1. American English pronunciation of "Asia" is [ˈeɪʒə,].
2. The American Phonetic Symbols, also known as K.K. Phonetic Symbols, were created by John S. Kenyon and Thomas A. Knott. They compiled a dictionary of American English pronunciation based on the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) and used symbols specific to American English, including unique rhotic sounds, resulting in the American English K.K. Phonetic Symbols. This set of symbols is the most commonly used and authoritative phonetic notation and is widely recognized as the standard for American English pronunciation.
3. The main difference between the K.K. Phonetic Symbols and the International Phonetic Alphabet is that while the International Phonetic Alphabet was designed to transcribe the pronunciation of various languages worldwide, some people mistakenly believe it is only used for British English. This misunderstanding incorrectly suggests that the International Phonetic Alphabet can only be used for British English, and that K.K. Phonetic Symbols are not part of the International Phonetic Alphabet. However, this is not true. The International Phonetic Alphabet, as its name suggests, was created to transcribe the pronunciation of various languages internationally. Many linguists have made local modifications to the International Phonetic Alphabet to transcribe the languages they study, resulting in many variations of the International Phonetic Alphabet.
4. When it comes to learning British English or American English, learning American English is generally more useful. Firstly, there is a wealth of learning materials available for American English, such as audio resources and TV series. While both British and American English pronunciations are available in many dictionary resources, sentences are typically recorded in American English. Many actors in American TV series have very standard American English pronunciation, making it clear and easy to learn from. In contrast, British TV series feature various accents, making it difficult to find consistent models for learning British English.
5. Another advantage of learning American English first is that it is relatively easy to switch to British English once you have mastered it. American English is characterized by its rhotic sounds, which are more difficult to pronounce than the non-rhotic sounds in British English. Therefore, for Chinese learners, switching from American English to British English is relatively straightforward after some practice. However, it is nearly impossible to switch from British English to American English once you have mastered it. This difficulty is similar to that faced by Chinese speakers from the south when learning Mandarin Chinese. While you may be aware of the rhotic sounds, it can be challenging to make the correct pronunciation in practice without specific training. Learning Mandarin typically takes several years of training. Switching from British English to American English also requires starting over and rigorous practice, which few can accomplish.
