4. Argentine Spanish
Speakers Speaking
What’s the schwa?
The schwa, in fact, is the most
frequently occurring sound in spoken
English, but many speakers-even
native-born American English
speakers-may not be technically
familiar with it. Learning to use the
schwa is critical in helping you to
improve your accent.
5. Argentine Spanish Speakers
Speaking
What is the schwa?
1. A mid-central neutral vowel, typically
occurring in unstressed syllables, as the final
vowel of English sofa.
2. The symbol (ə ) used to represent an
unstressed neutral vowel and, in some systems
of phonetic transcription, a stressed mid-central
vowel, as in but.
10. Argentine Spanish
Speakers Speaking
In order to identify the schwa
we need to do three things
1. identify the syllǝbles
2. identify the stressed syllǝble
3. insert the schwa when
necessary
14. Argentine Spanish Speakers
Speaking
ION endings: stress before
the last syllable and the schwa in +ion
Negotiation participation
Constitution potion
Allusion recreation
Conclusion salivation
Miscommunication transition
Notion vision
Tricks
16. Argentine Spanish Speakers
Speaking
Examples:
School sprite stop sign
I’m so sorry to stop spending small
time with Sal.
Strip spoon scold
Cereal snake scared
Sell Steve the seven shares of stock
Saturday Sally.
1. A tendency to add the prefix “eh” to
some words beginning with S, especially
when S is followed by another consonant.