Central Vowels

Includes /ə, ^, ɝ, ɚ/

/ə/

Schwa

• “uh” sound

• Always in unstressed syllables

• Can be any vowel (a, e, i, o, u)

• The most frequently occurring speech sound in English language

• EX: enough, purpose, religion, alone, circus

/^/

Carot or stressed schwa

• Always in stressed syllables (primary or secondary) of a word

• Tongue is located low-mid, back-central

• Lips are unrounded

• EX: under, other, abduct, trust, sun

/ɝ/

Stressed schwar

• “ER” sound in the stressed syllable of a word

• Always stressed

• Commonly in monosyllabic words

• Tongue is located mid-central and is lax

• Lips are rounded

• EX: bird, turn, word, birthday

/ɚ/

Schwar

• “ER” at the end of a multisyllabic word

• Unstressed

• Doesn’t occur in single syllable words

• Tongue is located mid-central and is lax

• Lips are usually rounded

• EX: father, collar, other, butter

Central Vowels

Four in total

• Includes /ə, ^, ɝ, ɚ/

  • ^ and ɝ are stressed

  • ə and ɚ are unstressed