Difference between revisions of "/ɜ/"
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| − | The symbol /Éœ/ (a 'turned [[epsilon]]') is used in the [[International Phonetic Alphabet]] to represent the 'open-mid central un-[''or'' slightly]-rounded vowel': the sound heard characteristically in 'f'''i'''r' (and 'f'''u'''r'), 't'''ur'''n' (and 't'''er'''n'). It is very similar to the most relaxed English vowel, the [[schwa]] (/É™/), and for many speakers is indistinguishable: but it is realized by careful speakers with a slightly tenser tongue (particularly at the back) and some lip-rounding. Because both are very central in the mouth, and relaxed in their realization, it can be very difficult to represent them [[phonetic]]ally with any certainty | + | The symbol /Éœ/ (a 'turned [[epsilon]]') is used in the [[International Phonetic Alphabet]] to represent the 'open-mid central un-[''or'' slightly]-rounded vowel': the sound heard characteristically in 'f'''i'''r' (and 'f'''u'''r'), 't'''ur'''n' (and 't'''er'''n'). It is very similar to the most relaxed English vowel, the [[schwa]] (/É™/), and for many speakers is indistinguishable: but it is realized by careful speakers with a slightly tenser tongue (particularly at the back) and some lip-rounding. Because both are very central in the mouth, and relaxed in their realization, it can be very difficult to represent them [[phonetic]]ally with any certainty: for a broad [[phonemic]] approach, it may be best to use /Éœ/ for stressed syllables (including most monosyllabels) and /É™/ for unstressed. |
| − | It may be represented by many spellings, | + | ::The American linguists [[Fromkin and Rodman]] represent the American equivalent of this sound by /ÊŒ (+ r)/. |
| − | *by '-ea-', for example in <nowiki>'</nowiki>'''ea'''rn' and 'l'''ea'''rn'; | + | It is a sign of the loseness of the central vowels that such [[homophone]]s as [[fir - fur|f'''i'''r and f'''u'''r]], [[tern - turn|t'''e'''rn and t'''u'''rn]], and rhymes such as 'f'''i'''rm', 'w'''o'''rm |
| + | and 'squ'''i'''rm exist. It may be represented by many spellings, | ||
| + | *by '-ea-', for example in <nowiki>'</nowiki>'''ea'''rn' and 'l'''ea'''rn'; in ''''ea'''rth' and 'd'''ea'''rth' - but not 'h'''ea'''rt' and 'h'''ea'''rth' (see [[/É‘Ë/]]; | ||
*by '-e-, for example in 'f'''e'''rn', 'c'''e'''rtain' and 't'''e'''rn'; | *by '-e-, for example in 'f'''e'''rn', 'c'''e'''rtain' and 't'''e'''rn'; | ||
*by '-i-', in 'b'''i'''rth', 'f'''i'''r' and 'c'''i'''rcle'; | *by '-i-', in 'b'''i'''rth', 'f'''i'''r' and 'c'''i'''rcle'; | ||
Revision as of 09:51, 7 September 2011
For a note on how AWE organizes its group of articles on vowels, basically by aspects of sound and of writing, see category:vowels.
The symbol /ɜ/ (a 'turned epsilon') is used in the International Phonetic Alphabet to represent the 'open-mid central un-[or slightly]-rounded vowel': the sound heard characteristically in 'fir' (and 'fur'), 'turn' (and 'tern'). It is very similar to the most relaxed English vowel, the schwa (/ə/), and for many speakers is indistinguishable: but it is realized by careful speakers with a slightly tenser tongue (particularly at the back) and some lip-rounding. Because both are very central in the mouth, and relaxed in their realization, it can be very difficult to represent them phonetically with any certainty: for a broad phonemic approach, it may be best to use /ɜ/ for stressed syllables (including most monosyllabels) and /ə/ for unstressed.
- The American linguists Fromkin and Rodman represent the American equivalent of this sound by /ʌ (+ r)/.
It is a sign of the loseness of the central vowels that such homophones as fir and fur, tern and turn, and rhymes such as 'firm', 'worm and 'squirm exist. It may be represented by many spellings,
- by '-ea-', for example in 'earn' and 'learn'; in 'earth' and 'dearth' - but not 'heart' and 'hearth' (see /É‘Ë/;
- by '-e-, for example in 'fern', 'certain' and 'tern';
- by '-i-', in 'birth', 'fir' and 'circle';
- by '-u-', in 'turn', 'church' and 'fur'.
