murmur vowel

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Definition of "Murmur Vowel"

A murmur vowel is a type of vowel sound that is very soft and often occurs when a consonant is pronounced. It is usually represented by the "schwa" sound, which sounds like "uh." This sound is not a strong vowel but rather a quick, light sound that can happen in the background when saying certain words.

Usage Instructions

• When to Use: You will typically hear a murmur vowel when pronouncing a consonant that is followed by a very light vowel sound, often in fast or casual speech.
• How to Pronounce: To say a murmur vowel, relax your mouth and make a quick "uh" sound. It should not be stressed or pronounced clearly.

Example

• In the word "banana," the first "a" can be pronounced with a murmur vowel, sounding more like "buh-nuh-nuh." Here, the "a" is light and not emphasized.

Advanced Usage

In more advanced phonetics, the concept of a murmur vowel is important for understanding how sounds blend together in natural speech. Linguists study murmur vowels to analyze accents and dialects, as they can vary greatly from one language or region to another.

Word Variants

• Schwa: This is the most common term used interchangeably with murmur vowel. The schwa can appear in many positions within a word, not just after consonants.
• Vowel Reduction: This term refers to the process where vowels become less distinct in unstressed positions, often resulting in a schwa sound.

Different Meanings

While "murmur vowel" specifically refers to a phonetic concept, the words "murmur" and "vowel" have their own meanings: - Murmur: As a verb, it means to speak softly or indistinctly. Example: "She murmured her response." - Vowel: Refers to the letters A, E, I, O, U (and sometimes Y) that represent vowel sounds in words.

Synonyms

• Schwa: As mentioned earlier, it is a common synonym for murmur vowel.
• Neutral Vowel: This can refer to a vowel sound that is not strongly articulated.

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs

There are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs directly related to "murmur vowel," but you may find related phrases that discuss speaking softly or indistinctly, such as: - Murmur under one's breath: To speak quietly so that others cannot hear. - Murmur of agreement: A soft sound made by a group indicating they agree.

Summary

In summary, a murmur vowel is a quiet, soft vowel sound that often appears when consonants are pronounced, particularly as a schwa.

Academic

Noun

1. a schwa that is incidental to the pronunciation of a consonant

Synonyms

• murmur