ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Cursive forms of the International Phonetic Alphabet

Okay, so let's start by talking about the alphabet. You know your ABCs, right? Well, there's another alphabet that people use to talk about sounds. It's called the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA).

Now, sometimes people write the IPA using normal letters like the ones you use every day. But sometimes they use special cursive letters that are a little different. Cursive just means that the letters are connected together, like when you write in your notebook.

So, why do people use cursive letters for the IPA? Well, it's because they can be a little clearer and easier to read. Sometimes the normal letters can be a bit confusing, especially when things have lots of weird symbols and accents on them.

The cursive letters in the IPA look a bit like letters you already know, but they have some special twists and turns that make them different. For example, the cursive "a" looks a bit like a squished "e", and the cursive "g" has a little loop at the top.

Overall, the cursive forms of the IPA are just another way to write down sounds that people make when they talk. It might seem a bit complicated, but don't worry – with a little practice, you'll be able to understand it just fine!