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From the PREFACE. The object of this work is sufficiently shown in its title. It differs from my Primer of Phonetics ( 367)-to which it will serve as an introduction-not only in being more elementary, more systematically graduated, and more definitely based on the English sound-system, but in being better adapted for self-instruction in other respects as well. I hope it will be found specially useful to those who have to teach phonetics in connexion with elocution and modern languages. In order to make the book as generally useful as possible, I have also dealt briefly with the applications of phonetics to historical and comparative philology, as well as to the more practical sides of the study of language; and have added a bibliography to serve as a first guide to the beginner in his further progress, and to guard him against one-sidedness as well as uncritical assimilation of the latest views- merely because they are new. This book is the outcome of an exceptionally long and varied experience as learner and teacher of phonetics. In early youth I enjoyed the inestimable privilege of being a pupil of A. M. Bell, the author of Visible Speech, and of personally discussing phonetic question with such authorities as A. J. Ellis, Prince L. L. Bonaparte, J. Storm, and afterwards E. Sievers, together with many others-in fact, with nearly all the pioneers of modern phonetics. The impetus given to the study of phonetics by the new regulation of the Board of Education has brought with it two inevitable drawbacks. Many teachers who used to profess not to know what phonetics was, forthwith announced classes in it. And then came a flood of worthless publications on phonetics-most of them uncritical compilations from foreign works unsuited for English needs. I have, therefore, in conclusion, to express the hope that our educational authorities will be cautious in introducing phonetics and appointing teachers of it-and that they will profit by the experience of Scotland.

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