Abstract:
A system for conditioning a child to learn any language without an accent, contains a memory and a processor configured by the memory to perform the steps of: separating from a full International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) set, a native language IPA, resulting in a derivative set, wherein the native language is at least one native language of the child; sequencing the derivative set according to aspects of the derivative set, wherein aspects are selected from the group including consonants, vowels, and tones, resulting in a sequenced derivative set; selecting words in foreign languages that use at least one aspect of the sequenced derivative set each; embedding the selected words in an easy to follow format, in the native language of the child; and playing the easy to follow format with the embedded words according to the prior determined sequence of the sequenced derivative set.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to copending U.S. Provisional Application entitled, “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONDITIONING A CHILD TO LEARN ANY LANGUAGE WITHOUT AN ACCENT,” having Ser. No. 61/256,206, filed Oct. 29, 2009, which is entirely incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Tremendous resources are spent every year by individuals and companies to learn new languages. While an individual may be successful in learning a new language, it is quite often the case that the individual will have a strong accent. Typically, the accent is shaped by the native language of the individual. Having such an accent can be detrimental. As an example, strong accents can make understanding the spoken new language difficult. In addition, it is well known that having a strong accent can be a liability in the business world, especially in customer relations. 
     The International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) is a universal way to denote the sounds (utterances) of human languages. Each human language has its own IPA, which is a subset of the full IPA. As is illustrated by the diagram of  FIG. 1 , there is an area of overlap between languages (denoted as A), and then there are sounds that exist in a certain language or languages but not in other languages (denoted as B). 
     Human language sounds fall into one of four broad categories, namely, consonants, vowels, tones and stress, intonation and rhythm. When an adult who is a native speaker of language X, studies language Y, sounds of language Y that are not part of the IPA for language X are difficult for the adult to produce. This difficulty is often heard as the foreign accent to native speakers of language Y. In addition, in some cases such an adult would find it challenging to even recognize and distinguish some of the sounds in the language Y IPA that are not part of the language X IPA. 
     Thus, a heretofore unaddressed need exists in the industry to address the aforementioned deficiencies and inadequacies. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method for conditioning a child to learn any language without an accent. The system for conditioning a child to learn any language without an accent, contains a memory and a processor configured by the memory to perform the steps of: separating from a full International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) set, a native language IPA, resulting in a derivative set, wherein the native language is at least one native language of the child; sequencing the derivative set according to aspects of the derivative set, wherein aspects are selected from the group including consonants, vowels, and tones, resulting in a sequenced derivative set; selecting words in foreign languages that use at least one aspect of the sequenced derivative set each; embedding the selected words in an easy to follow format, in the native language of the child; and playing the easy to follow format with the embedded words according to the prior determined sequence of the sequenced derivative set. 
     The system may alternatively contain logic implemented via hardware logic circuitry configured to separate from a full International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) set, a native language IPA, resulting in a derivative set, wherein the native language is at least one native language of the child; logic implemented via hardware logic circuitry configured to sequence the derivative set according to aspects of the derivative set, wherein aspects are selected from the group containing consonants, vowels, and tones, resulting in a sequenced derivative set; logic implemented via hardware logic circuitry configured to select words in foreign languages that use at least one aspect of the sequenced derivative set each; logic implemented via hardware logic circuitry configured to embed the selected words in an easy to follow format, in the native language of the child; and logic implemented via hardware logic circuitry configured to play the easy to follow format with the embedded words according to the prior determined sequence of the sequenced derivative set. 
     It should be noted that the system may be provided for a single user, such as via a single general computer, or may be provided within a server or other device that allows multiple users to interact with the system from remote locations. Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the present invention will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the present invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Many aspects of the invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present invention. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views. 
         FIG. 1  is an International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) diagram illustrating that there is an area of overlap between different languages and that there are sounds that exist in a certain language or languages but not in other languages. 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram illustrating a general-purpose computer architecture that can implement the present system. 
         FIG. 3  is a flowchart illustrating a method of providing the abovementioned system in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a diagram further illustrating removal of the IPA covered by a shaded English circle. 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram illustrating use of the present system and method within a network, in accordance with the second exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present system and method is provided to condition a child to learn any language without an accent. A child who is a native speaker of language X, and learns to produce the sounds that are part of language Y IPA, but are not part of language X IPA, can then produce these sounds as an adult. The child, if he/she decides to study language Y as an adult, can easily produce the sounds of language Y IPA that are not in language X IPA, hence not sound as having a heavy foreign accent to native speakers of language Y. 
     The present invention is provided to teach children who are native speakers of language X, the sounds of the full IPA, minus those sounds that are contained by language X IPA, which they can already recognize, distinguish, and produce. The result is that these children will be able to recognize, distinguish, and then produce the full range of sounds of the IPA. At any point later in life, the children can study any language of their choosing, and be in a much better position to distinguish, recognize, and produce its IPA sounds that are not shared with their native language IPA. 
     For exemplary purposes, the IPA for the English language is presented as a specific example in table one below. In addition, the full IPA is presented in table two below. 
     Functionality of the present system  10  and method can be implemented in software, firmware, hardware, or a combination thereof. In a first exemplary embodiment, a portion of the system  10  is implemented in software  100 , as an executable program, and is executed by a special or general-purpose digital computer, such as a personal computer, a portable or mobile computer, workstation, minicomputer, or mainframe computer. The first exemplary embodiment of a general-purpose computer architecture that can implement the system  10  is shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     Generally, in terms of hardware architecture, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the computer  10  includes a processor  20 , memory  30 , storage device  40 , and one or more input and/or output (I/O) devices  50  (or peripherals) that are communicatively coupled via a local interface  60 . The local interface  60  can be, for example but not limited to, one or more buses or other wired or wireless connections, as is known in the art. The local interface  60  may have additional elements, which are omitted for simplicity, such as controllers, buffers (caches), drivers, repeaters, and receivers, to enable communications. Further, the local interface  60  may include address, control, and/or data connections to enable appropriate communications among the aforementioned components. 
