The Phonetic Alphabet

The phonetic alphabet also known as the radiotelephony spelling alphabet has changed over time. There have been various different ones. In 1956 NATO developed the NATO Phonetic alphabet for use in battle between
allied countries. It is the one still used today.
The phonetic alphabet came about so that over a telephone, radio
or even a walkie - talkie each letter could be heard correctly. It is used by the police, army and other military services.
But it is also used by anyone giving details over the phone.
Sometimes lines are so unclear and this was particularly so years ago. Long distance made it difficult to hear lines could also be fuzzy, have
an echo or break up. So to make sure that any important information was correct it would be spelt out. For example the word web is whisky, echo and bravo. This way there is no confusion over p or b or m or n.
Before the phonetic alphabet there were others The R.A.F had their own and the British also had their own during the Second World War.

The R.A.F Phonetic Alphabet
A - AC B - Beer C - Charlie D - Don E - Edward F - Freddie G - George H - Harry I - Ink J - Johnnie K - King L - London M - Monkey N - Nuts O - Orange P - Pip Q - Queen R - Robert S - Sugar T - Toc U - Uncle V - Vic W - William X - X-ray Y - Yorker Z - Zebra

The Old Phonetic Alphabet
A - Able B - Baker C - Charlie D - Dog E - Easy F - Fox G - George H - How I - Item J - Jig K - King L - Love M - Mike N - Nan O - Oboe P - Peter Q -Queen R - Roger S - Sugar T - Tare U - Uncle V - Victor W - William X - X-ray Y - Yoke Z - Zebra

NATO Phonetic Alphabet
A - Alpha B - Bravo C - Charlie D - Delta E - Echo F - Foxtrot G - Golf H - Hotel I - India J - Juliet K - Kilo L - Lima M - Mike N - November O - Oscar P - Papa Q - Quebec R - Romeo S - Sierra T - Tango U - Uniform V - Victor W - Whisky X - X-ray Y - Yankee Z - Zulu
© Children's Web Magazine 2008