ABSTRACT

Describing Spoken English provides a practical and descriptive introduction to the pronunciation of contemporary English. It presumes no prior knowledge of phonetics and phonology.
Charles Kreidler describes the principal varieties of English in the world today. Whilst concentrating on the phonological elements they share, the author sets out specific differences as minor variations on a theme. Although theoretically orientated towards generative phonology, theory is minimal and the book is clear, comprehensive and accessible to undergraduate and postgraduate students of linguistics and English Language. Numerous exercises are included to encourage further study.

chapter 1|12 pages

The pronunciation of English

chapter 2|20 pages

Speech

chapter 3|16 pages

The structure of language

chapter 4|16 pages

English consonants

chapter 5|20 pages

English vowels

chapter 6|16 pages

Syllables

chapter 7|22 pages

Strong and weak syllables

• 7.1

chapter 8|20 pages

Word stress

chapter 9|18 pages

Stress in compound words and phrases

chapter 10|16 pages

The role of accent in discourse

chapter 11|18 pages

Intonation

chapter 12|17 pages

Morphemes that vary in form