English phonetic symbols (Consonant Symbols)

Introduction As you know there are 26 letters in the English alphabet, but because these letters can make different sounds when combined in different ways, there are actually 44 sounds; which called Phonemes. Each of these sounds has its own phonemic symbol.

What is Phonetic Symbol? Phonetic Symbols are transcription intended to represent each distinct speech sound with a separate symbol. We usually refer to them as IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet)

Some of the symbols are the same as the English alphabet, such as:

but many of the symbols are different, such as:

Consonant Phonetic Symbols we can classify consonant phonetic symbols in English into three categories: Straight forward Symbols. Not So Straight forward Symbols. New Symbols.

Straight forward symbols The following IPA symbols are used for the same sounds as the letters represent in standard English orthography: P, b, m, f, v, t, d, l, w

Not so straightforward The following IPA symbols may be used slightly differently than they are in ordinary English orthography: [j] is used completely differently. You should take special care in using these.

Not so straightforward k The [k] sound may be spelled with orthographic k, c, ck, or q. g Note that, while most people are too lazy to fight their computers in order to get it, this symbol should technically be done in a hand- printed style. s Note that orthographic s often represents [z] instead of [s]. Note that the sound [s] is often spelled with orthographic c.

Not so straightforward z Note that the sound [z] is often spelled with orthographic s, and that some orthographic zs are not [z], e.g., pizza. n [n] is always used for the sound in now or sun. It is not used for the sound that is spelled with the combination ng.

Not so straightforward h [h] is always used for the sound in happy or here. It is not used as in English spelling in combinations like ch, sh, th. j The "y" sound of English is represented with the IPA symbol [j], similar to the way it is spelled in German orthography.

New symbols

The "soft g" sound is usually spelled with orthographic j and sometimes g. Such as: Judge gym

Such as: Thing Finger

This sound is usually represented by orthographic ch This sound is usually represented by orthographic ch. Such as: Chicken Picture

This sound is usually represented by orthographic sh This sound is usually represented by orthographic sh. Such as: Show Sugar

Such as: Pleasure Lesion

Such as: This mother

One of the two sounds usually represented by orthographic th One of the two sounds usually represented by orthographic th. Such as: Thick Thought

What is the benefit from learning Phonemic Symbols? Knowing the phonemic symbols for the sounds in English can help a person read and write the pronunciation of English words, as well as helping one to read the pronunciations which are often shown in dictionaries.