Discovering Phonetics and Phonology - by Lynne Cahill (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Written in a lively and engaging style, this brand new textbook provides students with a friendly yet authoritative introduction to the sounds of language. Divided into six thematic parts, it unpicks the relationship between sound and spelling before showing you how to describe and classify sounds. It then explains how sounds are combined into syllables, morphemes and words, and looks at stress, tone and duration, collectively known as prosody. It concludes with a discussion of a range of phonological features, processes and theories, including Generative Phonology, Optimality Theory and Feature Geometry. Quizzes prompt students to reflect on what they already know about the subject, and end-of-chapter exercises enable them to consolidate their knowledge before moving on.

This book will be essential reading for undergraduates studying phonetics and phonology as part of an English language or linguistics degree.

Review Quotes

Discovering Phonetics and Phonology seamlessly blends theory with practice. I am confident that it will prove to be an invaluable resource for those who are curious about how English sounds function, why they do so, and what meanings they create.
Gerard O'Grady, Cardiff University, UK

The most valuable asset of Discovering Phonetics and Phonology is its focus on the relationship between spelling and sound. To put it simply: it's fantastic!
Ilka Mindt, Universität Paderborn, Germany

This is a uniquely accessible introduction to both phonetics and phonology. It makes the subject approachable by activating connections with students' everyday lives and using jargon-free explanations. Many students have been waiting for a book like this.
Yuni Kim, University of Essex, UK

About the Author

Lynne Cahill is Senior Lecturer in English Language and Linguistics at the University of Sussex, UK. In recent years she has focused on the relationship between spelling and pronunciation, with a particular interest in variant spellings in contexts as diverse as medieval legal documents and computer mediated communication.
Lynne Cahill is Senior Lecturer in English Language and Linguistics at the University of Sussex, UK. In recent years she has focused on the relationship between spelling and pronunciation, with a particular interest in variant spellings in contexts as diverse as medieval legal documents and computer mediated communication.