1. A method for determining a compact model to transcribe a language acoustically based on well-defined basic phonetics, said method comprising: extracting phonetic information regarding said language; defining, based on said extracted information, phonological and phonetic units associated with said language; identifying variations in said language; developing a maximal set based on said defined phonological units, phonetic units, and identified variations in said language, and reducing said maximal set to a minimal set of phonemes and allophones, thereby providing for a compact model for acoustically transcribing said language.