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The Basics of IPA:
Mastering Pronunciation with HighVocab
The International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) is a system where each symbol represents a specific sound, or phoneme. Unlike English spelling, which can be inconsistent (think of "cough," "though," and "through"), IPA symbols always correspond to the same sounds.
Common IPA Symbols in English
Vowels:
- 🔊 /i/ – as in see (/si/)
- 🔊 /ɪ/ – as in bit (/bɪt/)
- 🔊 /ɛ/ – as in bet (/bɛt/)
- 🔊 /æ/ – as in cat (/kæt/)
- 🔊 /ɑ/ – as in father (/ˈfɑðɚ/)
- 🔊 /ɔ/ – as in thought (/θɔt/)
- 🔊 /ʊ/ – as in book (/bʊk/)
- 🔊 /u/ – as in blue (/blu/)
- 🔊 /ə/ – the "schwa," as in the a in sofa (/ˈsoʊfə/)
Consonants:
- 🔊 /ʃ/ – as in she (/ʃi/)
- 🔊 /ʒ/ – as in measure (/ˈmɛʒɚ/)
- 🔊 /θ/ – as in think (/θɪŋk/)
- 🔊 /ð/ – as in this (/ðɪs/)
- 🔊 /ŋ/ – as in sing (/sɪŋ/)
- 🔊 /tʃ/ – as in chop (/tʃɑp/)
- 🔊 /dʒ/ – as in jump (/dʒʌmp/)
How to Read Stress in IPA
In English, certain syllables are stressed more than others. This is shown in IPA with an apostrophe (ˈ) before the stressed syllable.
- 🔊/ˈvɔlt/ (vault) → The entire word is stressed since it’s just one syllable.
- 🔊/əˈbaʊt/ (about) → The second syllable is stressed.
- 🔊/ˈmʌðɚ/ (mother) → The first syllable is stressed.
- 🔊/ˌæp.lɪˈkeɪ.ʃən/ (application) → The strongest stress is on the third syllable, but there's a weaker stress on the first.
How HighVocab Helps You Learn Pronunciation
HighVocab makes learning pronunciation easy with IPA transcriptions, definitions, translations, and audio pronunciations for every word you save.
Steps to Learn Pronunciation Effectively:
- Click on a Word While Browsing → HighVocab instantly provides pronunciation, IPA transcription, and examples.
- Listen to the Pronunciation → Click the speaker icon to hear the word and repeat after it.
- Observe the IPA Notation → Notice the phonetic symbols and stress marks to understand correct pronunciation.
- Practice Regularly → Try pronouncing the word aloud using the IPA guide and compare it with the audio.
- Memorize & Review → Use HighVocab’s memorization feature to track words you’ve learned and test yourself later.
Why IPA Matters
- Helps you pronounce words correctly without guessing.
- Avoids confusion from inconsistent English spelling.
- Improves listening skills by recognizing sounds accurately.
With HighVocab, learning new words isn’t just about memorizing meanings—it’s about sounding confident when you speak!
💡 Start using HighVocab today and unlock the power of correct pronunciation!