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Glite Dictionary
sound alphabet

sound alphabet

8.2
A set of letters that show speech sounds like the International Phonetic Alphabet
  • noun
  • /saʊnd ˈælfəˌbɛt/
  • Specialized
translation icon : alfabeto sonoro
  • The International Phonetic Alphabet is the most widely known sound alphabet in the world.

Examples

  • Linguists often use a sound alphabet to transcribe and study unfamiliar languages.

  • The sound alphabet helps children learn pronunciation.

  • Learning a sound alphabet can help actors master different accents.

  • Many educators prefer using a sound alphabet in teaching.

  • Linguists often use a sound alphabet to transcribe and study unfamiliar languages.

  • The International Phonetic Alphabet is the most widely known sound alphabet in the world.

  • Learning a sound alphabet can help actors master different accents.

Synonyms

alphabet
vssound alphabet
72 1.0

A set of letters in a fixed order for writing a language

is specifically about designing characters to mark each distinct speech sound
phonetic alphabet
vssound alphabet
  • Specialized
1 4.9

A set of symbols that each show one speech sound and how words are said

is the same idea but stated as characters designed to match distinct sounds
phonography
vssound alphabet
  • Specialized
9.9

A writing system where symbols show speech sounds

focuses on designing characters for distinct speech sounds rather than general writing
alphabetic script
vssound alphabet
4.1

A writing system that uses letters to show spoken sounds

highlights representing each distinct speech sound rather than general letter use
alphabetic writing
vssound alphabet
  • Specialized
3.8

A system that uses letters to show the separate sounds of a language

narrows focus to characters designed for distinct speech sounds only

Surface Forms

sound alphabet singular
sound alphabets plural

Morphology

sound + alphabet

The meaning is directly derived from combining 'sound' (speech sounds) with 'alphabet' (a set of written symbols): it denotes an alphabet that represents sounds. This compositional, descriptive structure is cross-linguistically common (e.g. 'phonetic alphabet'), so a B1 learner who knows both words would readily infer the meaning.

Etymology

The noun sound alphabet names an alphabet where each speech sound has its own letter, so you can write how words really sound. That's why a sound alphabet is used 'to show exactly how words sound'.