Between half-open and half-close (in non-final positions) and half-open (in final positions), central, neutral; checked (short), lax (weak).
For the articulation of RP /ə/, the centre of the tongue is raised between a half-open and a half-close position in non-final positions but in final positions the vowel tends to be articulated in the half-open central position or even lower [ə˕ ].
The lips are neutral. The acoustic formants of RP scwha are similar to those for /ɛː / and /ʌ/.
Spelling
/ə/ may represent the reduced (obscured, 'schwa') form of any vowel or vowel sequence in unaccented position
po'liceman /pəˈli:smən/, possible/ˈpɒsəbl̩/ , August /ˈɔ:ɡəst/ , parliament /ˈpɑ:ləmənt/ , chieftain /ˈtʃi:ftən/ , tortoise /ˈtɔ:təs/, ancient /ˈeɪnʃənt/.'vengeance /ˈvɛndʒəns/
Also many examples of /ə/ derive from unaccented sequences of vowel(s) plus <r>
The centre of the tongue is raised between a half-close and a half-open position (in non-final environments) or around half-open position or even lower (word-finally). The lips are neutral. The soft palate is raised (unless followed by a nasal).
Half open front vowel.
When we pronounce this sound, the front of the tongue is raised towards the hard palate, between the half-open and the half-close positions.
The tip of the tongue is in contact with the lower teeth. The lips are spread. The vocal folds vibrate during the production of this sound.
Spelling
<e>
Examples
erizo
mesa
mensaje
Queel bebé cese de beber leche frente a la tele.
Pronunciation
The front of the tongue is raised towards the hard palate, between the half-open and the half-close positions.
The tip of the tongue is in contact with the lower teeth. The lips are spread. The vocal folds vibrate during the production of this sound.