Elements of Acoustic Phonetics / Edition 2

by Peter Ladefoged

Overview

This revised and expanded edition of a classic textbook provides a concise introduction to basic concepts of acoustics and digital speech processing that are important to linguists, phoneticians, and speech scientists. The second edition includes four new chapters that cover new experimental techniques in acoustic phonetics made possible by the use of computers. Assuming no background in physics or mathematics, Ladefoged explains concepts that must be understood in using modern laboratory techniques for acoustic analysis, including resonances of the vocal tract and the relation of formants to different cavities; digital speech processing and computer storage of sound waves; and Fourier analysis and Linear Predictive Coding, the equations used most frequently in the analysis of speech sounds. Incorporating recent developments in our knowledge of the nature of speech, Ladefoged also updates the original edition's discussion of the basic properties of sound waves; variations in loudness, pitch, and quality of speech sounds; wave analysis; and the hearing and production of speech.

Like its predecessor, this edition of Elements of Acoustic Phonetics will serve as an invaluable textbook and reference for students and practitioners of linguistics and speech science, and for anyone who wants to understand the physics of speech.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780226467641
Publisher:	University of Chicago Press
Publication date:	12/01/1995
Edition description:	First Edition
Pages:	224
Product dimensions:	5.25(w) x 8.00(h) x 0.70(d)

Table of Contents

Preface
1. Sound Waves
2. Loudness and Pitch
3. Quality
4. Wave Analysis
5. Resonance
6. Hearing
7. The Production of Speech
8. Resonances of the Vocal Tract
9. Digital Speech Processing
10. Fourier Analysis
11. Digital Filters and LPC Analysis
Index

Editorial Reviews

Explains the basic aspects of acoustics that are important for the study of speech. Six chapters of the 1962 edition are little changed, but the seventh is expanded to account for new insights into the nature of speech, such as resonances of the vocal tract and how formants are related to different cavities. New chapters explain how computers store sound waves, some basic aspects of computer speech processing, and the two most common equations for analyzing speech sounds. Assumes a vague memory of high school mathematics. No bibliography. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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