IPA stands for the International Phonetic Alphabet, not India Pale Ale.
Started by the International Phonetic Association in 1886, this Roman-based alphabet was designed to create a level of consistency and symmetry between different languages. The result created system where a specific vowel or consonant combination was always pronounced the same.
Intro to IPA
As seen from the top of the screen, these combinations are easiest to recognize by the English word below each combination. These vowel and consonant combinations remain the same regardless of origin, making it possible for non-fluent enthusiasts can achieve realistic pronunciation.
Other sites worth regarding:
- Best Online Keyboard of IPA symbols
- Slightly less helpful online Keyboard
- IPA Wikipedia - not for quoting, but helpful when trying to understand the basics
- Charis SIL Font (for typing in Microsoft Word, etc. for Free download)
- CPDL.org - a great method to find song text, translations and information in the Public Domain.
- www.IPASource.com