International Phonetic Alphabet

We are excited to announce the release of our brand new, responsive, International Phonetic Alphabet chart with sounds.

What Is The International Phonetic Alphabet?

The International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) is an academic standard created by the International Phonetic Association.

IPA is a phonetic notation system that uses a set of symbols to represent each distinct sound that exists in human spoken language. It encompasses all languages spoken on earth. The system was created in 1886 and was last updated in 2005. It consists of 107 letters, 52 diacritics, and four prosodic marks.

To view the chart, and/or hear the sounds associated with each symbol, please go to our IPA chart with sounds.

The IPA is based on the Latin alphabet, but includes some non-Latin characters as well.

A “diacritical mark” or “diacritical point”, “diacritical signis” is a glyph added to a letter, or basic glyph.

Diacritical marks are added above, under or within a letter. They sometimes can also be placed in between two letters.

Prosody is a representation of the rhythm, stress, and intonation of speech.

IPA Translators

Try out the all new International Phonetic Alphabet Translators. Convert English, French, Spanish and more to IPA by simply entering the word into a textbox and the algorithm does the rest.

The International Phonetic Alphabet in Voice Acting

One challenge voice actors often face is the correct pronunciation of unfamiliar words, names, or technical terms. Mispronouncing words can lead to confusion, loss of credibility, and even the need for re-recordings, which can be costly and time-consuming. To avoid these issues and ensure consistent and accurate pronunciation, voice actors can use the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA).

The International Phonetic Alphabet is a standardized system of symbols that represent the sounds of spoken languages. It provides a clear and consistent method for transcribing the pronunciation of words, regardless of the language or dialect. Each symbol in the IPA corresponds to a specific sound, or phoneme, which allows voice actors to understand and reproduce the correct pronunciation of words accurately.

Voice actors can use the IPA in the following ways to ensure proper pronunciation when recording voice overs:

• Learn the IPA symbols: Start by familiarizing yourself with the IPA symbols and their corresponding sounds. Numerous resources are available online, including interactive charts and pronunciation guides, to help you understand and practice the IPA.
• Transcribe unfamiliar words: When preparing for a recording session, use the IPA to transcribe any unfamiliar or challenging words in the script. This transcription will serve as a reference during the recording session, helping you pronounce the words correctly.
• Collaborate with language experts: If you are working on a project in a language or dialect you are not familiar with, consult with a language expert who can provide IPA transcriptions for difficult words or phrases. This collaboration ensures that your pronunciation meets the expectations of your client and target audience.
• Develop your own IPA reference guide: Create a personal IPA reference guide containing common symbols and sounds that you frequently encounter in your voice over work. Having this guide readily available during recording sessions can help you quickly reference the correct pronunciation of words.
• By incorporating the International Phonetic Alphabet into their workflow, voice actors can improve their pronunciation accuracy, enhance their versatility, and deliver higher quality voice over recordings. Learning and using the IPA is an investment that can positively impact a voice actor’s skill set and career.

International Phonetic Association
The International Phonetic Association was founded in 1886 and is the oldest organization for phoneticians. The association’s mission is to “promote the scientific study of phonetics”. Link to the association’s official website. Available on the site is membership information, journal back issues, conference schedules and more.

Several important dates in IPA history were recently commemorated. 2011 was the 125th anniversary of the founding of the IPA. In 2013, the International Phonetic Association celebrated 125 years since the first publication of the International Phonetic Alphabet.