Phoneticizing

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. Recording or rendering the sounds of speech using a phonetic alphabet or a spelling that matches pronunciation
2. Writing out a word so that its spelling directly reflects how it is actually pronounced
3. Representing spoken language with symbols that each stand for a single distinct speech sound

Etymology: "Phoneticizing" is the present participle of "phoneticize," a verb built from "phonetic" plus the suffix "-ize." The base word "phonetic" comes from Greek "phōnētikos," meaning "of sound or voice," itself from "phōnē," "sound, voice." The suffix "-ize," from Greek "-izein," turns a noun or adjective into a verb meaning "to make into" or "to treat in the manner of." Put together, "phoneticize" means to make something phonetic, that is, to render it in speech sounds, which is how the verb's sense of writing down or transcribing sounds arises. The form ending in "-ing" simply turns the action into a participle or gerund, so the word describes the ongoing process of representing sound in symbols.

Synonyms: transcribe, transliterate, romanize