(13) [ɝ] Sound

Lips: Proptrude and slightly parted.
jaw: Slightly lowered.
Tongue: Midlevel in the mouth.

[ɝ] is sound that occurs only in stressed syllables of words.

Possible Pronunciation Problems

The vowel [ɝ ] does not exist not exist in most languages. Just remember that [ɝ ] always receives strong emphasis and is founded only in stressed syllables. It is produced with slightly protruded lips and tense tongue muscles.

Be sure to practice and you'll be certain to learn [ɝ ]!

[ɝ] as in turn, first and serve and [ɚ] as in father and actor

🎧Listen and repeat

[ɝ] At the Beginning of words
urge	early
herb	urban
earn	earnest
earth	irk

[ɝ] In the Middle of Words
turn	curve
word	learn
verb	circus
third	Thursday

[ɝ]At the End of Words
fur	prefer
sir	stir
her	purr
occur	defer

[ɝ] Spelled
ir	ur	er
bird	hurt	fern
girl	curl	term
firm	curb	stern
third	purple	German
circle	turkey	servant

  NOTE:

Less frequent spelling pattern for [ɝ] consist of the letters eɑr,our, and or.

heard  journey   work

🎧Listen and repeat. The boldface words in the following phrases and sentences include the vowel [ɝ ].

1. turn it off
2. heard the words
3. slow as a turtle
4. first things first
5. a turn for the worse
6. left work early
7. The early bird catches the worm
8. The girl saw the circus first
9. The servant served desert
10. Irma had her thirty third birthday

[ɝ] as in EARN, WORK, FUR

How to Produce [ɝ]: occurs only in stressed syllables.

Typical Spellings for [ɝ]: girl, hurt, serve, word

Less Common spellings for [ɝ]: learn, journey

🎧Listen and repeat [ɝ] words

Beginning	Middle	End
earn	burn	stir
early	first	were
urban	worm	deter
urgent	heard	occur

[ɝ] Sentences
Learn the verbs
The girls were early.