Pinyin /?p?n.ji?n/ (simplified Chinese: ??; traditional Chinese: ??; pinyin: p?ny?n; "spelled sounds") is the romanization of the Mandarin Chinese phonetic transcription system of using latin alphabet letters. It an indicative sounds of Chinese characters that guide the learner on the correct pronunciation of a word. It consists of 26 letters each with individualized pronunciation guidelines and four tone marks (flat-rising-falling falling) that determine a pitch. Learning Pinyin is a requirement for learning Mandarin, using dictionaries, writing on computers and more importantly — practicing accurate pronunciation. It is a comprehensive bridge connecting English speakers with Chinese alphabet name language that renders character learning systematic and accessible to international students around the world.