The International Phonetic Association (IPA; French: Association phonétique internationale [asɔsjɑsjɔ̃ fɔnetik ɛ̃tɛʁnɑsjɔnal], API) is an organization that promotes the scientific study of phonetics and the various practical applications of that science. The IPA's major contribution to phonetics is the International Phonetic Alphabet—a notational standard for the phonetic representation of all languages. The acronym IPA refers to both the association and the alphabet. On 30 June 2015, it was incorporated as a British private company limited by guarantee.
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| Abbreviation | IPA |
|---|---|
| Formation | 1886 |
| Founder | Paul Passy |
| Type | Private company limited by guarantee |
| Purpose | Scientific study of phonetics |
| Headquarters | 24 Holborn Viaduct, London, England |
Official language | None by lawEnglish de facto |
President | Katerina Nicolaidis |
Key people |
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Main organ | Journal of the International Phonetic Association |
| Website | International Phonetic Association |
The IPA also oversees the Journal of the International Phonetic Association, published by Cambridge University Press, whose articles include descriptions of languages as well as other topics in phonetics. In addition, it arranges for the quadrennial International Congress of Phonetic Sciences (ICPhS) through its affiliate, the Permanent Council for the Organization of ICPhS.
Early history
In 1886, a small group of language teachers in Paris formed an association to encourage the use of phonetic notation in schools to help children acquire realistic pronunciations of foreign languages and also to aid in teaching reading to young children. The group, led by Paul Passy, called itself initially Dhi Fonètik Tîtcerz' Asóciécon (the FTA). In January 1889, the name of the Association was changed to L'Association Phonétique des Professeurs de Langues Vivantes (AP), and, in 1897, to L'Association Phonétique Internationale (API)—in English, the International Phonetic Association (IPA). The IPA's early peak of membership and influence in education circles was around 1914, when there were 1751 members in 40 countries. World War I and its aftermath severely disrupted the Association's activities, and the Journal did not resume regular publication until 1922.
Development of the Alphabet
The group's initial aim was to create a set of phonetic symbols to which different articulations could apply, such that each language would have an alphabet particularly suited to describe the sounds of the language. Eventually it was decided that a universal alphabet, with the same symbol being used for the same sound in different languages was the ideal. The first prototype of the International Phonetic Alphabet appeared in Phonetic Teachers' Association (1888), and its development progressed rapidly up to the turn of the 20th century. Since then, there have been several sets of changes to the Alphabet, with additions and deletions that the progress of the science of phonetics has indicated.
Examinations
The IPA also has given examinations in phonetics since 1908, awarding Certificates of Proficiency in the phonetics of English, French, or German.
See also
- List of phonetics topics
- Language reform
References
- "Statutes and By-Laws of the International Phonetic Association". International Phonetic Association.
- The Journal of the International Phonetic Association is published in English since 1971. "Journal of the IPA".
- About the Association
- "The International Phonetic Association". Companies House.
- IPA: Conferences
Further reading
- International Phonetic Association. (1999). Handbook of the International Phonetic Association: A guide to the use of the International Phonetic Alphabet. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
- Phonetic Teachers' Association (1888). "aur rivàizd ælfəbit" [Our revised alphabet]. The Phonetic Teacher. 3 (7–8): 57–60. JSTOR 44701189.
External links
- Official website
The International Phonetic Association IPA French Association phonetique internationale asɔsjɑsjɔ fɔnetik ɛ tɛʁnɑsjɔnal API is an organization that promotes the scientific study of phonetics and the various practical applications of that science The IPA s major contribution to phonetics is the International Phonetic Alphabet a notational standard for the phonetic representation of all languages The acronym IPA refers to both the association and the alphabet On 30 June 2015 it was incorporated as a British private company limited by guarantee International Phonetic AssociationAbbreviationIPAFormation1886 139 years ago 1886 FounderPaul PassyTypePrivate company limited by guaranteePurposeScientific study of phoneticsHeadquarters24 Holborn Viaduct London EnglandOfficial languageNone by lawEnglish de factoPresidentKaterina NicolaidisKey peopleDaniel JonesPeter LadefogedMain organJournal of the International Phonetic AssociationWebsiteInternational Phonetic Association The IPA also oversees the Journal of the International Phonetic Association published by Cambridge University Press whose articles include descriptions of languages as well as other topics in phonetics In addition it arranges for the quadrennial International Congress of Phonetic Sciences ICPhS through its affiliate the Permanent Council for the Organization of ICPhS Early historyIn 1886 a small group of language teachers in Paris formed an association to encourage the use of phonetic notation in schools to help children acquire realistic pronunciations of foreign languages and also to aid in teaching reading to young children The group led by Paul Passy called itself initially Dhi Fonetik Titcerz Asociecon the FTA In January 1889 the name of the Association was changed to L Association Phonetique des Professeurs de Langues Vivantes AP and in 1897 to L Association Phonetique Internationale API in English the International Phonetic Association IPA The IPA s early peak of membership and influence in education circles was around 1914 when there were 1751 members in 40 countries World War I and its aftermath severely disrupted the Association s activities and the Journal did not resume regular publication until 1922 Development of the AlphabetThe group s initial aim was to create a set of phonetic symbols to which different articulations could apply such that each language would have an alphabet particularly suited to describe the sounds of the language Eventually it was decided that a universal alphabet with the same symbol being used for the same sound in different languages was the ideal The first prototype of the International Phonetic Alphabet appeared in Phonetic Teachers Association 1888 and its development progressed rapidly up to the turn of the 20th century Since then there have been several sets of changes to the Alphabet with additions and deletions that the progress of the science of phonetics has indicated ExaminationsThe IPA also has given examinations in phonetics since 1908 awarding Certificates of Proficiency in the phonetics of English French or German See alsoList of phonetics topics Language reformReferences Statutes and By Laws of the International Phonetic Association International Phonetic Association The Journal of the International Phonetic Association is published in English since 1971 Journal of the IPA About the Association The International Phonetic Association Companies House IPA ConferencesFurther readingInternational Phonetic Association 1999 Handbook of the International Phonetic Association A guide to the use of the International Phonetic Alphabet Cambridge Cambridge University Press Phonetic Teachers Association 1888 aur rivaizd aelfebit Our revised alphabet The Phonetic Teacher 3 7 8 57 60 JSTOR 44701189 External linksOfficial website
