, Phonetic Transcription of English Speech
What is Phonetic Transcription?
Phonetic transcription is the system of writing spoken English using special symbols to show
exact pronunciation.
Instead of normal spelling, we use IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) symbols.
Simple idea:
It shows how words are actually spoken, not how they are written.
Why Do We Need Phonetic Transcription?
English spelling is often irregular and confusing.
Examples:
ough in different words:
through → /θruː/
though → /ðəʊ/
cough → /kɒf/
Same letters, different sounds → so we need transcription.
The International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA):
👉
The IPA is a standard system of symbols used to represent all speech sounds.
Each symbol represents one sound only
Examples:
/p/, /b/, /t/ → consonants
/iː/, /æ/, /ʊ/ → vowels
Types of Phonetic Transcription:
(a) Broad (Phonemic) Transcription:
Shows only main sounds (phonemes)
Written in slashes / /
Ignores small details
Example:
cat → /kæt/
(b) Narrow (Phonetic) Transcription:
Shows exact pronunciation
Uses diacritics (extra marks)
Written in square brackets [ ]
Example:
pin → [pʰɪn] (shows aspiration)
Features of Phonetic Transcription
(1) Based on Sounds, Not Spelling
knife → /naɪf/ (k is silent)
honest → /ˈɒnɪst/
(2) One Symbol = One Sound
What is Phonetic Transcription?
Phonetic transcription is the system of writing spoken English using special symbols to show
exact pronunciation.
Instead of normal spelling, we use IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) symbols.
Simple idea:
It shows how words are actually spoken, not how they are written.
Why Do We Need Phonetic Transcription?
English spelling is often irregular and confusing.
Examples:
ough in different words:
through → /θruː/
though → /ðəʊ/
cough → /kɒf/
Same letters, different sounds → so we need transcription.
The International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA):
👉
The IPA is a standard system of symbols used to represent all speech sounds.
Each symbol represents one sound only
Examples:
/p/, /b/, /t/ → consonants
/iː/, /æ/, /ʊ/ → vowels
Types of Phonetic Transcription:
(a) Broad (Phonemic) Transcription:
Shows only main sounds (phonemes)
Written in slashes / /
Ignores small details
Example:
cat → /kæt/
(b) Narrow (Phonetic) Transcription:
Shows exact pronunciation
Uses diacritics (extra marks)
Written in square brackets [ ]
Example:
pin → [pʰɪn] (shows aspiration)
Features of Phonetic Transcription
(1) Based on Sounds, Not Spelling
knife → /naɪf/ (k is silent)
honest → /ˈɒnɪst/
(2) One Symbol = One Sound
