Overview

This book introduces undergraduates to the concepts, terminology and representations needed for an understanding of how English is pronounced around the world. Assuming no prior knowledge, the book guides readers through the vocal tract and explains how sounds of speech are made. Two main forms of representation are used: phonetic transcription and simple acoustic data. As far as possible, the book is based on naturally-occurring, conversational speech so that readers are familiar with the details of everyday talk (and not just the careful pronunciations represented in dictionaries). Examples are taken from around the English-speaking world, including North America, Australia, New Zealand and varieties of British English. Introductory chapters cover the basic phonetic framework, while later chapters discuss groups of sounds in more detail. The book takes an open-minded approach to what sounds of English might be significant for making meaning, and highlights the significance of word meaning, morphology, sociolinguistics and conversational interaction in phonetic analysis. Key Features *Introductory text assuming no prior knowledge of phonetics *Informed by up to date research on naturally occurring conversational English *Focuses on phonetics as a skill and encourages the reader to reflect on their own speech *Covers a range of forms of phonetic representation.

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9780748625413

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Reviews

Ogden's hands-on approach engages readers from the beginning. Peppered with observations on everyday speech, it also encourages the reader to listen for more. Previous work is referred to in chunks manageable for a beginner, and at the same time there are hints about discoveries that are yet to be made.--Joanna Przedlacka, University College London Journal of the International Phonetic Association, Volume 42 (1)

Author Information

Richard Ogden is a senior lecturer at the University of York, where he has taught phonetics since 1995. He has worked on speech synthesis, non-segmental phonology, and in more recent years on the phonetics of conversation. Among other things, he has worked on turn-taking in Finnish, agreements and disagreements in English, and Firthian phonology. His major research interests lie in how phonetic detail signals meaning of all kinds. He is also Adjunct Professor in the Department of Phonetics at the University of Helsinki.

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