Final answer:
When using characters and symbols in an alphabet besides English, they are used to represent specific sounds or concepts.
Step-by-step explanation:
When using characters and symbols in an alphabet besides English, the general rule is that they are used to represent specific sounds or concepts. Just like in the English alphabet, these symbols convey meanings when combined. For example, in Mandarin Chinese, there are over 8,000 characters that represent different concepts, and the same character may symbolize different things depending on the tone used.
Additionally, when transliterating names from other languages, experts may choose different systems, like using the pinyin system for Chinese names in English text.