This post was originally published on May 16, 2023
The latest update to this post was made 10 months ago.

The Phonetic Alphabet was created to help people communicate more effectively in situations where there may be language barriers or other communication challenges. The alphabet consists of 26 letters, each one corresponding to a specific word.  One of the key benefits of using the Phonetic Alphabet is that it eliminates confusion caused by regional accents or different pronunciations of words. By using standardized symbols for each sound, speakers can communicate more clearly and effectively with one another.

The origins of the Phonetic Alphabet can be traced back to the International Radiotelegraph Convention in 1927.  At this conference, it was recognized that there was a need for an international standard for communicating over radio and telegraph systems.  Since the first publication of the International Radiotelegraph Alphabet in 1928, there have only been a few minor changes to the alphabet. 

This alphabet is used in almost all modern forms of communication, including computer software, satellites, digital telecommunications, ham radio operators, CB operators and in the military.  In order to create this standard, researchers developed the alphabet as we know it today: