Sohn-yah can be phonetically spelled in several ways depending on the desired level of detail and the target audience's familiarity with phonetic alphabets. Here are a few options:

Option 1 (Simple): Son-yah

This is a straightforward approximation, easily understood by most English speakers. It captures the general sound without getting into nuanced phonetic details.

Option 2 (More Detailed - using IPA): /sɒnˈjɑː/

This uses the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), providing a precise representation of the pronunciation. However, it requires familiarity with the IPA system. /sɒn/ represents the "Sohn" part, with /sɒn/ representing a sound similar to "son" but with a slightly more open "o" sound. /ˈjɑː/ represents the "yah" part, with the stress marked by the apostrophe.

Option 3 (Detailed - using a simpler phonetic system): Sahn-yah

This option uses a simpler phonetic representation, aiming for clarity without the complexity of IPA. The "ah" sound in "Sahn" is a broader approximation than the /ɒ/ in the IPA version.

Option 4 (Considering regional variations):

The pronunciation of "Sohn-yah" might vary slightly depending on the speaker's regional accent or native language. For example, the "n" sound might be slightly more nasalized in some dialects. To account for this, further refinement might be needed based on the specific pronunciation being targeted. A user would need to specify the desired accent or dialect for a more accurate phonetic spelling.

Option 5 (Emphasis on Syllable Stress): SOHN-yah

This option explicitly highlights the stress on the first syllable. This is particularly helpful if the name is frequently mispronounced with the stress on the second syllable.

The best option depends on the context. For casual use, Option 1 or 3 might suffice. For academic or linguistic purposes, Option 2 is more precise. Option 5 is useful when stress is crucial for correct pronunciation. Option 4 highlights the need for specifying regional variations for the most accurate phonetic representation.