The Sounds of Spanish
Analysis and Application (with Special Reference to American English)
By: Robert M. Hammond
About This Book
This brand new introductory textbook provides a thorough account of the Spanish language as it is actually pronounced, teaching students how to speak like native speakers. The book carefully describes the differing pronunciations of all of the major Spanish dialects, so students can see the differences in how Spanish is spoken around the world. This is also the first introductory text to carefully and systematically compare Spanish pronunciation to American English pronunciation, helping students connect what they are learning to what they already know. The Sounds of Spanish is readable and approachable for students at all levels. Hundreds of examples in the text show how pronunciation rules are applied. Recordings of examples on the free companion web site allow students to match what they see in the book to what they hear in the recordings. A standard audio CD is also available containing these same recordings.
AI Overview
"The Sounds of Spanish: Analysis and Application" by Robert M. Hammond is a comprehensive guide to the sound system of the Spanish language. Here is a detailed overview of the book:
Key Themes
- Phonetics and Phonology: The book delves into the phonetic and phonological aspects of Spanish, including the description of its sounds, syllable structure, and intonation patterns.
- Comparative Analysis: It provides a comparative analysis of Spanish sounds with those of American English, which is useful for English speakers learning Spanish.
- Descriptive Approach: The book is descriptive in nature, aiming to provide a detailed understanding of the sound system of Spanish rather than focusing on prescriptive rules.
Plot Summary
The book does not have a narrative plot but rather a structured approach to analyzing and understanding the sounds of Spanish. It covers various topics such as:
- Segmental Phonetics: The study of individual sounds (phonemes) in Spanish.
- Suprasegmental Phonetics: The study of intonation, stress, and rhythm in Spanish.
- Syllable Structure: The organization of sounds into syllables.
- Phonological Processes: Rules governing how sounds change in different contexts.
Critical Reception
While specific reviews are not readily available, the book is intended to be an introduction to the sound system of Spanish, making it a valuable resource for linguists, language teachers, and learners of Spanish. The book's focus on descriptive analysis and its comparative approach to American English make it a useful tool for those interested in understanding the phonetics and phonology of Spanish.
Additional Information
- Publication Details: The book was published in 2001 by Cascadilla Press.
- Editions: It is available in paperback format, with a total of 423 pages.
Overall, "The Sounds of Spanish: Analysis and Application" by Robert M. Hammond is a thorough and informative resource for anyone seeking to understand the intricacies of the Spanish sound system.