IPA Translator

Convert English text to International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) transcription

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What is the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA)?

The International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) is a standardized system of phonetic notation that represents the sounds of spoken language. Developed by linguists in the late 19th century, IPA uses a unique symbol for each distinct sound, making it possible to accurately transcribe the pronunciation of words from any language.

Universal system used by linguists, teachers, and language learners worldwide
Each symbol represents one specific sound (phoneme)
Helps learners understand exact pronunciation without ambiguity
Used in dictionaries, language courses, and speech therapy

How to Use This IPA Translator

Enter Your Text

Type or paste any English text (up to 500 characters) into the input field above.

Choose Your Accent

Select between American English or British English pronunciation - each has distinct phonetic patterns.

Get Your Transcription

Click 'Translate to IPA' to receive the phonetic transcription instantly.

Listen & Learn

Use the speak button to hear the pronunciation and see words highlighted as they're spoken.

American vs British English Pronunciation

American and British English have distinct pronunciation patterns that are reflected in their IPA transcriptions. Understanding these differences is crucial for learners targeting a specific accent.

Feature	American	British
R-colored vowels	Americans pronounce 'r' after vowels: /kɑːr/	British often drop the 'r': /kɑː/
The 'a' in 'bath'	Short 'a' sound: /bæθ/	Long 'a' sound: /bɑːθ/
The 't' sound	Often becomes a flap 'd': /ˈwɔːdər/	Clear 't' sound: /ˈwɔːtə/

Why Learn IPA?

Improve Pronunciation

IPA shows you exactly how to pronounce words, eliminating guesswork from spelling.

Use Any Dictionary

Most dictionaries use IPA. Once you learn it, you can look up pronunciation anywhere.

Reduce Your Accent

Understanding phonemes helps you identify and correct sounds that don't exist in your native language.

Learn Languages Faster

IPA knowledge transfers to any language, making future language learning easier.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an IPA translator?

An IPA translator is a tool that converts regular text into International Phonetic Alphabet symbols, showing exactly how words should be pronounced. Our translator uses AI to provide accurate phonemic transcriptions for English text.

Is this IPA translator free to use?

Yes, our IPA translator is completely free to use. You can convert up to 500 characters per request, with a limit of 10 requests per minute to ensure fair usage for everyone.

What's the difference between phonemic and phonetic transcription?

Phonemic transcription (using /slashes/) shows the distinct sounds that change meaning in a language. Phonetic transcription (using [brackets]) shows more detailed pronunciation including allophones. Our translator provides phonemic transcription, which is most useful for language learners.

Why are there different transcriptions for American and British English?

American and British English have different pronunciation patterns. For example, Americans pronounce the 'r' after vowels (rhotic accent), while many British accents don't. The vowel in words like 'bath' also differs between the two varieties.

Can I use this for languages other than English?

Currently, our translator is optimized for English text only. It supports both American and British English pronunciation patterns.

How accurate is the IPA transcription?

Our translator uses advanced AI (GPT-4) trained on linguistic data to provide highly accurate transcriptions. However, for specialized or rare words, we recommend verifying with a dictionary.

What do the stress marks (ˈ and ˌ) mean?

The primary stress mark (ˈ) appears before the syllable with the strongest emphasis, like /ˈhæpi/ (happy). The secondary stress mark (ˌ) indicates a weaker stress, often in longer words like /ˌɪnfərˈmeɪʃən/ (information).

Can I hear the pronunciation?

Yes! Click the 'Speak' button to hear the text read aloud using your browser's text-to-speech feature. Words are highlighted as they're spoken to help you follow along.

Explore More IPA Resources

Enhance your learning with our comprehensive IPA tools and charts.