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Written letters may correspond to a number of different sounds - or to no sound at all! But symbols represent the same sound.

Some symbols are familiar and easy to recognise (p, b, t, d, etc.), others are less easy (ə, ð, θ, ŋ etc.)

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Stress

Have a look at two words: above and under. Both the words have two syllables.

In the word above the first syllable is relatively short and weak, while the second syllable is strong and long - the second syllable is stressed: [ə´bʌv]

In the word under, by contrast, it is the first syllable that is relatively strong and long and is stressed: [´ʌndə]

Most two-syllable nouns and adjectives have front stress.

Most two-syllable verbs have end stress.