈmeɪʃ(ə)n/
  3. /ˈsɪnəmə/
  4. /ˈfæm(ə)li/
  5. /ˈsɪləb(ə)l/
  6. /kəmˈpjuːtə(r)/
  7. /ˌɒpə(r)ˈtjuːnəti/
  8. /ˈɔːtəm/
  9. /əˈblaɪdʒ/
  10. /ˈhæpinəs/

I’m looking forward to your participation. Can you think of other words that have schwa sound in it?

Wishing you the best of luck! :)

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Comments

  • Robbie August 10, 2016 16:37

    Hello, Peppo!

    You're welcome! Thank you too for sharing your recording with us. I'm very impressed with your enthusiasm to improve your pronunciation.

    With regards to your audio recording, you don't have to worry. Even though the audio is a bit unclear, I was able to hear it. You have a sweet voice and you delivered the words clearly. I liked the way how you pronounced the schwa sound in these syllables - beautiful and. What can I say? You've nailed it! Well done! :)

    You're right about the words 'participation' and 'examination'. Both words have the schwa sound on them, stressing at the suffix -tion. 

    As for the result of the IPA challenge, I'll also send you a friend request and a message since I've noticed we're not friends here yet. Thanks again for your participation!

    Cheers!

    Robbie :)

  • Peppo August 10, 2016 3:31

    Hello Robbie,. 

    Thanks for post this very useful blog. I have recorder my own voice here, let me know if my voice is clear or not. I really need to improve my pronunciation. And here my answer in attempt to participate in the second challenge

    1. Creativity

    2. Information

    3. Cinema

    4. Family

    5. Syllable

    6. Computer

    7. Opportunity

    8. Item

    9. A Blade

    10. Happiness

    And for the last question, the other words that have schwa in it are "Participation", "Examination" and etc XD, what do you think?

    Thank you in advance :)

  • Robbie August 9, 2016 15:26

    Howdy, Seeker!

    Thank you very much for joining the IPA challenge. I hope you found this blog useful. I'll send you a private message so you'll know if you get all the answers right. 

    Keep learning!

    Robbie :)

  • Robbie August 9, 2016 15:21

    Hello, Mayumi!

    No worries! Please take your time because I know you're also busy. :) Besides, this type of post is open to all members anytime they want to join in. I won't force anyone to record their own voice rather take an initiative to be involved in pronunciation for their own advantage. One of the main objectives of this discussion is to be more familiar with the IPA symbols. And I'm glad that such comments from you and the others would encourage other members to participate in the activity.

    As usual, I'll message you privately about the result of the challenge. 

    Cheers!

    Robbie :)

  • Robbie August 9, 2016 14:24

    Hi, Onee!

    Thanks a lot for joining the IPA challenge. Well...you... I'll send you a private message for the result. I'm glad you like this kind of activity. Please give me more time to prepare a new batch of words.

    Cheers!

    Robbie :)

  • Onee-chan August 9, 2016 4:52

    Ohh, Mayumi. You're right... Why didn't I find it? :D Thanks. I thought it starts with a or b :D Sure It is 'oblige'. :)

    How is it, Robbie? Thanks for sharing this... I'd like to try more... :))

  • Mayumi August 9, 2016 3:57

    Hi Robbie. I'd like to participate in your pronunciation challenge but hehe I could not bring my recording here in the comment box. I'm using a tablet. Before with a computer I just copy and paste it. Hehe now I don't know how to. But thank you anyway I love this kind of challenge. I will try to record again when I got my pc back (span of time: unknown). 

    .....

    My answers are same with Onee.:)) copying. Thanks Onee you finished the hard part. My guess for 9.) oblige.

    Thanks, Rob.

  • Onee-chan August 9, 2016 2:26

    1) Creativity

    2) Information

    3) Cinema

    4) Family 

    5) Syllable

    6) Computer

    7) Opportunity

    8) Autumn

    9) I don't know :D

    10) Happiness

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