This book gives a clear and accurate picture of current phonological theory in a small number of pages. John Goldsmith, University of Chicago

This skilfully written new text provides a broad, yet up-to-date, introduction to phonology. Assuming no previous knowledge of phonology or linguistic theory, the authors introduce the basic concepts and build on these progressively, discussing the main theories and illustrating key points with carefully chosen examples. A wide range of phenomena are covered: speech production, segmental contrasts, tone, quality, prosodic structure, metrical relations and intonation. The main theories are introduced and their contributions to our understanding of phonology, as well as their shortcomings, are discussed objectively.

Contents: The production of speech / Some typology: sameness and difference / Making the form fit / Two levels of representation / Distinctive Features / Ordered rules / The diminutive suffix in Dutch / Levels of representation / Representing tone / Skeletal slots and moras / Feature geometry / Complex segments / Stress / Iambic and Trochambic rhythm in Optimality Theory.

*This title is distributed in the United States by Oxford University Press. www.oup.com/us