This accessible textbook analyzes some central phenomena of the sound system of standard Southern British English and General American in the framework of Cognitive Linguistics and Construction Grammar. The sound patterns are examined from the point of view of the central function of language, that is, the expression of meaning. The topics covered range from articulatory phonetics and the more abstract phonological systems to word stress and intonation. The target readership includes both students and teachers of English and linguistics.

Key features: * an accessible introduction to both English phonology and phonology in general - suitable for beginners in the field * each chapter ends with exercises and the invitation to analyze English and other languages with the tools of Cognitive Linguistics * now available in paperback