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JSRU transcription system

JSRU transcription system

In our research, we employ a machine readable transcription system instead of the standard IPA symbols which cannot be easily understood by computers. The JSRU (Joint Speech Research Unit) alphabet is a system developed for text-to-speech synthesis.
 

  • The two main categories of sounds are consonants and vowels - go to the chart of the IPA sounds to find out more.
  • Translation table of JSRU and SAMPA (another machine readable alphabet).

Consonants (IPA symbols are given if different from JSRU symbols)

JSRUIPAExampleExample
  (word initial)(non-initial)
    
p(same)penlip
b(same)badnib
t(same)tealight
d(same)dolad
k(same)catcrack
g(same)gotfog
ch(IPA)chinwatch
j(IPA)Junevillage
f(same)foodoff
v(same)voicegive
th(IPA)thintenth
dh(IPA)thenwith
s(same)samesuccess
z(same)zoowas
sh(IPA)showwash
zh(IPA)genrebeige
h(same)happybehave
m(same)manswim
n(same)knowgone
ng(IPA)N/Asing
l(same)leggirl
r(IPA)redarrow
y(IPA)yearvalue
w(same)wetquick
x(IPA)N/Aloch (Scottish)
gx(IPA)no exampleglottal stop

Extra JSRU symbols for Spanish Consonants

JSRUIPAExampleRemarks
bh(IPA)haba 
mg(IPA)confuso 
gn(IPA)año 
ly(IPA)llover(ll)
xhxjulio(j)
jh(IPA)nietocan use y which is similar
gh(IPA)rogar 
rx(IPA)perro(Spanish 'dog') Trilled 'r'
rc(IPA)pero(Spanish 'but') Tapped or flapped 'r'

Extra JSRU symbols for German Consonants

JSRUIPAExampleRemarks
cx(IPA)ich 
rh(IPA)ragtuvular fricative
pf Pfandaffricate
tc zahlaffricate

Vowels and Diphthongs

JSRUIPAExample
i(IPA)sit
o(IPA)got
oo(IPA)put
aa(IPA)hat
e(IPA)ten
u(IPA)cup
a(IPA)ago
ee/ey(IPA)see
aw(IPA)saw
uu(IPA)too
ar(IPA)arm
er(IPA)fur
ai(IPA)page
ie(IPA)eye
oi(IPA)boy
oa(IPA)home
ou(IPA)now
ia(IPA)beer
ei(IPA)bare
ur(IPA)tour

Extra JSRU symbols for German Vowels

JSRUIPAExampleRemarks
oe(IPA)Hölleshort vowel
ue(IPA)Tüttelshort vowel
ay(IPA)tatzeshort vowel
oy(IPA)Toppshort vowel
ea(IPA)Teelong vowel
ow(IPA)totlong vowel
uy(IPA)Tütelong vowel
or(IPA)tötenlong vowel
eu(IPA)Leutediphthong
ae(IPA)bittershort vowel
eo(IPA)Endeshort vowel
ew(IPA)ähnlichlong vowel

**Note that extra symbols will be needed for transcribing other languages