Äännesymboleja

Äännesymboleja, known in English as sound symbols or phonetic symbols, are a system of visual representations used to denote speech sounds. These symbols are distinct from letters in an alphabet, which typically represent morphemes or phonemes in a particular language. The most widely recognized system of sound symbols is the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA).

The primary purpose of sound symbols is to provide a standardized and unambiguous way to transcribe pronunciation. This is crucial for linguists, language learners, lexicographers, and speech therapists, among others. By using a consistent set of symbols, pronunciation can be accurately recorded and communicated across different languages and dialects, regardless of the orthography of the written language. Each symbol in a well-designed phonetic system typically corresponds to a single, distinct speech sound.

The IPA, developed by the International Phonetic Association, consists of over 100 symbols, including letters from the Latin alphabet, modified Latin letters, Greek letters, and entirely new symbols. It is organized based on how sounds are produced (phonetics), categorizing them by place and manner of articulation for consonants, and by tongue position and lip rounding for vowels. Diacritics are also used in conjunction with base symbols to indicate secondary phonetic features such as aspiration, nasalization, or tone. The use of sound symbols allows for precise documentation of pronunciation variations and the recording of sounds that may not have a direct equivalent in the standard spelling of a language.