An Introduction to Phonetics; English, French and German: With Reading Lessons and Exercises (Classic Reprint)

INTRODUCTION TO PHONETICS. The object and plan of this book are indicated in its title and table of contents, but they need to be explained somewhat more fully. It is not written for the purpose of bringing about a reform in the spelling of the English language, although, in the opinion of all philologists, and of many of the most thoughtful teachers, this is greatly to bo desired. A study of tho sounds of English will, it is to be hoped, prepare the way for that reform, which still seems to Tbo in the far distance; but in the meantime English pooplo need to know the sounds of their mother tongue for three reasons: (1) that they may speak it correctly; (2) that they may learn successfully the pronunciation of other languages, to which a knowledge of their own is the best introduction ; and (3) that those who wish to study philology may have a "key to that science And the sounds of our language cannot be studied or explained without some system of phonetic spelling. Importance of tl

Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS; PART I; INTRODUCTION TO ENGLISH, FRElsXII, AND GERMAN; PHOXETICS; EA6G; Alphabets ii; Tables vi; Diagrams xiv; Preface by Miss Beale xix; introduction 1; 1 The Vocal Organs Described 8; U English Sounds Illustrated 11; Consonants 11; Long Vowels 15; Short Vowels 10; Diphthongs 22; The Letter R 23; III English Analysis 30; Consonants Introductory 30; Stops 31; Liquids 33; Continnauts 35; Composite Consonauts 38; Syllabic CouBOnantft 30; Vowels Introductory 39; Five Principal Vowels, aa, ey, iy, ow, uw 41; Remaining Long YowelB, i, 6, oe 44; Suoet Vowels Introductory 45; Short Front Vowels,