Learning how to say the alphabet backwards can be a challenging task at first, but after a little practice it becomes much easier and almost second nature.
Let’s start from the beginning, A is for Apple.
No, that’s not how it goes at all.
Let’s try again. Z is for Zip, oh yes!
That seems to be a nice example of learning how to say the alphabet backwards in just a matter of seconds.
One more time and with feeling: M is for Manya, no that’s not it either. You never know what you’re going to get when you try learning the alphabet backwards.
Learning how to spell the words backwards can be a daunting task at first, but after a little practice, they become much easier and almost second nature.
There are a couple tricks that will help you learn how to say the alphabet from A to Z all in a row.
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3 Methods to Learn Alphabets Backwards
Let me share you three different approaches that I have learned on the way to say the alphabet backwards.
Method I
First, is being sure of the order of the alphabet. By knowing exactly where each letter is going to fall, it will be easier for you to remember what comes after it and so on. This way when asked to say it backwards, you simply need to scan your mind from A all the way back to Z without having to reorder it.
Second, is looking at the alphabet as one big word. By thinking of all the letters in order, you can split them into syllables and remember them easier. A-B-C becomes ab-ce. D-E-F becomes de-ef. Just like that you’ve learned how to say the alphabet backwards.
Lastly, try singing the alphabet. No this isn’t for children, but there’s something about singing that makes music and language memorable. By saying the letters of the alphabet in order and putting a little melody to it, you’ll be surprised how fast you pick up on this fun fact.
When learning how to say the alphabet backwards, just remember to have fun with it. Chances are you’ll be asked again and again so keeping a short memory of this little task can definitely boost your self-esteem in knowing that you know something few others do.
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Method II
What are some other tricks for learning how to say the alphabet backwards?
The process of reciting the alphabet backwards is complicated because English doesn’t have any rules that govern letter reversal. Each letter follows its own set of rules.
Learning to say the alphabet backwards is a matter of first learning each letter’s corresponding sound and then associating that sound with a position in the alphabet.
That association should include whether a letter appears before or after “K”. For example, if you want to learn how to spell your name in reverse order, you first need to learn the name’s corresponding sounds, and then you need to remember that those same sounds appear in reverse order.
Once you’ve committed these associations to memory, saying your name in reverse order should be a snap.
When learning the alphabet backwards, it’s important to remember that some letters change sounds. A letter can either keep its original sound or change into another letter entirely. The following is a list of which letters signify an exchange between two different letters:
b = p
c = k
d = t
f = s
g = z
h = sh
j = ch
k = hard c (aitch)
l = tl
m = nn, mb
n = l or d plus L
r = l plus R
s = z plus ess sound
v becomes f or w, f always at end of word
w becomes v
y = sh plus i
z = s
Other letters that don’t follow a rule associated with a position in the alphabet are: w, x, and y. You may have to simply memorize what sounds they represent when put before or after other letters.
However, if you’re studying another language where these letters’ positions in the alphabet are different than in English, you need to learn what sounds they represent when reversed. All of these letters have foreign language equivalents that follow their own sets of rules.
The following is a list of letter pairs with an exchange between their sounds when put before or after other letters:
b/p (called “bee” in some dialects)
b/b (called “bay” in some dialects)
c/k (called “see” in some dialects)
d/t (called “deet” in some dialects)
g/j (called “gee” in some dialects)
ng = nn plus ng sound, called “ing”
th = t plus h sound (as in the and thin)
v/f (called “vee” in some dialects)
w/v (called double vee or “dubba bee”)
y/sh plus i, called “yesh”
x/cks plus ks sound, called “eeks”
z/s plus zh sound, called “zees”
These exchanges are the only rules governing letter reversal for English. Once you’ve committed to memory all of these letter reversals, saying your ABCs in reverse order should be a no-brainer.
Method III
Let’s explore our final trick for memorizing the English alphabets backwards.
- Start by saying the alphabet forwards
- Repeat this until you know it well enough to do it backwards
- Next, say the alphabet in reverse order, but don’t rush through it
- Finally, try saying the last letter of each word before moving on to the next word – for example “j” would be followed by “i” and so on…
- Keep practicing! This is a great way to improve your memory skills too!
- When you’re ready, use these tricks for learning how to say the alphabet backwards when reciting tongue twisters or riddles that include letters in reverse order, e.g., “What’s black and white and read all over?”
- In addition to being an excellent memory trick, learning how to say the alphabet backwards is also a good way to impress your friends!
FAQ
Conclusion
Knowing how to say the alphabet backwards is important because it’s not only a fun party trick, it also has practical applications. Knowing how to correctly spell your name in reverse order is one of these practical uses.
Learning the correct sounds associated with each letter will make getting started on this task easier. Once you’ve committed to memory all of these associations, saying your ABCs in reverse order should be a no-brainer.
You can check Wikipedia to know more about alphabets.
Just remember, the most important thing is to have a good time while learning how to say the alphabet backwards. After all, learning should be fun and never a chore.
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