Looking for a certain word.

Hi all,

I'm looking for a certain word that I've overheard some years ago. Will you help me to remember it?

In the scene, a guy said, "Japanese is **** but English is not." What he meant is, In Japanese, it is possible to know how to spell by hearing the sound, but this is not possible in English so that English is not ****.

Like, I am Japanese and we don't have to ask "how do you spell you name?" even if someone's name is very peculiar, unfamiliar one. But in English, I believe, this is not the case sometimes.

So, does anyone have any idea for the word? even your guess would be appreciated.

Thanks,
M