Pronunciation: [mˈɑːmɐ] (IPA) 
The spelling of the word "mama" is phonetic, as it is spelled in a way that reflects the sounds of the word. The IPA phonetic transcription for "mama" is /ˈmɑːmə/, where the first "m" is nasal and the second "m" is a bilabial stop. The vowel sound is "a" as in "car", and the final "a" is pronounced as a schwa sound. This spelling is consistent with English language conventions and makes "mama" easy to pronounce and recognize.
Mama is a noun that refers to the informal term used to address or refer to one's mother. It is a universal term used in various cultures and languages around the world to address the female parent or caregiver. The word conveys affection, familiarity, and endearment towards one's mother figure.
The term "mama" is often one of the first words infants learn to utter when beginning to speak. It is a simplified and easily pronounceable version of the word "mother" that is instinctively used by babies to call out to their mother for attention, care, or comfort.
In addition to being used by young children, "mama" can also be employed by adults when addressing or referring to their own mother as a sign of intimacy, love, and respect. The term can evoke a sense of warmth and nostalgia, symbolizing the lifelong bond with one's mother.
Outside the immediate family context, "mama" can sometimes be used more broadly to refer to a woman who takes on a nurturing role, similar to that of a mother. This usage highlights the caring, protective, and nurturing qualities associated with mothers, regardless of the biological relationship.
Overall, "mama" represents a simple yet powerful word that encapsulates the special and unique relationship between a child and their mother, affirming the deep emotional connection and love shared between them.
A familiar word for mother used by all ranks above the lowest-often contracted into mam, or ma.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "mama" originates from the early 18th century, and it is believed to be a reduplication of the word "ma". "Ma" itself is found in many languages, including English, and is one of the simplest and most universal words for "mother". This reduplication is also widely observed in many other languages, such as "mama" in Spanish, "maman" in French, "mamma" in Italian, "mama" in Russian, and "mütter" in German. The repetition of the "ma" sound emphasizes and reinforces the affectionate and intimate nature of the word.
