The International Phonetic Alphabet

The International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) is a standardized system that uses unique symbols to represent all the sounds across world languages. It provides a consistent way to write pronunciation, regardless of spelling or language, helping linguists, language learners, and educators accurately capture how words are spoken. Each symbol corresponds to a specific sound, such as vowels or consonants, making it easier to study, compare, and learn pronunciation worldwide. The IPA promotes clear communication about speech sounds without ambiguity, serving as a universal guide for accurate phonetic transcription.