     The processor  20  is a hardware device for executing software, particularly that stored in the memory  30 . The processor  20  can be any custom made or commercially available processor, a central processing unit (CPU), an auxiliary processor among several processors associated with the computer  10 , a semiconductor based microprocessor (in the form of a microchip or chip set), a macroprocessor, or generally any device for executing software instructions. 
     The memory  30  can include any one or combination of volatile memory elements (e.g., random access memory (RAM, such as DRAM, SRAM, SDRAM, etc.)) and nonvolatile memory elements (e.g., ROM, hard drive, tape, CDROM, etc.). Moreover, the memory  30  may incorporate electronic, magnetic, optical, and/or other types of storage media. Note that the memory  30  can have a distributed architecture, where various components are situated remote from one another, but can be accessed by the processor  20 . 
     The software  100  in the memory  30  may include one or more separate programs, each of which contains an ordered listing of executable instructions for implementing logical functions of the present system  10 , as described below. In the example of  FIG. 2 , the software  100  in the memory  30  defines the system  10  functionality in accordance with the present invention. In addition, the memory  30  may contain an operating system (O/S)  70 . The operating system  70  essentially controls the execution of computer programs and provides scheduling, input-output control, file and data management, memory management, and communication control and related services. 
     The system  10  may be provided by a source program, executable program (object code), script, or any other entity containing a set of instructions to be performed. When the system is provided by a source program, then the program needs to be translated via a compiler, assembler, interpreter, or the like, which may or may not be included within the memory  30 , so as to operate properly in connection with the O/S  70 . Furthermore, the system  10  can be written as (a) an object oriented programming language, which has classes of data and methods, or (b) a procedure programming language, which has routines, subroutines, and/or functions. In addition, the system  10  may be provided within a network so that multiple users may utilize the functionality of the software  100 . Such a network may be a private network, the Internet, or a different network. 
     The I/O devices  50  may include input devices, for example but not limited to, a keyboard, mouse, scanner, microphone, joystick, handheld game console interface, or other input device. Furthermore, the I/O devices  50  may also include output devices, for example but not limited to, a printer, a speaker, display, or other output device. Finally, the I/O devices  50  may further include devices that communicate via both inputs and outputs, for instance but not limited to, a modulator/demodulator (modem; for accessing another device, system, or network), a radio frequency (RF) or other transceiver, a telephonic interface, a bridge, a router, or other device. When the system  10  is in operation, the processor  20  is configured to execute the software  100  stored within the memory  30 , to communicate data to and from the memory  30 , and to generally control operations of the computer  10  pursuant to the software  100 . The software  100  and the O/S  70 , in whole or in part, but typically the latter, are read by the processor  20 , perhaps buffered within the processor  20 , and then executed. 
     When the system  10  is implemented in software, as is shown in  FIG. 2 , it should be noted that the system  10  can be stored on any computer readable medium for use by or in connection with any computer related system or method. In the context of this document, a computer readable medium is an electronic, magnetic, optical, or other physical device or means that can contain or store a computer program for use by or in connection with a computer related system or method. The system  10  can be embodied in any computer-readable medium for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device, such as a computer-based system, processor-containing system, or other system that can fetch the instructions from the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device and execute the instructions. In the context of this document, a “computer-readable medium” can be any means that can store, communicate, propagate, or transport the program for use by or in connection with the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. 
     The computer readable medium can be, for example but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, device, or propagation medium. More specific examples (a nonexhaustive list) of the computer-readable medium would include the following: an electrical connection (electronic) having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette (magnetic), a random access memory (RAM) (electronic), a read-only memory (ROM) (electronic), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM, EEPROM, or Flash memory) (electronic), an optical fiber (optical), and a portable compact disc read-only memory (CDROM) (optical). Note that the computer-readable medium could even be paper or another suitable medium upon which the program is printed, as the program can be electronically captured, via for instance optical scanning of the paper or other medium, then compiled, interpreted or otherwise processed in a suitable manner if necessary, and then stored in a computer memory. 
     In an alternative embodiment, where the system  10  is implemented in hardware, the system  10  can be implemented with any or a combination of the following technologies, which are each well known in the art: a discrete logic circuit(s) having logic gates for implementing logic functions upon data signals, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) having appropriate combinational logic gates, a programmable gate array(s) (PGA), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), etc. 
       FIG. 3  is a flowchart  200  illustrating a method of providing the abovementioned system  10  in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of the invention. It should be noted that any process descriptions or blocks in flowcharts should be understood as representing modules, segments, portions of code, or steps that include one or more instructions for implementing specific logical functions in the process, and alternative implementations are included within the scope of the present invention in which functions may be executed out of order from that shown or discussed, including substantially concurrently or in reverse order, depending on the functionality involved, as would be understood by those reasonably skilled in the art of the present invention. It should be noted that each of the following functional blocks are described in further detail below. 
     As is shown by block  202 , the IPA set is cut so as to remove the native language IPA of the child from the comprehensive IPA circle. At this stage the native language IPA of the child is removed from the full IPA set. The diagram of  FIG. 4  provides a further illustration of the removal, where one removes the IPA covered by the shaded English circle. For the present example, the native language of the child is English. What is left in the comprehensive IPA circle after the native language IPA of the child is removed, are the IPA sounds to be contained in the set. This resulting set is referred to herein as the native modified set. It should be noted that the native modified set is also referred to herein as a derivative set. 
     Returning to  FIG. 3 , the native modified set is then sequenced according to rules as described in further detail below (block  204 ), resulting in a sequenced set. It should be noted that while the following uses a specific grouping of the native modified IPA set, one having ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that a different logical sequence may be used. It is noted, however, that it is typically easier for a child to learn in the order listed below. 
