The spelling of the word "DIAO" may seem unusual to English speakers, but it accurately reflects its pronunciation. In IPA phonetic transcription, "DIAO" is spelled /diːaʊ/. The "di" sound is represented by the "d" and "i" letters, while the "aʊ" sound is represented by the "a" and "o" letters. This combination creates a unique sound that does not correspond directly to any one letter in English. Understanding the IPA transcription can help with correctly pronouncing and spelling unfamiliar words.