International Phonetic Association

International Phonetic Association
AbbreviationIPA
Formation1886; 138 years ago (1886)
FounderPaul Passy
TypePrivate company limited by guarantee
PurposeScientific study of phonetics
Headquarters24 Holborn Viaduct, London, England
Official language
None by law[1] English de facto[2]
President
Katerina Nicolaidis
Key people
Main organ
Journal of the International Phonetic Association
WebsiteInternational Phonetic Association

The International Phonetic Association (IPA; French: Association phonétique internationale, 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.[3][4]

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)[5] through its affiliate, the Permanent Council for the Organization of ICPhS.

  1. ^ "Statutes and By-Laws of the International Phonetic Association". International Phonetic Association.
  2. ^ The Journal of the International Phonetic Association is published in English since 1971. "Journal of the IPA".
  3. ^ About the Association
  4. ^ "The International Phonetic Association". Companies House.
  5. ^ IPA: Conferences