     At this stage the native modified IPA set can be grouped into a few distinct categories, such as, for example, consonants, vowels, and tones, thereby providing the sequenced set. For exemplary purposes, these distinct categories can be sequenced so at to build an easy instruction set for the child. One such sequence can start with consonants (since consonants are easiest to learn), then vowels, then tones, though other sequences can also be selected, as long as the native modified IPA set is grouped into distinct categories, each containing one aspect (consonants, vowels, or tones). 
     Words in foreign languages that use an increasing number of aspects of the sequenced set each, are then selected (block  206 ). As an example, words in foreign languages may be picked that use one aspect of the sequenced set each, then two aspects of the sequenced set each, then three aspects of the sequenced set, according to the belowmentioned rules. It should be noted that consonants, vowels, and tones are each referred to herein as aspects. 
     Words that are picked are words that are easy to portray visually. The visual representation of the word should be distinct and memorable. An example of such a word may be, but is not limited to, a noun since nouns can easily be visualized. Words that are picked should be interesting to the child. As an example, for four year olds fascinated by animals, words should be animal names. Words are selected that each represent one aspect of the IPA sequenced set, namely, consonants, vowels, or tones. Although not required in accordance with the present invention, it is easiest to start with consonants (hereinafter referred to as “level 1 words”), then vowels (“level 2 words”), then tones (“level 3 words), as illustrated below, but such sequencing is not mandatory, as long as the full IPA set is covered with selected words that match the natural areas of interest of the child. 
     For example, dealing with consonants, for the IPA consonant [r], which does not exist in English, but exists in many other languages, pick the Spanish word “rata” which uses this sound, but other than that has no IPA that is not part of the English IPA (hence “rata” uses only one aspect of the sequenced set, the [r] aspect). As an example of dealing with vowels, for the IPS vowel [o], which does not exist in English, pick the French word “oiseau”, which uses this sound, but has no other IPA that is not part of the English IPA (hence “oiseau” uses only one aspect of the sequenced set, the [o] aspect). 
     This exercise can be repeated for stress only if the native language of the child has an IPA that is unique in its use of stress. French, for example, is a language with no stressing at all, so it falls into this category, but English does not fall into this category because English uses multiple stress patterns, as evidenced by its IPA. 
     After having created groups of words where each group represents only one aspect of the sequenced set, words are selected that represent two aspects at a time, for example two consonants, or a consonant and a vowel, or a consonant and a tone that are not part of the English IPA. These words are labeled “level 4 words”. Similarly, words are then selected that represent three aspects of the sequenced set each. These are labeled “level 5 words”. 
     As shown by block  208 , the selected words in the foreign languages are then embedded in an easy to follow format in the native speaking language, where the easy to follow format is memorable to the child. It should be noted that the format will depend on the age, experiences, and maturity of the child. As an example, the easy to follow format may be short stories, games, rhymes, quizzes, virtual adventures and experiences, or songs. 
     For each age group a selection of short stories, games, and songs in the native language of the child is used. These short stories, games, and songs are interesting to this age group, and are highly visual in nature. In “level 1 short stories” (or songs, or games, or rhymes, or virtual adventures and experiences, etc.) only “level 1 words” are embedded. In “level 2 short stories” (or songs, or games) only level 1 and level 2 words are embedded. In addition, in “level 3 short stories” (or songs, or games) only level 1, 2, and 3 words, and so on for levels 4 and 5 short stories. 
     The easy to follow format is then played with the embedded words (block  210 ), according to the sequence defined in block  204 . For example, start with “level 1 short stories”, which are stories in English, using foreign words introducing non English IPA consonants, one consonant at the time. 
     The child may then be tested on their ability to first recognize and distinguish the new sound, and second on their ability to pronounce the new sound perfectly (block  212 ). Since the words are all visual objects, tests should be focused on the ability of the child to memorize and recognize the sounds of the IPA set, and not on reading comprehension. 
     For example, in a story that uses “rata”, assign “rata” to a very distinct kind of rat (“rata” is Spanish for rat, hence this is a “natural use”) using a visual that would be memorable to the child. In a multiple choice question ask the child what animal this is, and play choices that are very close to “rata”, yet are different than “rata” only in this new consonant aspect. When the child has memorized the new sound (in this case, the new consonant aspect), he/she will be able to pick the correct answer. 
     As shown by block  214 , as the child masters the first part of the sequenced set, the present system  10  moves to the second part of the sequenced set and so on. At the end of the process, the child will have learned to recognize, distinguish, and produce the sounds of the IPA set that does not include their native language. These sounds could be associated with visuals in their minds, and will be at their disposal throughout life. When later in life this person decides to study Italian, as an example, when confronted with their first Italian word containing the vowel [o] (which is pretty much any Italian word that has the letter “o” in it), the person can be reminded of that exotic bird, the “oiseau”. Even though “oiseau” is a French word, it contains the [o] sound, which the person now has completely at their disposal to recognize, distinguish, and pronounce correctly with no English accent. 
     As previously mentioned, not only can the system  10  be used for training a child at a single location, as shown by the first exemplary embodiment of the invention, but, in accordance with a second exemplary embodiment of the invention, the system  10  may also be provided within a network so that multiple users may utilize the functionality of the software  100 . In such an embodiment, an example of which is illustrated by  FIG. 5 , the present system and method could be provided on a server  300 , where multiple children may interact with the system by communication with the server  300  via individual computers, such as a first computer  302  and second computer  304  illustrated by  FIG. 5 . Communication with the server  300  may be provided by one or more of many different communication methods, such as, but not limited to, via the Internet  306 , via wireless communication, via a wired connect, or via a local area network. In accordance with the second exemplary embodiment of the invention, the software is stored on the server  300  instead of individually on each computer  302 ,  304 . 
     It should be noted that the abovementioned creating of a subset of the IPA, which excludes the native language of the child and leaves a set of sounds to be taught, does not need to include all of the remaining sounds of all human languages. As an example, if a parent would like their native English speaking child to learn only the sounds of French, Mandarin, and Spanish, and not prevent the child from having an accent for all other languages that he/she may learn outside of these three, instead of beginning with a full IPA, we would begin with a modified IPA having the sounds of English, French, Mandarin, and Spanish. The other abovementioned steps would proceed as previously mentioned. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 The Phonetic Alphabet for English 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 IPA 
                 Examples 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Consonants 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 B 
                 buy, cab 
               
