FAQ

How do I copy the results line by line to Word?

For now “Side by side with English text” is your best option if you are going to copy it somewhere else. For best results you will have to break up the original text by lines though.

Why [r] instead of [ɹ]?

The website provides phonemic transcription. Since there is no rolling [r] sound in English language and therefore no confusion between the two, API recommends using ‘r’ for simplicity. Most dictionaries do just that.

Shouldn’t [t] between vowels be a flap [ɾ]?

The website is focusing on phonemic transcriptions, so this particular case is out of scope. On top of that, even if we limit this feature to NAmE, there are too many factors involved. There is just no exact phonological rule for whether the flapping will occur or not.

Can I download the speech audio?

Not at the moment. The speech you hear is generated by your browser, so potentially there might be extensions capturing browser’s audio, but you will have to search extension repository of the browser you are using for that.

Is there an API?

Not at the moment, although not ruled out in the future. We understand it’s a popular feature request, but we need to come up with some logistic solution for managing the server workload.

What is the source of the transcriptions?

American transcriptions were initially based on the Open Carnegie Mellon University Pronouncing Dictionary and this far didn’t deviate that much in relative terms. British transcriptions are backed by a proprietary database with years of corrections and updates to align it with existing modern conventions and actual usage of the language. We are grateful to our users flagging issues and otherwise drawing our attention to discrepancies in the results, thereby driving continuous improvement to the service.

How can I reference this website in my work?

“toPhonetics.com” is just fine or “toPhonetics.com (2013, Mu-Sonic Ltd)” if you need publishing details.

guest

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

80 Comments
Newest
Oldest
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Lea
Lea
25 days ago

When I click on other languages there isn’t german, why?

james howe
james howe
1 month ago

In your IPA transcription, can you place a space between phonetic syllables.

Ákimow
2 months ago

What does it mean when some of the IPA words show up in red or blue after they are translated? Also, such a great site! Thanks! By Ákimow

Emmanuel LEGRAND
Emmanuel LEGRAND
3 months ago

Hello, what signs or symbols should I use to obtain a longer or shorter silence between two words in the audio speech?
Thank you for your help.

Nina Ryan
Nina Ryan
4 months ago

Hello, can I use the phonetics of the English words for my book which I intend for commercial use?

Lianna
Lianna
2 months ago
Reply to  toPhonetics

Would it be possible to add a license or something to this website, which states that the tool can be used for commercial purposes? 🙂

Lianna
Lianna
2 months ago
Reply to  toPhonetics

Not resell access, but use the tool to create a pronunciation lexicon that we would save locally and use for our product.

Just wanting to know what’s possible and allowed! Thanks for the feedback.

Agata
Agata
6 months ago

why words show in red?

dino
dino
7 months ago

hi i think theres a problem with your website because it doesnt work when i click on the spanish tab and try to paste spanish text to get its phonetic transcription

also the audio remains in english

John
John
9 months ago

Hi there. Is it ok if I use this website in my android app?

Regiel Tapang
Regiel Tapang
10 months ago

Where can I transcribe English Words to the Indian English Accents please?

Randy
Randy
10 months ago

what does it mean when some of the IPA words show up in red or blue after they are translated? also, such a great site! thanks! Randy