Phonology is the study of the properties of sound systems, the principles that govern the ways in which speakers of different languages organise speech sounds to express meanings. It is an old discipline, reaching back to ancient India, and a thriving ever-changing part of the modern science of linguistics, investigating language facts, posing new questions, formulating new ways of analysing, and spawning different theoretical viewpoints. Keeping up with developments in the field is difficult because output is great and many essays appear in publications of limited circulation. This volume brings together over a hundred previously published book chapters and articles from professional journals. These have been chosen for their relevance in the exploration of theoretical questions, with some preference for essays that are not easily accessible. Divided into sections, each part is preceded by a brief introduction which aims to point out the problems addressed by the various articles and show their relation to one another.

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.

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.