               
                   
                 D 
                 die, cad 
               
               
                   
                 
                           
                 
                 thy, breathe, father 
               
               
                   
                 
                           
                 
                 giant, badge 
               
               
                   
                 f 
                 phi, caff 
               
               
                   
                 g(′g) 
                 guy, cag 
               
               
                   
                 h 
                 high, ahead 
               
               
                   
                 j 
                 yes, hallelujah 
               
               
                   
                 k 
                 kye, sky, crack 
               
               
                   
                 l 
                 lie, sly, gal 
               
               
                   
                 m 
                 my, smile, cam 
               
               
                   
                 n 
                 nigh, snide, ban 
               
               
                   
                 
                           
                 
                 gang, sink, ringer 
               
               
                   
                 
                           
                 
                 finger 
               
               
                   
                 θ 
                 thigh, math 
               
               
                   
                 p 
                 pie, spy, cap 
               
               
                   
                 r 
                 rye, try, very 
               
               
                   
                 s 
                 sigh, mass 
               
               
                   
                 
                           
                 
                 shy, cash, emotion 
               
               
                   
                 t 
                 tie, sty, cat 
               
               
                   
                 
                           
                 
                 China, catch 
               
               
                   
                 v 
                 vie, have 
               
               
                   
                 w 
                 wye, swine 
               
               
                   
                 hw 
                 why 
               
               
                   
                 z 
                 Zion, has 
               
               
                   
                 
                           
                 
                 pleasure, vision, beige 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 IPA 
                 Traditional monophthongs 
                 R-colored vowels 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Vowels 
               
             
          
           
               
                 æ 
                 bat, bad, shall, ban 
                 ær 
                 barrow, marry 
               
               
                 
                           
                 
                 balm, father, bra 
                 
                           
                 
                 bar, mar, party, starring, 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 (            ) 
               
               
                 
                           
                 
                 bot, pod, John, doll 
                 
                           
                 
                 moral, forage 
               
               
                 
                           
                 
                 bawd, caught, dawn, ball, 
                 
                           
                 
                 born, for, aural (            ) 
               
               
                   
                 straw 
                   
                   
               
               
                 
                           
                 
                 code, boat, goal, bone, go 
                 
                           
                 
                 boar, four, more, oral 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 (            ) 
               
               
                 
                           
                 
                 good, foot, pull, Sunni 
                 
                           
                 
                 boor, moor, tourist 
               
               
                 u: 
                 food, lute, pool, soon, blue 
                   
                 (/u:r./) 
               
               
                 
                           
                 
                 bud, but, dull, gun 
                 
                           
                 
                 hurry, Murray 
               
               
                   
                   
                 
                           
                 
                 bird, myrrh, furry (also 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                             ) 
               
               
                 
                           
                 
                 bed, pet, bell, men 
                 
                           
                 
                 berry, merry 
               
               
                 eI 
                 fade, fate, fail, vein, pay 
                 
                           
                 
                 bear, mare, Mary (/eIr./) 
               
               
                 I 
                 bid, pit, bill, bin 
                 Ir 
                 mirror 
               
               
                 i: 
                 bead, peat, feel, mean, sea 
                 
                           
                 
                 beer, mere, serious 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 (/i:r./) 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Traditional diphthongs 
               
             
          
           
               
                 aI 
                 ride, write, file, fine, pie 
                 
                           
                 
                 void, exploit, foil, coin 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 boy 
               
               
                 
                           
                 
                 out, loud, owl, down, how 
                 ju: 
                 cute, hue, pew, dew 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Reduced vowels 
               
             
          
           
               
                 
                           
                 
                 Rosa&#39;s, a mission 
                 
                           
                 
                 button 
               
               
                 i 
                 happy, serious 
                 
                           
                 
                 rhythm 
               
               
                 
                           
                 
                 roses, emission 
                 
                           
                 
                 bottle 
               
               
                 
                           
                 
                 beautiful, curriculum (            ) 
                 
                           
                 
                 perform, mercer (also 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                             ) 
               
               
                 θ 
                 following, omission 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Stress 
                 Syllabification 
               
             
          
           
               
                 IPA 
                 Examples 
                 IPA 
                 Examples 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 ′ 
                 Intonation 
                 . 
                 shellfish            , selfish 
               
               
                   
                             , 
                   
                 
                           
                 
               
               
                 ′ 
                 battleship 
                   
                 nitrate /′naI.treIt/, night-rate 
               
               
                   
                 
                           
                 
                   
                 /′naIt.reIt/ 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 moai            
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 2 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 The full International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) 
               
               
                 Main symbols 
               
               
                 The symbols are arranged by similarity to letters of the Latin alphabet. 
               
               
                 Symbols that do not resemble any letter are placed at the end. 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Symbol 
                 Examples 
                 Description 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 A 
                   
                   
               
               
                 [a] 
                 Spanish casa, French patte,  
                 For many English speakers, 
               
               
                   
                 German Mann 
                 the first part of the ow 
               
               
                   
                   
                 sound in cow. Found in 
               
               
                   
                   
                 some dialects of English 
               
               
                   
                   
                 in cat or father. 
               
