Not all dictionaries employ the same set of diacritical marks (the name given to symbols used with the letters to indicate their sound). All dictionaries, however, print a key to pronunciation, a shortened form of which often appears at the top or bottom of every page as an aid to quick reference. This key will be a time saver. You should know where it is in your dictionary and how to use it.
To determine from the dictionary the pronunciation of each word, you must understand the symbols used. Dictionary makers have respelled most word phonetically, or according to their sounds. This phonetics is placed immediately after the word; for example, “phonetic” / netik / and “column” / ko /.