The spelling of the word "cogdell" can be explained using IPA phonetic transcription as /kɒdʒdɛl/. The first syllable is pronounced with a hard "c" sound as in "cat" followed by the "o" sound as in "got". The second syllable has a soft "g" sound as in "gym" and the "d" sound is pronounced as in "day". The final syllable has a short "e" sound as in "pet" followed by the "l" sound as in "bell".