Talk:Approximant consonant
From Academic Kids
How is this different from a schwa?
A schwa is a vowel of indeterminate quality -- usually a "reduced" one. Approximants are consonants, albeit pronounced with a greater opening of the vocal tract than other kinds of consonant. They are distinguished more by their unique resonance than by any kind of "sound effect" produced in the mouth (like the sound of friction or the final burst accompanying a stop articulation).
