The spelling of the word "McGlaughlin" is quite tricky, as the pronunciation of its letters does not match their expected sounds. According to the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), it is spelled /məˈɡlɔːklɪn/, with the "g" pronounced as a "k," and the "gh" as a silent letter. This surname is of Irish origin, and its spelling has likely undergone alterations due to Anglicization of Irish Gaelic spellings. The pronunciation of this surname should be careful as many speakers are likely to mispronounce it.