English Transcription Course

This is a new workbook designed to aid the learning and practice of transcribing the English language phonetically. It offers an accessible, comprehensive guide to the most important features of connected speech, allowing the students to gain a better understanding of how the English language is pronounced.

Have you ever been confused by the fact that the words 'though' and 'bough' are pronounced differently, or frustrated by the realisation that 'hint' and 'pint' don't rhyme? It is well known that the spelling system of English is notoriously unhelpful as an indicator of how to pronounce English words. Spoken and written representations of English are mutually inconsistent, making it difficult to interpret the 'logic' of the language. Learning to transcribe English phonetically, however, provides an accurate visual interpretation of pronunciation: it helps you to realise what you actually say, rather than what you think you say.

English Transcription Course is the ideal workbook for anyone wishing to practice their transcription skills. It provides a series of eight lessons, each dealing with a particular aspect of pronunciation, and introduces and explains the most important features of connected speech in modern British English - such as assimilation, elision and weak forms, concentrating on achieving a relaxed, informal style of speech. Each lesson is followed by a set of exercises which allow for extensive practise of the skills learnt in both current and previous chapters. Students can check their progress with the 'model' answers provided in the appendix.


Uses the most up-to-date transcription systems
Provides model answers to all transcription exercises
Ideal for self-study or classroom use


Table of Contents:
Symbols and terminology
Transcription hints
Stress, rhythm and weak forms
Sandhi r
Consonant syllabicity
Elision
Assimilation
Glottaling
Further practice
Answer to questions
Glossary


Readership:
Undergraduate students of phonetics, speech and language therapy, second language acquisition and TEFL.