A Practical Introduction to Phonetics

Now in a new edition, this unique interactive introduction to the study of phonetics shows students how to examine the entire range of human sounds through a series of 124 introspective experiments carried out in their own vocal tracts. It systematically covers all types of speech modification (breath, voice, whisper, creak), articulation (the ways in which the air stream is finally modulated to generate specific types of sound), and prosodic features (stress, syllable, tone, intonation). This text also includes a chapter on sound systems—the ways in which particular languages utilize and systematize the universal sound-producing potential of humans. By actually articulating sounds and attending to the motor sensations they produce, readers acquire a deep, personal awareness of the principles of phonetic analysis and classification.
This second edition of A Practical Introduction to Phonetics features a new format and text design; updated use of phonetic symbols in line with the latest International Phonetic Alphabet Chart (1996); a revised further reading section that includes recent publications; and additional references to several important new publications. Informed throughout by recent research in aerodynamics and acoustics, this highly practical text is ideal for courses in introduction to phonetics and will be of interest to a wide range of students and teachers of languages, linguistics, speech therapy, and anthropology.

Catford's unique interactive approach to the study of phonetics leads readers to explore the entire range of human sounds through a series of introspective experiments carried out in their own vocal tracts, proceeding systematically from familiar vocal postures and articulations to new and unknown ones. By actually articulating sounds, and attending to the motor sensations they produce, the reader acquires a deep, personal understanding of the principles of phonetic classification. Informed throughout by recent research in aerodynamics and acoustics, this book will interest a wide range of students and teachers of languages, linguistics, speech therapy, and anthropology.

J. C. Catford is Professor Emeritus of Linguistics at the University of Michigan.