The spelling of the word "Hankerson" is straightforward when using International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) phonetic transcription. The word's initial sound is represented by /h/ (as in "hat"), followed by the long /æ/ vowel sound (as in "cat"). The next syllable is /ŋk/ (as in "tank"), and the final syllable is /ərsən/ (as in "person"). Thus, Hankerson is spelled as it sounds: /ˈhæŋkərsən/. Phonetic transcription is useful in ensuring accurate pronunciation of words, especially for non-native speakers.