  BaTiO3 is a classical ferroelectric studied for last one century for its
ferroelectric properties. Lattice dynamics of BaTiO3 is crucial as the utility
of devices is governed by phonons. In this work, we show that traditional
characterization of the polar phonon modes is ambiguous and often
misinterpreted. By combining Raman, Neutron and X-ray diffraction, dielectric
spectroscopic observations with first principle calculations, we have
re-examined the character of the normal modes of phonons of BaTiO3. We obtained
Eigen displacements of vibrational modes through DFT calculations and
reclassified the polar modes being Slater (Ti-O), Last (Ba-TiO3) and Axe (BO6)
vibrations by correlating experimental and theoretical calculations. The study
thus provides correct nomenclature of the polar modes along with the evidence
of presence of short range polar distortions along (111) directions in all the
phases shown by BaTiO3. The Burns temperature and absence of second order
contributions have been witnessed in the temperature dependent Raman study.
