For example, take the number 9520. Let's imagine that it is your PIN for a credit or debit card. You need to remember the number but, for obvious security reasons, you don't wish to keep a written record of it.

In order to transpose 9520 into a word, you simply transpose the digits to letters one by one, then join those consonant sounds together using any suitable vowels. The consonant phonetic sounds in the number 9520 translate as follows :

 9 transposes to p or b
  5 transposes to l
  2 transposes to n
  0 transposes to s, z, or soft c

This gives us several possible words which can be formed from these letters,
using any 'filler' vowels you choose. Some examples are :

  balloons (b-a-ll-oo-n-s)      (double letters count as one sound
            9   5     2 0                    except where they make two sounds)

  pylons   (p-y-l-o-n-s)
            9   5   2 0

  balance  (b-a-l-a-n-ce)
            9   5   2 0

But how do you connect the word 'balloons' to your PIN number ? Easy - you simply form a mental association between balloons and your card, or between ballons and the cash dispensing machine. For example, picture yourself inserting your card into a cash dispensing machine, and billions of balloons fly out of the machine and hit you in the face.

Once you have made that ludicrous association in your mind's eye you won't forget it - try it and see ! Once you remember 'balloons' it must lead you back to your PIN number - 9520. If you have a card with a PIN, try it now, with your own number. Form a word from the number, then associate it in your mind's eye to a cash dispensing machine. Remember to make the association as ridiculous as possible. Do that right now, before reading any further.

There are two main pitfalls to avoid when learning how to apply the Phonetic Alphabet - transposing according to letter rather than sounds, and counting a double letter as two sounds instead of one. Always remember that it is the sounds that count, not the actual spelling.

For example, the letter s in the word television transposes to 6, not zero - the 's' makes a soft 'sh' sound. Similarly, the letter t in the word audition transposes to 6, not 1.

The double letter 't' in the word 'matter' transposes to 1, not 11. However, a double letter can sometimes make two sounds, in which case both sounds count. For example the double 'c' in the word 'accident' would transpose to 70, because the sound produced is 'ks', as in 'axe'.

Finally, note that silent letters do not count phonetically, because they make no sound. So the word 'knight' would transpose to 21, not 721 - the silent 'k' is not counted.

In order to become really adept at translating numbers into words and vice-versa, you will need some practice. Try the following exercise to test yourself. When you are consistently getting all the rules answers right, you should never have problems with memorising a PIN again ! Press the Start button to begin.