               
                 [a:] 
                 German Aachen, French gare 
                 Long [a]. 
               
               
                 
                           
                 
                 RP cut, German Kaiserslautern 
                 (With English,             is 
               
               
                   
                   
                 normally written 
               
               
                   
                   
                 “          ”.) 
               
               
                 
                           
                 
                 Finnish Linna, Dutch bad 
                   
               
               
                 
                           
                 
                 RP father, French pâte 
                 Long            . 
               
               
                 
                           
                 
                 French Caen, sans, temps 
                 Nasalized            . 
               
               
                 
                           
                 
                 RP cot 
                 Like            , but with the 
               
               
                   
                   
                 lips slightly rounded. 
               
               
                 
                           
                 
                   
                 Like            , but without 
               
               
                   
                   
                 the lips being rounded. 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (When “          ” is used for 
               
               
                   
                   
                 English, it may really be  
               
               
                   
                   
                             or           .) 
               
               
                 [æ] 
                 RP cat 
                   
               
               
                 B 
                   
                   
               
               
                 [b] 
                 English babble 
                   
               
               
                 
                           
                 
                 Swahili bwana 
                 Like a [b] said with a 
               
               
                   
                   
                 gulp. 
               
               
                 [B] 
                   
                 Like the brrr sound made 
               
               
                   
                   
                 when cold. 
               
               
                 [β] 
                 Spanish la Bamba 
                 Like [b], but with the 
               
               
                   
                   
                 lips not quite touching. 
               
               
                 C 
                   
                   
               
               
                 [c] 
                 Turkish kebap “kebab”, Czech  
                 Between English 
               
               
                   
                 stin “shadow” 
                 tune (RP) and cute. 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Sometimes used instead 
               
               
                   
                   
                 for             in languages 
               
               
                   
                   
                 like Hindi. 
               
               
                 [ç] 
                 German Ich 
                 More y-like than [x]. 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Some English speakers 
               
               
                   
                   
                 have a similar sound in 
               
               
                   
                   
                 huge. To produce this 
               
               
                   
                   
                 sound, try whispering 
               
               
                   
                   
                 loudly the word “ye” as in 
               
               
                   
                   
                 “Hear ye!”. 
               
               
                 
                           
                 
                 Mandarin Xi&#39;an, Polish ściana 
                 More y-like than            ; 
               
               
                   
                   
                 something like English she. 
               
               
                 
                           
                 
                 see under O 
                   
               
               
                 D 
                   
                   
               
               
                 [d] 
                 English did 
                   
               
               
                 
                           
                 
                 Swahili Dodoma 
                 Like [d] said with a gulp. 
               
               
                 
                           
                 
                 American English harder 
                 Like [d] with the tongue 
               
               
                   
                   
                 curled or pulled back. 
               
               
                 
                           
                 
                 English the, bathe 
                   
               
               
                 [dz] 
                 English adze, Italian zero 
                   
               
               
                 
                           
                 
                 English judge 
                   
               
               
                 
                           
                 
                 Polish niedźwiedź “bear” 
                 Like            , but with more 
               
               
                   
                   
                 of a y-sound. 
               
               
                 
                           
                 
                 Polish dżem “jam” 
                 Like             with the 
               
               
                   
                   
                 tongue curled or pulled back. 
               
               
                 E 
                   
                   
               
               
                 [e] 
                 Spanish fe; French clé 
                   
               
               
                 [e:] 
                 German Klee 
                 Long [e]. Similar to English 
               
               
                   
                   
                 hey, before the y sets in. 
               
               
                 
                           
                 
                 English above,  
                 (Only occurs in English 
               
               
                   
                 Hindi             (thug) “thief” 
                 when not stressed.) 
               
               
                 
                           
                 
                 American English runner 
                   
               
               
                 
                           
                 
                 English bet 
                   
               
               
                 
                           
                 
                 French Agen, vin, mairr;  
                 Nasalized            . 
               
               
                   
                 Polish           ka 
                   
               
               
                 
                           
                 
                 RP bird (long) 
                   
               
               
                 
                           
                 
                 American English bird 
                   
               
               
                 F 
                   
                   
               
               
                 [f] 
                 English fun 
                   
               
               
                 
                           
                 
                 see under J 
                   
               
               
                 
                           
                 
                 see under J 
                   
               
               
                 G 
                   
                   
               
               
                 [g] 
                 English gig 
                 (Should look like g. No 
               
               
                   
                   
                 different from a Latin “g”) 
               
               
                 
                           
                 
                 Swahili Uganda 
                 Like [g] said with a gulp. 
               
               
                 [G] 
                   
                 Like [g], but further back, 
               
               
                   
                   
                 in the throat. 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Found in some Arabic dia- 
               
               
                   
                   
                 lects for /q/, as in Gaddafi. 
               
               
                 
                           
                 
                 see under Z 
                 English beige. 
               
               
                 H 
                   
                   
               
               
                 [h] 
                 American English house 
                   
               
               
                 
                           
                 
                 English ahead, when said  
                   
               
               
                   
                 quickly. 
                   
               
               
                 [ h ] 
                   
                 The extra puff of air 
               
               
                   
                   
                 in English top             
               
               
                   
                   
                 compared to stop            
               
               
                   
                   
                 or to French or Spanish [t]. 
               
               
                 
                           
                 
                 Arabic             Muhammad 
                 Far down in the throat, 
               
               
                   
                   
                 like [h], but stronger. 
               
               
                 
                           
                 
                 see under U 
                   
               
               
                 
                           
                 
                 see under L 
                   
               
               
                 I 
                   
                   
               
               
                 [i] 
                 French ville, Spanish Valladolid 
                   
               
               
                 [i:] 
                 English sea 
                 Long [i]. 
               
