The most learners need is the International Phonetic Alphabet (): a set of symbols where each one stands for one sound, not one letter. It lets you read the exact pronunciation of any English word in a dictionary, for example /θɪŋk/ for think. It is not the same as the spelling alphabet 'Alpha, Bravo, Charlie'.
What the phonetic alphabet is
English spelling is a poor guide to pronunciation. The letters ough are said four different ways in through, though, tough and cough. The , or , fixes this problem. It gives each sound its own symbol, and each symbol always means the same sound.
Do not confuse the IPA with the spelling alphabet used by pilots and radio operators ('Alpha, Bravo, Charlie'). That is a way of spelling out letters clearly. The IPA records sounds, not letters. In this article, 'phonetic alphabet' means the IPA.
Why learn it?
Every good learner's dictionary gives the for each word, usually in slashes after the headword. If you can read the symbols, you can find the pronunciation of a new word at any time, without needing to hear it first. You can also see the , the length and the weak .
It also helps you notice sounds that spelling hides. The word think has five letters but only four sounds. The IPA /θɪŋk/ shows that th is one sound, , and that the letter n here is the sound , as in sing, followed by .
How to read the IPA
Read the symbols one at a time and say the sound for each. Most look like the letters you know. The symbols that are new for most learners are the and a few consonants.
A short guide to the marks used in dictionaries:
- / / (slashes) show that the word is written in phonemic symbols: /kæt/ is cat.
- ˈ before a shows the main : /əˈbaʊt/ about.
- ˌ before a syllable shows a weaker, secondary stress: /ˌɪnfəˈmeɪʃn/ information.
- ː after a vowel shows that it is long: in sheep.
- Two vowel symbols together show a , a glide: in five.
The symbols you need first
You do not need to learn all 44 symbols on the first day. Begin with the ones that are different from the letters you know, and with the sounds that your first language does not have.
- and (think, this) · and (she, measure)
- (sing) · (yes, not the letter j)
- (jam) · (chair)
- (ship) and (sheep) · (cat) and (cup)
- (hot) and (door) · (about) and (bird)
Common mistakes when reading the IPA
The most common mistake is to read an symbol as if it were an English letter. The symbol is the sound at the start of yes, not the sound at the start of jam. The symbol is the in bed, not the long vowel in me. The symbol is the English r sound, and you do not roll it.
Another mistake is to forget that dictionaries show one accent. A British dictionary writes car as /kɑː/ (some write /kɑː(r)/, with a bracketed r that is said only before a vowel), and an American dictionary writes /kɑːr/. Choose a British dictionary if you want to follow the model used on this site, and use the same dictionary all the time.
Reading a whole sentence
Here is a short sentence written in the : I think it is a good idea. /aɪ θɪŋk ɪt ɪz ə ɡʊd aɪˈdɪə/. Notice that the words 'it', 'is' and 'a' are short, and that 'a' is the . The only mark is in 'idea', which has its strong second.
Try reading it aloud, one symbol at a time, and then at normal speed. Then choose a sentence of your own and look up each word.
Where to go next
This site has separate guides for the main topics of English pronunciation, listed below. Start with the one that matches your biggest problem.
You do not need to write the by hand. Most online dictionaries show it and have a button to hear the word. When you meet a symbol you do not know, find it in the phonemic chart and say its example word.
- The phonemic chart: all 44 British English sounds with example words.
- English sounds: the 20 vowels and the contrasts that matter.
- Word and the sound: where the strong and weak fall.
- , and : how sentences really sound.
- ED pronunciation and : endings and groups of .
- How to improve pronunciation: a ten-minute daily routine.
How to make the sound
- For : touch the back of your top front teeth with the tip of your tongue and blow air out.
- For : round your lips and pull the tongue back a little, as in she.
- For : raise the back of your tongue to the and let the sound come through your nose.
- For : relax your mouth completely and make a very short 'uh'.
IELTS tip
You will not use the in the test itself, but it is a powerful tool for preparation. Use it to look up the pronunciation and of every new academic word you learn. Then say the word aloud before you use it in a Speaking answer.
Frequently asked questions
What is the phonetic alphabet?
A set of symbols where each symbol stands for one sound. The standard version is the ().
Is the phonetic alphabet the same as 'Alpha, Bravo, Charlie'?
No. That is a spelling alphabet used to spell out letters clearly on the radio. The IPA records sounds.
Do I need to learn the IPA for IELTS?
You do not need it in the test, but it helps you check the pronunciation and of new words when you prepare.
Where can I see the IPA?
In most learner's dictionaries, usually between slashes after the word, for example /ˈɪntrəstɪŋ/.
Sources
- International Phonetic Association (1999). Handbook of the International Phonetic Association: A Guide to the Use of the International Phonetic Alphabet. Cambridge University Press.
- Roach, P. (2009). English Phonetics and Phonology: A Practical Course (4th ed.). Cambridge University Press.