Memorize English Phonetic Spelling With Me
When I’m listening to the radio, the hosts and advertisers often rattle off website addresses so quickly that I can’t figure out what they said.
You may have experienced the same problem during phone conversations, when spelling a name or address.
Whenever this happens to me, I guess at a word to substitute for the letter. And I end up sounding stupid when I say things like, “P is for… er… potato. Or is it panda?… or preposition?
I’ve decided it’s time to memorize the English Phonetic Spelling (also called the NATO Phonetic Alphabet). A phonetic alphabet is a list of spoken words substituted for letters of the English alphabet. It helps prevent confusion between similar-sounding letters (m and n) and to clarify potentially garbled transmission.
If you don’t already have this list memorized, I invite you to join me in this quest. Someone suggested to start by spelling your name, than your company or address. Soon, you’ll know the whole alphabet!
I’m starting with my first name, Laura: Lima Alpha Uniform Romeo Alpha
English Phonetic Spelling (Print and carry it with you)
A Alpha
B Bravo
C Charlie
D Delta
E Echo
F Foxtrot
G Golf
H Hotel
I India
J Juliet
K Kilo
L Lima
M Mike
N November
O Oscar
P Papa
Q Quebec
R Romeo
S Sierra
T Tango
U Uniform
V Victor
W Whisky
X X-ray
Y Yankee
Z Zulu
Anyone have other great memory devices to share?
Here is how I do it.
1) Groups of four
2) Make up a crazy sentence for each group.
3) Of course, the Yankees – just SUCK!
Bravo for Charlie, he flew on Delta instead of Alpha.
I heard the echo of a foxtrot from my hotel as I played golf.
Juliet bought a Kilo of Lima beans from India.
Mike’s papa won an Oscar in November.
Romeo and Sierra did the tango in Quebec.
Victor’s x-ray showed whisky on his uniform.
Hey Zulu, the Yankees, they just SUCK!
Aaah… it took me a while to figure out what you're doing. That's a good way to memorize the phonetic alphabet — make up zany sentences that contain the letter names. Memorizing them in groups of four makes it easy. If I wasn't already married, I'd marry you!
Aaah… it took me a while to figure out what you're doing. That's a good way to memorize the phonetic alphabet — make up zany sentences that contain the letter names. Memorizing them in groups of four makes it easy. If I wasn't already married, I'd marry you!