Spanish 1 Demo

What is a Schwa?

A correct understanding and awareness of the schwa vowel sound will do wonders for accent reduction and elimination.

You may not notice it at all, but as an English speaker you have learned to neutralize unstressed vowels. If you learn to recognize this habit now, it will take your ability to properly learn Spanish words to the next level.

In short, the English schwa sound is similar to "uh", and can be represented by any vowel. Here are some examples:

The a in among.
The e in synthesis.
The i in decimal.
The o in harmony.
The u in medium.
The y in syringe.

Compare this with Spanish, where a vowel always makes the same sound. This lesson will teach you to avoid the schwa sound English speakers use entirely, and replace it with authentic Spanish vowel sounds.

True or False: Some Spanish words contain the schwa vowel sound.