What is meant by a "phonetically transcribed" speech sample?

A "phonetically transcribed" speech sample refers to the process of using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) symbols to accurately represent the specific sounds produced in speech. By using IPA, phonetic transcription captures the nuances of pronunciation, including variations in vowel and consonant sounds, stress patterns, and intonation. This level of detail is critical for speech analysis, as it allows for precise communication about how words are articulated, which can vary significantly among individuals and within different languages or dialects.

Other methods of transcription, such as writing in everyday language or focusing solely on grammatical structures, do not provide the depth of sound representation that phonetic transcription does. Additionally, narrative forms do not capture the phonetic details that are essential for understanding the acoustic and articulatory aspects of speech. Thus, relying on IPA ensures that the transcription remains a reliable and detailed account of how speech sounds are produced.