How is nasalization represented in IPA?

Nasalization is represented in the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) by placing a tilde over the vowel. This diacritic indicates that the vowel is produced with a nasal resonance, which occurs when the velum is lowered, allowing air to flow out through the nose as well as the mouth. This is particularly important in languages where nasalized vowels can change the meaning of words, illustrating the function of nasalization in phonetic transcription.

The tilde is a clear and standardized symbol used in phonetical notation to convey that specific nasal features are present, making it essential for accurately representing sounds in various languages. Understanding this notation is key for anyone studying phonetics, as it informs proper pronunciation and transcription practices.