l-m-n-o part in the normal alphabet song. Pronunciation of "Z" In the dialects spoken in most English-speaking countries, including the United Kingdom, the letter name for Z is pronounced /zɛd/ (Zed); although in American English, the dialect in mind by the composer, the letter is more commonly pronounced /ziː/ (Zee). In dialects which use the Zed pronunciation, the absent Zee-rhyme is generally not missed, although whilst singing the song, some children may accommodate for Zee which they would otherwise not use on a regular basis. Variants of the song exist to accommodate the Zed pronunciation. One variation shortens the second line and lengthens the last, to form a near rhyme between N and Zed: a-b-c-d-e-f-g h-i-j-k-l-m-n o-p-q-r-s-t-u v-w-x-y-z(ed) French Canadian version A French-language version of the song is also taught in Canada, with generally no alterations to the melody except in the final line that requires adjustment to accommodate the two-syllable pronunciation of the French y. Phonics songs Because the English language has more than 40 sounds and only 26 letters, children and beginning readers also need to learn the different sounds (or phonemes) associated with each letter. Many songs have been written to teach phonemic awareness and they are usually referred to as alphabet songs. Acrostic songs There are also songs that go through the alphabet, making some of the letters stand for something in the process. An example, "'A' You're Adorable" (also known as "The Alphabet Love Song"), was recorded in 1948, by Buddy Kaye, Fred Wise, Sidney Lippman, and later Perry Como. A newer example of this is from the musical Matilda. "School Song" is an acrostic that spells out the alphabet phonetically. Backwards song (Verse 2) The group Wee Sing released an alphabet song with the letters in reverse order, called "ZYXs". The Canadian children's TV series The Big Comfy Couch used a version of the song in the first episode of Season 4, "Backwards". Comedian Soupy Sales released a song in 1966 called "Backwards Alphabet" which contained the reverse alphabet in lyrical style. The original version of the song was performed by actress Judi Rolin with the Smothers Brothers in the 1966 teleplay adaptation of Alice Through the Looking Glass. See also Traditional alphabet songs in other languages "A Haka Mana" recites the syllabary of the Māori language to the tune of Stupid Cupid "Alef-Bet" by Debbie Friedman, a song commonly used in American Hebrew