The spelling of the word "matlo" is phonetic and can be represented using IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription as /ˈmætləʊ/. The first syllable is pronounced with the short "a" sound, followed by the "t" sound and the long "o" sound. The final syllable is pronounced with the short "u" sound and the "l" sound, with a silent "e". Despite its unusual spelling, "matlo" is a recognized word in some African languages referring to a type of fish found in African rivers.