Mid central unrounded vowel

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Schwa. (Discuss)

It has been suggested that Close-mid_central_rounded_vowel#Mid_central_rounded_vowel be merged into this article or section. (Discuss)

The mid central unrounded vowel is frequently written as a schwa [ə]. However, that symbol does not specifically represent an unrounded vowel, and is frequently used for most any unstressed obscure vowel. If precision is desired, the symbol for the close-mid central unrounded vowel may be used with a lowering diacritic, [ɘ̞].

[edit] Features

Its vowel height is mid, which means the tongue is positioned halfway between a close vowel and an open vowel.
Its vowel backness is central, which means the tongue is positioned halfway between a front vowel and a back vowel.
Its vowel roundedness is unrounded, which means that the lips are not rounded.

[edit] Occurs in

In European Portuguese: açougue [ɘ̞ˈsoɡɯ̽]; seja ˈsɘ̞ʒɘ̞; antro [ˈɘ̞̃tɾu] 'den'. In Portuguese tradition, unstressed vowel quality is indicated by rotating the orthographic vowel, and so these vowels are transcribed [ɐ, ɐ̃]. However, they are mid vowels, and closer than Portuguese [ɛ, ɔ].