EDIT In the IPA this symbol represents a low (or open) central rounded vowel.

 dan.mccloy  :  dan.mccloy 

EDIT International Phonetic Alphabet

+ Vowel
+ Example in German // Messer (knife) [ˈmɛsɐ]
+ Sound example

+ Alternatives // unknown
+ Former versions // unknown
+ Origin // Latin alphabet, small letter
+ Visual characterisation // small letter ›a‹ rotated 180°

+ In the IPA since 1900
+ IPA number 324

+ This sound can be found in Arabic, Bulgarian, Chinese, Danish, German, Russian and Vietnamese.


Synonyms

English
+ Official name in the IPA // ›Near-open central vowel‹
+ Nonstandard // dull, light ›a‹
+ Rotated a
+ Turned a


+ Source //
Principles of the International Phonetic Association, London, 1949. /
Journal of the International Phonetic Association, 1989. /
Wikipedia. Die Liste der IPA-Zeichen & History of the International Phonetic Alphabet. /
Handbook of the International Phonetic Association: A Guide to the Use of the International Phonetic Alphabet. /
Pullum, Geoffrey and William A. Ladusaw. Phonetic Symbol Guide. Second edition.

 FrauFriedrich