What Is Phonetics and Why It Matters in Learning English
Phonetics is the science of how we produce and perceive sounds. For English learners, understanding phonetics is like unlocking a secret code to accurate pronunciation. It explains why bit and beat sound different even though they share similar letters.
Learning IPA symbols (International Phonetic Alphabet) can be a game changer. Once you know these symbols, you can read the pronunciation of any English word, even unfamiliar ones. This knowledge helps you train your mouth to move the right way and your ears to catch subtle sound differences.
Phonetics also builds listening skills. When you know how sounds are made, you’ll recognize accents and variations more easily. You’ll notice that English rhythm and stress patterns depend heavily on sound length and pitch.