Description: Do you have a fear of transcription? Are you daunted by the prospect of learning and handling unfamiliar symbols? This workbook is for students who are new to linguistics and phonetics, and offers a didactic approach to the study and transcription of the words, rhythm and intonation of English. It can be used independently or in class and covers all the pronunciation details of words, phrases, rhythm and intonation. Progress is deliberately gentle with plenty of explanations, examples and 'can't go wrong' exercises. It includes a CD of audio recordings of authentic speech, which provides back-up throughout. The CD also introduces students to variations in accents, with eleven different speakers. Going beyond the transcription of words, the book also ventures into real discourse with the simplification systems of colloquial English speech, rhythm and intonation.
Brief description: Paul Tench is a Research Associate at the Centre for Language and Communication Research, Cardiff University.
Review Quotes: "This excellent book explains in careful detail and from first principles how to analyze English speech and to transcribe it phonetically. Highly recommended."
John Wells, Emeritus Professor of Phonetics, UCL