Ipa

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A term referring to a system of phonetic notation devised to represent the sounds of spoken language precisely
2. An alphabetic code used by linguists to transcribe the exact pronunciation of words across different languages
3. A standardized set of symbols designed to show the phonemes of speech for consistent and clear pronunciation guidance

Etymology: The International Phonetic Alphabet was not a single invention but a committee project. It grew out of the Phonetic Teachers' Association, founded in Paris in 1886 by a group of language teachers led by the French linguist Paul Passy, who wanted a standard way to write sounds so that pupils could learn pronunciation accurately. The first version, published in 1888, was built around a principle that still shapes it today: one symbol for one sound, whatever the language. The name itself records the change. The organisation was renamed the International Phonetic Association in 1897, and the alphabet became known by the same name, which the abbreviation "IPA" now reads as. The word "ipa" is therefore simply the initials of that association's title, turned into a noun for the system it maintains. The alphabet has been revised several times since, most recently with additions in 2005, but the core idea of a universal set of symbols has remained.

Synonyms: India Pale Ale