Short instructional transcript by Hadar Shemesh explaining the English schwa (weak vowel). Defines schwa as a reduced, very short neutral vowel linked to weak stress, contrasts primary/secondary/weak stress, gives numerous examples of schwa in word-initial, medial, and final positions (suffixes), and advises learners to apply schwa for better rhythm, intonation, and pronunciation.
Chapters
Lets talk about the schwa. The schwa is the most common sound in English. And that's because it's a reduction of all possible vowels. If I try to pronounce the schwa, it will sound something like very short, very neutral, very relaxed. The schwa is the weak stress in a word. In English, there are three primary stress, secondary and weak. The schwa. The primary stress is always higher, louder, and longer. For example, creative. Creative stress. You also have a secondary stress, cree, creative, and a weak stress, creative. Although it's written with an I, it's reduced U D. Notice that I also flip my T to a D. Creative. You can find the schwa at the beginning of a word. A Ability about arise, O'. Clock. You can also find it in the middle of the word. In this case, it almost sounds like you're dropping the vowel completely. Computer. Communicate today. Not today, today, tonight, Tomorrow. University. Not university, but uni. Ne. Ver. Primary stress. City, University. Also, it is found at the end, usually on suffixes. Shin, Graduation. K. Political. Ability. Not ability, but ability. So if you're able to understand and to implement the schwa in your speech, you'll be able to get a better rhythm, pace, intonation, and of course, pronunciation. Good luck.
