Phonetics and Speech Science

by Ian R. A. MacKay

Overview

Phonetics is a fundamental building block not just in linguistics but also in fields such as communication disorders. However, introductions to phonetics can often assume a background in linguistics, whilst at the same time overlooking the clinical and scientific aspects of the field. This textbook fills this gap by providing a comprehensive yet accessible overview of phonetics that delves into the fundamental science underlying the production of speech. Written with beginners in mind, it focuses on the anatomy and physiology of speech, while at the same time explaining the very basics of phonetics, such as the phonemes of English, the International Phonetic Alphabet, and phonetic transcription systems. It presents the sounds of speech as elements of linguistic structure and as the result of complex biological mechanics. It explains complicated terminology in a clear, easy-to-understand way, and provides examples from a range of languages, from disorders of speech, and from language learning.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781108452038
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	05/11/2023
Pages:	458
Product dimensions:	6.77(w) x 9.61(h) x 0.87(d)

About the Author

Ian R. A. MacKay is retired professor of linguistics at the University of Ottawa. He has taught phonetics and speech science for forty-five years to students of linguistics, speech–language pathology, and audiology.

Table of Contents

List of figures; List of tables; Acknowledgments; 1. Phonetics and language; 2. Phonetic transcription; 3. Anatomy and physiology of speech; 4. Air pressure and aerodynamics; 5. Consonants; 6. Vowels; 7. Sounds of North American English; 8. Voice, phonation, and nasality; 9. Airstream mechanisms: clicks, implosives, ejectives, esophageal speech; 10. Speech dynamics; 11. Suprasegmentals; 12. Acoustics; 13. Interlocutors: talkers and hearers; Glossary; References; Index.

Editorial Reviews

‘MacKay's book is an impressive combination of rigorous pedagogy and an accessible writing style.’ Aaron Kaplan, Department of Linguistics, University of Utah

‘This valuable textbook is a comprehensive and authoritative resource for anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of speech sounds and their production. What sets this book apart from others is its comprehensive coverage of both articulatory and acoustic phonetics without sacrificing detail in either area. MacKay has done a commendable job of presenting complex concepts in a clear and accessible manner, making the material easy to understand and apply.’ Amanda Dalola, University of Minnesota

‘This book covers a wide range of topics. It will be a great text for a course that combines phonetics, speech science, and perhaps some hearing science.’ Chao-Yang Lee, Ohio University

From the Publisher