This accessible textbook provides a clear and practical introduction to phonology, the study of sound patterns in language. Designed for students with only a basic knowledge of linguistics, it teaches in a step-by-step fashion the logical techniques of phonological analysis and the fundamental theories that underpin it. Through over sixty graded exercises, students are encouraged to make their own analyses of phonological patterns and processes, based on extensive data and problems sets from a wide variety of languages. Introducing Phonology equips students with the essential analytical skills needed for further study in the field, such as how to think critically and discover generalizations about data, how to formulate hypotheses, and how to test them. Providing a solid foundation in both the theory and practice of phonology, it is set to become the leading text for any introductory course, and will be invaluable to all students beginning to study the discipline.

• Accessibly written, assuming no prior knowledge of phonology or phonetics • Equips students with the essential analytical skills needed for further study in phonology • Contains over sixty graded exercises based on a variety of data, with further exercises, useful links and password protected solutions on the accompanying web site

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Contents

1. What is phonology?;

2. Phonetic transcriptions;

3. Allophonic relations;

4. Underlying representations;

5. Interacting processes;

6. Feature theory;

7. Doing an analysis;

8. Phonological typology and naturalness;

9. Abstractness and psychological reality;

10. Nonlinear representations.

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Reviews

‘An excellent introduction to phonology. Difficult ideas are presented in an accessible manner - a plus for any textbook. It covers a variety of interesting phonological facts from typologically different languages. Using this text will acquaint students with the essence of theoretical concepts and phonological analyses.’ Shosuke Haraguchi, Meikai University

‘This book is a godsend for those of us in search for an introduction to phonology … Odden provides the entire package of tools and raw materials that the student needs.’ Lee Bickmore, Program in Linguistics and Cognitive Science, Albany University

‘Odden‘s book stands out among phonology textbooks thanks to its focus on data and analysis. … Students of phonology and phonetics would benefit … and will find … some explanations that are clearly better than those available elsewhere.‘ Times Higher Education Supplement