Core concepts and background knowledge about the International Phonetic Alphabet and English phonetics.

Learn what pronunciation respelling is, how it differs from IPA, and when an easy-to-read pronunciation guide is more useful than phonetic symbols.


The International Phonetic Alphabet is a standardized notation for speech sounds — a more consistent guide than spelling. Read IPA with a chart and examples.


Why do Oxford and Cambridge transcribe the same English word differently? Explore the history of IPA, the Jones-Gimson-Wells lineage, and the Upton debate.
