Continuum Critical Introductions to Linguistics present core areas of the subject from refreshing new perspectives. This book takes an interdisciplinary approach to phonology which departs from the mainstream tradition. Daniel Silverman introduces the key aspects of phonology, and argues that the nature of linguistic sound systems can only be understood in the context of how they are actually used by speakers and listeners. Using sound samples from a large corpus of data, Daniel Silverman introduces phonology as a practical subject to be used and enjoyed, rather than as a theoretical...

Taking an interdisciplinary approach to phonological theory and analysis, A Critical Introduction to Phonology introduces the key aspects of the discipline. Departing from the mainstream tradition, Daniel Silverman argues that the nature of linguistic sound systems can only be understood in the context of how they are used by speakers and listeners.

By proposing that linguistic sound systems are the product of an interaction among sound (acoustics), mind (cognition), and body (physiology), Silverman focuses on the functional consequences of their interaction. Now with each...

Taking an interdisciplinary approach to phonological theory and analysis, A Critical Introduction to Phonology introduces the key aspects of the discipline. Departing from the mainstream tradition, Daniel Silverman argues that the nature of linguistic sound systems can only be understood in the context of how they are used by speakers and listeners.

By proposing that linguistic sound systems are the product of an interaction among sound (acoustics), mind (cognition), and body (physiology), Silverman focuses on the functional consequences of their interaction. Now with each...