               
                 [l] 
                 English sit 
                   
               
               
                 
                           
                 
                 Russian             “you” 
                 Often used for unstressed 
               
               
                   
                   
                 English roses. 
               
               
                 J 
                   
                   
               
               
                 [j] 
                 English yes, German Junge 
                   
               
               
                 [ j ] 
                 Russian             [l j e′n j In] 
                 Indicates a sound is more 
               
               
                   
                   
                 y-like. 
               
               
                 
                           
                 
                 Spanish cayo (some dialects) 
                 Like [j], but stronger. 
               
               
                 
                           
                 
                 Turkish gör “see”, Czech díra  
                 Between English dew (RP) 
               
               
                   
                 “hole” 
                 and argue. 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Sometimes used instead for 
               
               
                   
                   
                             in languages like 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Hindi. 
               
               
                 
                           
                 
                 Swahili jambo 
                 Like             said with a 
               
               
                   
                   
                 gulp. 
               
               
                 K 
                   
                   
               
               
                 [k] 
                 English kick, skip 
                   
               
               
                 L 
                   
                   
               
               
                 [l] 
                 English leaf 
                   
               
               
                 
                           
                 
                 English wool 
                 “Dark” el. 
               
               
                   
                 Russian  
                   
               
               
                   
                                         “small” 
                   
               
               
                 
                           
                 
                 Welsh llwyd             “grey” 
                 Rather like [l] and             
               
               
                   
                 Zulu hlala             “sit” 
                 or [l] and [θ] said together. 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Found in Welsh names like 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Lloyd and Llywelyn and 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Nelson Mandela&#39;s Xhosa 
               
               
                   
                   
                 name Rolihlahla. 
               
               
                 
                           
                 
                   
                 Like [l] with the tongue 
               
               
                   
                   
                 curled or pulled back. 
               
               
                 
                           
                 
                   
                 A flapped [l], like [l] 
               
               
                   
                   
                 and             said together. 
               
               
                 
                           
                 
                 Zulu dla “eat” 
                 Rather like [l] and            , 
               
               
                   
                   
                 or [l] and            , said 
               
               
                   
                   
                 together. 
               
               
                 M 
                   
                   
               
               
                 [m] 
                 English mime 
                   
               
               
                 
                           
                 
                 English symphony 
                 Like [m], but lips touch teeth 
               
               
                   
                   
                 as they do in [f]. 
               
               
                 
                           
                 
                 see under W 
                   
               
               
                 
                           
                 
                 see under W 
                   
               
               
                 N 
                   
                   
               
               
                 [n] 
                 English nun 
                   
               
               
                 
                           
                 
                 English sing 
                   
               
               
                 
                           
                 
                 Spanish Peña, French champagne 
                 Rather like English canyon. 
               
               
                 
                           
                 
                 Hindi                        
                 Like [n] with the tongue 
               
               
                   
                 “Varuna” 
                 curled or pulled back. 
               
               
                 [N] 
                 Castilian Spanish Don Juan  
                 Like            , but further 
               
               
                   
                 
                           
                 
                 back, in the throat. 
               
               
                 O 
                   
                   
               
               
                 [o] 
                 Spanish no, French eau 
                   
               
               
                 [o:] 
                 German Boden, French Vosges 
                 Long [o]. Somewhat 
               
               
                   
                   
                 reminiscent of English no. 
               
               
                 
                           
                 
                 German Oldenburg, French  
                   
               
               
                   
                 Garonne 
                   
               
               
                 
                           
                 
                 RP law, French Limoges 
                 Long            . 
               
               
                 
                           
                 
                 French Lyon, sorr, Polish  
                 Nasalized            . 
               
               
                   
                 k          t 
                   
               
               
                 [ø] 
                 French feu, bœufs 
                 Like [e], but with the 
               
               
                   
                   
                 lips rounded like [o]. 
               
               
                 [ø:] 
                 German Goethe, French Deûle,  
                 Long [ø]. 
               
               
                   
                 neutre 
                   
               
               
                 [θ] 
                 Swedish dum 
                 Halfway between [o] 
               
               
                   
                   
                 and [ø]. Similar to             
               
               
                   
                   
                 but with the tongue slightly 
               
               
                   
                   
                 more down and front. 
               
               
                 [œ] 
                 French bœuf, seul, German  
                 Like            , but with the 
               
               
                   
                 Göttingen 
                 lips rounded like            . 
               
               
                 [œ:] 
                 French œuvre, heure 
                 Long [œ]. 
               
               
                 
                           
                 
                 French brun, parfum 
                 Nasalized [œ]. 
               
               
                 [θ] 
                 English thigh, bath 
                   
               
               
                 [φ] 
                 Japanese                        
                 Like [p], but with the 
               
               
                   
                 Fuji 
                 lips not quite touching 
               
               
                 P 
                   
                   
               
               
                 [p] 
                 English pip, spit 
                   
               
               
                 Q 
                   
                   
               
               
                 [q] 
                 Arabic Qur&#39;ān 
                 Like [k], but further 
               
               
                   
                   
                 back, in the throat. 
               
               
                 R 
                   
                   
               
               
                 [r] 
                 Spanish perro, Scots borrow 
                 “Rolled R”. 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (Generally used for English 
               
               
                   
                   
                             when there&#39;s no need 
               
               
                   
                   
                 to be precise.) 
               
               
                 
                           
                 
                 Spanish pero, Tagalog daliri,  
                 “Flapped R”. 
               
               
                   
                 Malay kabar, American  
                   
               
               
                   
                 English kitty/kiddie 
                   
               
               
                 [R] 
                   
                 A trill in the back of the 
               
               
                   
                   
                 throat. Found for /r/ in 
               
               
                   
                   
                 some conservative 
               
               
                   
                   
                 registers of French. 
               
               
                 
                           
                 
                 Hindi                          “sari” 
                 Like flapped            , but 
               
               
                   
                   
                 with the tongue curled back. 
               
