The International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) is one of modern linguistics’ greatest and most genius inventions. Besides its usefulness in accurately describing the sounds of every human language, we can use it for more fun stuff, like this article we wrote a while back. Below we have compiled the world’s most famous quotes that not everyone will understand. You have to qualify as a language nerd to understand them. Do share with us your favorite and don’t forget to share them with other people who might be interested.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
The International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) offers unparalleled convenience as a writing system due to its systematic representation of sounds across languages. Unlike traditional orthographies which often vary greatly in their depiction of sounds, the IPA provides a standardized method to accurately transcribe speech sounds regardless of language or dialect. This consistency eliminates ambiguity, making it invaluable for linguists, language learners, and anyone seeking precise phonetic representation.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
Moreover, its comprehensive coverage of sounds enables effective communication and transcription in diverse linguistic contexts, facilitating clearer pronunciation guides, accurate linguistic analysis, and improved language education. In essence, the IPA’s convenience lies in its ability to bridge linguistic barriers and provide a universal tool for phonetic transcription and understanding.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
ɪnˈkrɛdəbəl haʊ ˈivɪn nɑt ˈnoʊɪŋ ði aɪ-pi-eɪ aɪ kæn stɪl rid ˈɛvriˌθɪŋ. aɪ ʤʌst hæv ˈkɑnsənˌtreɪt.
They are great! Thank you!
Awesome. At last, all those classes paid off.
Your transcription of the diphthong O as /ou/ is not correct. It should be an inverted /e/ followed by u. Your transcription of IS looks and sounds strange.