the sound schwa in physics, service, and negative?

[Sweetpumpkin]

Hi,

I have some questions on the pronunciations.

When you sound 'i', it usually becomes silent or weakens when it doesn't have a stress on it. For example, terrible, i sounds schwa. Then, how about these words?

1) wearing
2) physics
3) service
4) negative

For 1), I bet there's no schwa for i. How about 2) or 3)? the 'i's don't have stress on it, so I think they could sound schwa. For 4), I'm not sure- it's a which sounds schwa, right? I think i in negative sounds [i], not schwa. I wonder what you guys think.

Thanks,
sweetpumpkin

[Alan]

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Hi Sweetpumpkin,

I agree with your analysis of the sounds. The 'i' sound has to be pronounced fully. I would say them as follows -

wearing
physics
service
negative

It wouldn't be possible to 'lose' the 'i' sound in any of them.

Alan
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English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Present Simple

[Sweetpumpkin]

Woooooooow!!!!

First of all, Alan, it's great to hear your voice! If I had a microphone, i would record my reply as well! Anyway, thanks for your voice recording and answer.

My English guidebook for pronouncing lies to me. It says, when [i] sound doesn't have stress on it, it sounds schwa- it gives me an example, tennis. Gosh, I don't believe my book.

So- you mean it wouldn't be possible for [i] in those four words to be pronounced schwa, right? How about [i] in tennis? Do you agree with my book? Does it sound schwa? For me, I don't think so.

Thanks again,
sweetpumpkin

[Prezbucky]

Southern Californians might turn those into schwas since they tend to swallow their vowels -- they wouldn't know a diphthong if it bit them -- but Alan is right.

And I mean no offense teew, like, Colifawrnyens... I just cahn't stahnd thaht occent.

(the volley girl occent)

;)
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[Alan]

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Hi Prezbucky,

You obviously like the different sounds people make. Pick up your microphone and let's hear it from you.

Alan
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English as a Foreign Language
You can read my EFL story Progressive Forms

[Alan]

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Are you there, Prezbucky?

Alan
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English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Passive Voice

[Torsten]

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Hi Alan, I think Tom is still looking for his microphone so let's hope he'll find it soon.

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