Cambridge Language & Linguistics   View basketHelp
Home > Humanities & Social Sciences > Language & Linguistics > Cambridge Introductions to Language and Linguistics > Introducing Phonetic Science
Introducing Phonetic Science

Introducing Phonetic Science

Michael Ashby, John Maidment

March 2005 | 247 x 147mm

220pp | 82 figures

0 521 80882 0 | Hardback

0 521 00496 9 | Paperback

Introducing Phonetic Science

MICHAEL ASHBY, JOHN MAIDMENT

University College London

This accessible new textbook provides a clear and practical introduction to phonetics, the study of speech. Assuming no prior knowledge of the topic, it introduces students to the fundamental concepts in phonetic science, and equips them with the essential skills needed for recognizing, describing and transcribing a range of speech sounds. Numerous graded exercises enable students to put these skills into practice, and the sounds introduced are clearly illustrated with examples from a variety of English accents and other languages. As well as looking at traditional articulatory description, the book introduces acoustic and other instrumental techniques for analysing speech, and covers topics such as speech and writing, the nature of transcription, hearing and speech perception, linguistic universals, and the basic concepts of phonology. Providing a solid foundation in phonetics, Introducing Phonetic Science will be invaluable to all students beginning courses in linguistics, speech sciences, language pathology and language therapy.

"Ashby and Maidment have succeeded in synthesizing complex and challenging material in a way that is accessible to beginners ... I have not used a better introductory textbook on the subject."
Dominic Watt, Department of Linguistics, University of Aberdeen

"An excellent introductory textbook. It is the only one that truly combines articulatory and instrumental approaches to phonetics. In addition it has a abundance of clear and helpful exercises."
William Idsardi, Department of Linguistics, University of Delaware

Table of Contents

  • 1. Introduction to speech
  • 2. Voice
  • 3. Place of articulation
  • 4. Manner of articulation
  • 5. Vowels
  • 6. Voice II
  • 7. Airstream mechanisms
  • 8. Speech sounds and speech movements
  • 9. Basic phonological concepts
  • 10. Suprasegmentals
  • 11. Speaker and hearer