This book is, to some extent, a reference work uniting theory and description. It comprises four structured parts: Phonetics, Phonology, Tonology, and Specific African Sound Patterns. By means of concrete examples, the book describes and compares a wide range of basic and current issues and facts that are of utmost relevance for all persons working on language or linguistics as well as in related fields. The book provides core instruments needed and used in the study of phonology and phonological analyses. It discusses modern phonological theories. Phonological issues and processes, such as vowel harmony, assimilation, dissimilation, lenition, as well as fortition are explained. Prosodic topics, such as tone, stress, pitch, and intonation are considered. Issues in tonology include tonological analysis, tonal behaviour and rules. Special attention is given to specific sounds found in African languages.

Basics of Phonetics and English Phonology is a textbook for students of English, designed for students following BA foundation courses as no prior knowledge of linguistics is required. It provides students with a sound understanding of the principles of phonetics in general, but also with a special focus on English phonology. In addition, the exercises offer systematic practical training in IPA transcription. The book is designed for German non-native speakers of English, as specific difficulties in practical pronunciation are highlighted, but it can equally be used by any student interested in the mechanisms of spoken English. The transcription exercises at the end of each chapter are both in British and US American standard pronunciation.

Originally presented as the author's thesis (doctoral--Humboldt--Univ., 2008).

Success in mastering any language requires knowledge in speaking, reading, and writing the language. The speaking component requires the understanding and use of correct pronunciation, emphasis, and syntactic patterns. The written component requires mastery of the alphabet, spelling, and the ability to write, print, or type the pattern. Very early in the learning process, speakers of the English language become keenly aware of the language's lack of sound to symbol correspondence. To help speech/language researchers, media personnel, individuals learning English as a second language, and others interested in correct pronunciation, the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) was devised. Extensively class tested, this book offers a practical understanding approach to phonetics and the IPA in a workbook format. It will be welcomed by professionals, students, and trainees in the fields of communication science, communication disorders, speech pathology, and linguistics.

Introduction to Phonetics and Phonology: From Concepts to Transcription provides readers with a basic foundation in both phonetics and phonology. The book has two goals: the first is to connect phonetics and phonology into a conceptual unity and the second is to demonstrate the practical relevance of phonetics, phonology, and phonetic transcription for beginning students in communication disorders and related disciplines, such as linguistics or education. Written with an abundance of real-life examples, this first edition provides readers with a large base of information, from the basic definitions of phonetics and phonology to their practical, clinical applications when analyzing speech samples, demonstrating to future speech language practioners the interconnection between these two areas of of the field. The text's uniqueness lies in the continuous application of the presented information to practical examples, reinforcing to students the relevance of this knowledge to clinical practice while providing the instructor with practical examples which can be used to demonstrate basic principles. An important feature of this book is the inclusion of a phonetic transcription workbook. This workbook guides the student through a systematic learning process beginning with the identification of sounds within words, as opposed to letters, to transcribing multisyllabic words and short phrases. The process is a step-by-step one in which vowels and consonants are introduced in small groups, words are selected based on these sounds, followed by listening and transcription practice. Additional sounds are added systematically and each unit builds upon the next. The workbook will provide the student with many opportunities to learn phonetic transcription in an orderly process. Additional coverage includes: A brief overview of acoustic phonetics relative to the production features of vowels and consonants. An introduction to phonetic transcription to aid student understanding of the pertinence of phonetic transcription when one is gathering information about speech, and a detailed description of production features of vowels and consonants. This text will enable a beginning student to identify and classify each of the vowels and consonants of American English. A lengthy discussion of dialect that covers both popular and professional concepts about dialect as well as definitions of standard English, vernacular English, regional, and social/ethnic dialects. The chapter on dialects also covers vowl shifts and the most recent research on African American Vernacular English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Hmong, Cantonese, Korean, and Arabic. Coverage of coarticulation, assimilation, and suprasegmental or prosodic variations which occur in continuous speech. Diacritics are discussed in detail. Examples are given for each, drawing from practical, real-life examples. Unique coverage of three theoretical models of phonological development which address speech sound development in completely different ways. Most textbooks do not include phonological development or recent theoretical models such as the nonlinear approaches.

Written for students of linguistics, applied linguistics and speech therapy, this dictionary covers over 2,000 terms in phonetics and phonology. In addition to providing a comprehensive, yet concise, guide to an enormous number of individual terms, it also includes an explanation of the most important theoretical approaches to phonology. Its usefulness as a reference tool is further enhanced by the inclusion of pronunciations, notational devices and symbols, earliest sources of terms, suggestions for further reading, and advice with regard to usage. The wide range of topics explained include: * Classical phonology, including American Structuralism and the Prague School * Contemporary approaches, including Autosegmental Phonology, Metrical Phonology, Dependency Phonology, Government Phonology and Lexical Phonology * Prosodic ideas in phonology, both traditional and contemporary ^ * * historical phonology * Intonation and tonology This dictionary devotes space to the various theoretical approaches in proportion to their importance, but it concentrates most heavily on non-theory-bound descriptive terminology. It will remain a definitive reference for years to come.

This book examines some of the ways in which linguists can express what native speakers know about the sound system of their language. Intended for the absolute beginner, it requires no previous background in linguistics, phonetics or phonology. Starting with a grounding in phonetics and phonological theory, the book provides a base from which more advanced treatments may be approached. It begins with an examination of the foundations of articulatory and acoustic phonetics, moves on to the basic principles of phonology, and ends with an outline of some further issues within contemporary phonology. Varieties of English, particularly Received Pronunciation and General American, form the focus of consideration, but aspects of the phonetics and phonology of other languages are discussed as well. This new edition includes more discussion of Optimality Theory and a new glossary of terms. It has been updated throughout to take account of the latest developments in phonological theory, but without sacrificing the book's ease of use for beginners.