Introduction

English language teaching and learning have, over the years, assumed great significance, especially in the context of globalisation, advances in information technology and the use of the Internet. Communication in English between people from different countries and continents has increased phenomenally in the recent past. Tele-conferences and video conferences are becoming increasingly common in many organizations. Consequently, second language speakers are called upon to develop the ability to speak English with a neutral accent. To be globally intelligible, it is essential for a user to speak the language accurately with the right pronunciation, word and sentence stress and intonation. Introduction to English Phonetics and Phonology has been specially designed for students studying linguistics at the university level or English language courses in which phonetics and phonology form an essential component. Students who want to improve their ability to speak English with global intelligibility will also find the book useful. Each chapter in the book explains the key concepts in simple language. With a view to making it user-friendly, the book makes minimal but the most essential use of jargon. The theoretical explanations are supported with well-labelled illustrations. Tasks at the end of each chapter provide ample practice. It is recommended that the book be used in the order in which the key concepts have been provided.