How common is it while speaking Dutch to use the Svarabhakti vowel (in other words, the mute schwa /ə/ [uh] sound)? Do you, as a Dutch speaker, use it?

Answer 1

The Svarabhakti vowel is very common when speaking Dutch. I use it frequently, but not always. It's something that you do "automatically" when speaking.

It is basically done to make the pronunciation of certain words easier, believe it or not! As you learn the Dutch language, it must be confusing that quite a few words have TWO pronunciations as a result. On the bright side, when you speak Dutch yourself, you get to choose which pronunciation you use.