Language of the Day: Nato Phonetic Alphabet
Today we’'ll look at the Nato Phonetic Alphabet which is still used to clarify the correct spelling of words!
The International Radiotelephony Spelling Alphabet or simply the Radiotelephony Spelling Alphabet, commonly known as the NATO phonetic alphabet, is the most widely used set of clear-code words for communicating the letters of the Roman alphabet. It’s known as a spelling alphabet.
It was devised in the late 19th century as a standard written representation for the sounds of speech. It’s often used to clarify the correct spelling of words over the phone. Although we may not use it everyday, almost everyone has been in a situation where they’re speaking with someone over the phone or in-person and are having difficulty either understanding or being understood. English-learners may also find it useful to help with pronunciation barriers.
For example, if you call the doctor’s office to make an appointment and you tell the receptionist your name, they might ask you for the spelling. Certain letters which can sound similar such as “V” and “B” may have to be clarified and you would have to find a way to distinguish them. A person might say, “My name is Eva. It’s spelled EVA. E. V as in Victor. A.”
Here is the full list of the most commonly used NATO alphabet. Some people even create their own! “Hi my name was misspelled on the form. My name starts with an M, not an N. M as in March, not N as in Night.” Even if you don’t have to use the NATO Phonetic Alphabet, it’s valuable to have a general understanding of it.
