0
Coachpotato Posted 21 years ago
Vocabulary
SPELLING
Hi!
I work as a secretary and I sometimes have to spell names on the telephone. Sometimes it's difficult to understand some letters which are pronnounced in a similar way so it's usual to include a word which begins with that letter. I know there's an international list to spell words, for example I think the word for 'A' is 'Alfa'. But in Spanish when we spell a word we normally say the name of a city or country, for example: 'A' de Argentina, 'B' de Barcelona, and so on.
What do people from English speaking countries do? Is there a set list you normally use? And another question, do you say: 'A' from/of Argentina?
I work as a secretary and I sometimes have to spell names on the telephone. Sometimes it's difficult to understand some letters which are pronnounced in a similar way so it's usual to include a word which begins with that letter. I know there's an international list to spell words, for example I think the word for 'A' is 'Alfa'. But in Spanish when we spell a word we normally say the name of a city or country, for example: 'A' de Argentina, 'B' de Barcelona, and so on.
What do people from English speaking countries do? Is there a set list you normally use? And another question, do you say: 'A' from/of Argentina?
Top answer
You say A for Alpha (or whatever). Yes there is an official list but most people don't know it all (I know F for Foxtrot but that's about it). Most people just think of something on the spot A for Apple, etc.
- You say A for Alpha (or whatever).
- Yes there is an official list but most people don't know it all (I know F for Foxtrot but that's about it).
- Most people just think of something on the spot A for Apple, etc.
- First names seem to be a popular choice for a lot of letters, A for Adam, B for Bertie, C for Charlie, F for Freddy, etc.
- I wouldn't worry too much about what you pick as long as it is clear.
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
11 Answers
0
You say A for Alpha (or whatever).
Yes there is an official list but most people don't know it all (I know F for Foxtrot but that's about it). Most people just think of something on the spot A for Apple, etc. First names seem to be a popular choice for a lot of letters, A for Adam, B for Bertie, C for Charlie, F for Freddy, etc. I wouldn't worry too much about what you pick as lo
Yes there is an official list but most people don't know it all (I know F for Foxtrot but that's about it). Most people just think of something on the spot A for Apple, etc. First names seem to be a popular choice for a lot of letters, A for Adam, B for Bertie, C for Charlie, F for Freddy, etc. I wouldn't worry too much about what you pick as lo
00
0
Here it is:
Alpha, Bravo, Charly, Delta, Echo, Fox(trot), Golf, Hotel, India, Juliette, Kilo, Lima, Mike, November, Oscar, Papa, Quebec, Romeo, Sierra, Tango, Uniform, Victor, Whisky, X-ray, Yankee, Zoulou.
It's used by airplane pilots, otherwise, you can use any word as long as it's clear, as Nona says
Alpha, Bravo, Charly, Delta, Echo, Fox(trot), Golf, Hotel, India, Juliette, Kilo, Lima, Mike, November, Oscar, Papa, Quebec, Romeo, Sierra, Tango, Uniform, Victor, Whisky, X-ray, Yankee, Zoulou.
It's used by airplane pilots, otherwise, you can use any word as long as it's clear, as Nona says
00
0
You know I've never seen the whole list before.
That explains why a popular show in the UK about a policewoman was called Juliette Bravo. I never watched it but assumed it was her name. Or perhaps it was and this was a joke I missed!
That explains why a popular show in the UK about a policewoman was called Juliette Bravo. I never watched it but assumed it was her name. Or perhaps it was and this was a joke I missed!
00
Maybe JB might have had an additional meaning in her case? 
You know, I simply googled for the list...
You know, I simply googled for the list...00
Another question, is it possible to say 'L as in Lima', as well as 'L for Lima'?
And how do you pronounce Lima /ai/ or /i:/
And how do you pronounce Lima /ai/ or /i:/
00
0
Nona The BritYou know I've never seen the whole list before.I think the character's name was Kate something-or-other, and JB was her radio ID.
That explains why a popular show in the UK about a policewoman was called Juliette Bravo. I never watched it but assumed it was her name. Or perhaps it was and this was a joke I missed!
The
00
"L as in Lima" is preferred in the U.S., as far as I know from my experience as a native speaker.
CJ
CJ
0
Related Questions