Combining coverage of the key concepts and tools within phonetics and phonology with a systematic introduction to Praat, this textbook provides a lively and engaging 'way in' to the discipline. The author first covers the fundamentals of the articulatory and acoustic aspects of speech and introduces Praat as the main tool for examining and visualising speech. Next, the unit of analysis is gradually expanded (from syllables to words to turns and dialogues) and excerpts of real dialogues exemplify the core concepts for discovering how speech works. The final part of the book brings all the concepts and notions together with commentaries to the transcription of several short excerpts of dialogues. This book will be essential reading for students on undergraduate courses in phonetics and phonology.
"This book should be a very welcome addition to the library of any language teacher who is interested in broadening their knowledge of phonetics and phonology in a very practical manner. The book should be especially appealing to teachers who would like to introduce or expand the use of freeware such as Praat in their classrooms." (Ian Wilson, JALT Journal, Vol. 44 (2), November, 2022)