A phonetic alphabet is a system that represents the sounds of speech with symbols or letters. It helps in accurately conveying pronunciation, especially for languages with complex sound systems. For example, the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) is widely used by linguists to transcribe spoken language. Phonetic alphabets are also used in various fields, such as aviation and military communication, to avoid misunderstandings. The NATO phonetic alphabet, which includes words like "Alpha" for "A" and "Bravo" for "B," ensures clarity over radio transmissions, especially in noisy environments.