Vowel reduction

Vowel reduction provides another argument for the syllable in English. The data below show, that unstressed vowels reduce to schwa.

A simple statement like “an unstressed vowel becomes schwa” forms the core of the correct generalization, but the following data indicate that the matter is more complex, since the nature of the following consonants matters. In some cases, a CC cluster can stand between the target of reduction and the next vowel, but in other cases, a CC cluster blocks reduction.

If we take cognizance of syllable boundaries, especially the ends of consonant clusters that are allowed in the beginning of the syllable, then the generalization becomes much clearer: unstressed vowels reduce to schwa in English when they are at the end of the syllable.