               
                 
                           
                 
                 RP borrow 
                   
               
               
                 
                           
                 
                 American English borrow,  
                 Like            , but with the 
               
               
                   
                 butter 
                 tongue curled or pulled 
               
               
                   
                   
                 back, as pronounced by 
               
               
                   
                   
                 many English speakers. 
               
               
                 
                           
                 
                 French Paris, German Riemann 
                 Said back in the 
               
               
                   
                   
                 throat, but not trilled. 
               
               
                 S 
                   
                   
               
               
                 [S] 
                 English sass 
                   
               
               
                 
                           
                 
                 English shoe 
                   
               
               
                 
                           
                 
                 Mandarin Shàolín, Russian  
                 Acoustically similar to 
               
               
                   
                             (Pushkin) 
                            , but with the tongue 
               
               
                   
                   
                 curled or pulled back. 
               
               
                 T 
                   
                   
               
               
                 [t] 
                 English tot, stop 
                   
               
               
                 
                           
                 
                 Hindi                        (thug)  
                 Like [t], but with the 
               
               
                   
                 “thief” 
                 tongue curled or pulled back. 
               
               
                 [ts] 
                 English cats, Russian             
                   
               
               
                   
                 tsar 
                   
               
               
                 
                           
                 
                 English church 
                   
               
               
                 
                           
                 
                 Mandarin              (i)  B{hacek over (e)}ijīng,  
                 Like            , but with 
               
               
                   
                 Polish ciebie “you” 
                 more of a y-sound. 
               
               
                 
                           
                 
                 Mandarin zh, Polish cz 
                 Like             with the 
               
               
                   
                   
                 tongue curled or pulled back. 
               
               
                 U 
                   
                   
               
               
                 [u] 
                 French vous “you” 
                   
               
               
                 [u:] 
                 French Rocquencourt, German  
                 Long [u]. 
               
               
                   
                 Schumacher, close to RP food 
                   
               
               
                 
                           
                 
                 English foot, German  
                   
               
               
                   
                 Bundesrepublik 
                   
               
               
                 
                           
                 
                 Australian English food (long) 
                 Like            , but with the 
               
               
                   
                   
                 lips rounded as for [u]. 
               
               
                 
                           
                 
                 French lui 
                 Like [j] and [w] said 
               
               
                   
                   
                 together. 
               
               
                 
                           
                 
                 see under W 
                   
               
               
                 V 
                   
                   
               
               
                 [V] 
                 English verve 
                   
               
               
                 
                           
                 
                 Hindi                        
                 Between [v] and [w]. 
               
               
                   
                  “Varuna” 
                 Used by some Germans and 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Russians for v/w, and by 
               
               
                   
                   
                 some speakers of British 
               
               
                   
                   
                 English for r. 
               
               
                 
                           
                 
                 Arabic/Swahili ghali  
                 Sounds rather like 
               
               
                   
                 “expensive”, Spanish suegro 
                 French             or between 
               
               
                   
                   
                 [g] and [h]. 
               
               
                 
                           
                 
                 Mandarin Hénán 
                 Like [o] but without the lips 
               
               
                   
                   
                 rounded, something like a 
               
               
                   
                   
                 cross of             and           . 
               
               
                 
                           
                 
                 see under A 
                   
               
               
                 W 
                   
                   
               
               
                 [W] 
                 English wow 
                   
               
               
                 [ w ] 
                 English rain             
                 Indicates a sound has lip 
               
               
                   
                   
                 rounding, quick. 
               
               
                 
                           
                 
                 what (some dialects) 
                 like [h] and [w] said 
               
               
                   
                   
                 together 
               
               
                 
                           
                 
                 Turkish kaylk “caïque” 
                 Like [u], but with the lips 
               
               
                   
                   
                 flat; something like            . 
               
               
                 
                           
                 
                 Spanish agua 
                   
               
               
                 X 
                   
                   
               
               
                 [X] 
                 Scottish English loch, German  
                 between [k] and [h] 
               
               
                   
                 Bach, Russian             
                   
               
               
                   
                             “good”, Spanish  
                   
               
               
                   
                 joven 
                   
               
               
                 
                           
                 
                 northern Standard Dutch  
                 Like [x], but further back, in 
               
               
                   
                 Scheveningen, Castilian Spanish 
                 the throat. 
               
               
                   
                 Don Juan             
                 Some German and Arabic 
               
               
                   
                   
                 speakers have             for [x]. 
               
               
                 Y 
                   
                   
               
               
                 [y] 
                 French rue 
                 Like [i], but with the lips 
               
               
                   
                   
                 rounded as for [u]. 
               
               
                 [y:] 
                 German Bülow, French sûr 
                 Long [y]. 
               
               
                 [Y] 
                 German Eisenhüttenstadt 
                 Like [I], but with the lips 
               
               
                   
                   
                 rounded as for           . 
               
               
                 
                           
                 
                 Spanish llama (Castilian) 
                 More y-like than [l]. 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Rather like English volume. 
               
               
                 
                           
                 
                 see under U 
                   
               
               
                 
                           
                 
                 see under V 
                   
               
               
                 
                           
                 
                 see under V 
                   
               
               
                 Z 
                   
                   
               
               
                 [Z] 
                 English zoos 
                   
               
               
                 
                           
                 
                 English vision, French journal 
                   
               
               
                 
                           
                 
                 formal Russian               
                 More y-like than            , 
               
               
                   
                              “you burn”, Polish źle 
                 something like beigey. 
               
               
                 
                           
                 
                 Mandarin              Rénmín  
                 Like             with the tongue 
               
               
                   
                 Rìbào “People&#39;s Daily”,  
                 curled or pulled back. 
               
