The spelling of the name "Nicholsen" can be confusing because of the silent "h" in the middle. In IPA phonetic transcription, the name is pronounced /ˈnɪkəlsən/. The "k" sound comes before the "l" sound, followed by a short "ə" sound. The silent "h" breaks up the flow of the word, serving only as a marker for the origin of the name. When writing or pronouncing "Nicholsen," it's important to remember the unusual placement of the "k" sound in relation to the "l."