What does that IPA symbol stand for?

Hi teachers!
I would like to know what that "t" in italics mean in IPA. Please see the link below.
Cambridge Dictionary

In this case it means that an (inessential) [t] sometimes occurs between the /n/ and the /s/. (I'm not sure though whether it's strictly an IPA symbol.)

b

PS For a look at the mechanics, go to Phonetics: The sounds of American English, and click on the US flag. (Don't worry if you want British English; there's more difference in the vowels than in the consonants, and as far as /ns/ is concerned any difference is tiny.) Then click "nasal" and "n". Do the same for "fricative" and "s".

b

Thanks for your reply Bob but I haven't yet been able to understand whether to pronounce that "t" or not. Does that mean we have options. We can either pronounce it or leave it out?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dawoodusmani

Thanks for your reply Bob but I haven't yet been able to understand whether to pronounce that "t" or not. Does that mean we have options. We can either pronounce it or leave it out?

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Yes, that's correct. 'Answer' could be:

/'ænsə/
/'ɑnsə/

or the ones you gave with /t/.

I would say in narrow phonetic script, the examples from the link you gave is more an affrication of /t/ and /s/ - that is, they are pronounced so closely together that they are virtually one sound. /ʧ/ for example, is an affrication of /t/ and /ʃ/. Phoneticians don't agree whether this should indeed have its own symbol or not. There is a symbol in the IPA chart which allows affrication of any consonants - a bracket joining the two sounds. Thus, 'answer' should be:

/'ɑːnt͡sə/ - the affrication of the /t/ and /s/ is shown.

But yes, with or without the /t/.