What is the schwa?
In English, if there are two or more syllables in a word, we stress one of them. However, we also usually weaken the other syllable(s). When we have a weak syllable, we are too 'lazy' to pronounce the sound the way it is written and so we usually use a weak 'uh' sound instead. This sound is called the schwa. The schwa /ə/ is a weak sound for weak syllables.
For example:
- fortune /ˈfɔːtʃuːn/ - the first syllable is stressed, so the 'or' is pronounced as /ɔː/
- forɡet /fəˈɡet/ - the first syllable is weak, so the 'or' is pronounced as /ə/
- person /ˈpɜːsən/ - the first syllable is stressed, so the 'er' is pronounced as /ɜː/
- persuade /pəˈsweɪd/ - the first syllable is weak, so the 'er' is pronounced as /ə/
- contact /ˈkɒntækt/ - the first syllable is stressed, so the 'o' is pronounced as /ɒ/
- connect /kəˈnekt/ - the first syllable is weak, so the 'o' is pronounced as /ə/
Examples with more than one schwa:
- computer /kəmˈpjuːtə/
- excellent /ˈeksələnt/
- banana /bəˈnɑːnə/
Using the schwa helps you to sound more natural.