Dictionary is showing strange characters when "US English (IPA)" is selected
I also see |"br{k@t| when viewing bracket with US English IPA on a local Snow Leopard installation.

But, it is not a problem displaying the IPA characters themselves. Other words that shared those mis-transcribed vowel sounds are displayed correctly:


bracket |"br{k@t|
brackish |ˈbrækɪʃ|
bran |bræn|
kit |kɪt|


My guess it that there is just an error in the US English IPA transcription for bracket.