               
                   
                 Russian             “journal” 
                   
               
               
                 
                           
                 
                 see under L 
                   
               
               
                 Other 
                   
                   
               
               
                 
                           
                 
                 English uh-oh, Hawai&#39;i, German  
                 The ‘glottal stop’, a catch in 
               
               
                   
                 die Angst 
                 the breath. 
               
               
                   
                   
                 For some people, found in 
               
               
                   
                   
                 button           , or between 
               
               
                   
                   
                 vowels across words: Deus 
               
               
                   
                   
                 ex machina 
               
               
                   
                   
                                       ; 
               
               
                   
                   
                 in some nonstandard 
               
               
                   
                   
                 dialects, in a apple 
               
               
                   
                   
                            . 
               
               
                 
                           
                 
                 Arabic             ( c arabī) 
                 A light sound deep in 
               
               
                   
                 “Arabic” 
                 the throat. 
               
               
                 [l] 
                 English tsk-tsk! or tut-tut!, Zulu  
                 (The English click used for 
               
               
                   
                 icici “earring” 
                 disapproval.) Several distinct 
               
               
                   
                   
                 sounds, written as digraphs, 
               
               
                   
                   
                 including [kl], [gl],           . 
               
               
                   
                   
                 The Zimbabwean MP 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Ncube has this click in his 
               
               
                   
                   
                 name, as did Cetshwayo. 
               
               
                 [ll] 
                 English tchick! tchick!, Zulu  
                 (The English click used to 
               
               
                   
                 ixoxo “frog” 
                 urge on a horse.) Several 
               
               
                   
                   
                 distinct sounds, written as 
               
               
                   
                   
                 digraphs, including [kll], 
               
               
                   
                   
                 [gll],           . Found in the 
               
               
                   
                   
                 name of the Xhosa. 
               
               
                 [!] 
                 Zulu iqaqa “polecat” 
                 A hollow popping sound, 
               
               
                   
                   
                 like a cork pulled from a 
               
               
                   
                   
                 bottle. Several distinct 
               
               
                   
                   
                 sounds, written as digraphs, 
               
               
                   
                   
                 including [k!], [g!],           . 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Diacritic Marks 
     All diacritics are here shown on a carrier letter such as the vowel a. 
     
       
         
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Symbol 
                 Example 
                 Description 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 
                   [′a] 
                 
                   
                 Main stress. The mark denotes  
               
               
                   
                 
                   pronunciation 
                 
                 the stress of the  following  syllable. 
               
               
                 
                   [ ′ a] 
                 
                                        
                 Weaker stress. The mark denotes 
               
               
                   
                   
                 the stress of the following syllable. 
               
               
                 
                   [a:] 
                 
                 English  shh !            
                 Long. Often used with English  
               
               
                   
                   
                 vowels or diphthongs:  Mayo   
               
               
                   
                   
                             for            , etc. 
               
               
                 
                   [a&#39;] 
                 
                 RP  caught              
                 Semi-long. (Although the vowel  
               
               
                   
                   
                 is different, this is also longer  
               
               
                   
                   
                 than  cot             .) 
               
               
                 
                           
                 
                 English  cow             , koi 
                 This vowel runs into the vowel  
               
               
                   
                 
                           
                 
                 next to it. (In English, the diacritic 
               
               
                   
                   
                 is generally left off:           .) 
               
               
                 
                   [ã] 
                 
                 French  vin blanc              
                 A  nasal  vowel, as with a Texas  
               
               
                   
                 “white wine” 
                 twang. 
               
               
                 
                           
                 
                   
                 Sounds like a loud whisper;  
               
               
                   
                   
                              is like a whispered breath 
               
               
                   
                   
                 through the nose. [l] is  
               
               
                   
                   
                 found in Tibetan  Lhasa . 
               
               
                 
                           
                 
                 English  button   
                 A consonant without a vowel.  
               
               
                   
                   
                 (English              is often 
               
               
                   
                   
                 transcribed            .) 
               
               
                 
                           
                 
                 Spanish  dos , French 
                 The tongue touches the teeth  
               
               
                   
                 deux 
                 more than it does in English. 
               
               
                 
                   [k h ] 
                 
                 English  come   
                 Aspirated consonant,  
               
               
                   
                   
                 pronounced with a puff of air. 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Similarly [t h  p h  ts h              ]. 
               
               
                 
                   [k′] 
                 
                 Zulu  ukuza  “come” 
                 Like a popped [k], pushed from  
               
               
                   
                   
                 the throat. Similarly [t′ p′ q′ 
               
               
                   
                   
                             ts′            ]. 
               
             
          
           
               
                 
                   [á] 
                 
                 Mandarin            [mámā] 
                 High tone. 
                 Careful! 
               
               
                   
                 “mother” 
                   
                 The  Pinyin   
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 Romanization  
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 used for Mandarin 
               
               
                 
                   [ā] 
                 
                 Mandarin            [mámā] 
                 Mid tone. 
                 has these same  
               
               
                   
                 “mother” 
                   
                 diacritics, but with 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 different values. 
               
               
                 
                   [à] 
                 
                 Mandarin                        
                 Low tone. 
                 However,  Thai    
               
               
                   
                 “horse&#39;s” 
                   
                 Romanization  
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 uses them the  
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 way the IPA does. 
               
               
                 
                   [â] 
                 
                 Mandarin             [mâ] 
                 Falling tone. 
                   
               
               
                   
                 “scold” 
                   
                   
               
               
                 
                   [{hacek over (a)}] 
                 
                 Mandarin            [m{hacek over (a)}] 
                 Rising tone. 
                   
               
               
                   
                 “hemp” 
                   
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 
                   [.] 
                 
                 English  courtship   
                   Syllable  break. (this is often  
               
               
                   
                 
                           
                 
                 redundant and therefore left off) 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of the present invention are merely possible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the invention. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments of the invention without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the invention. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and the present invention and protected by the following claims.