Wiley-Blackwell Discovering Speech, Words, and Mind

Written in a lively style, Discovering Speech, Words, and Mind applies a scientific approach to the study of various aspects of speech, using everyday examples to introduce the beginning student to the world of language and cognition. An accessible introduction to the fundamentals of speech production, speech perception, word-formation, language acquisition and speech disordersConsiders how the informational content of the speech signal relates to phonological units – connecting the three areas of speech, words, and mindFocuses on speech production and recognition at the word-level and below, and includes sign languagesWritten in a highly accessible style for students with no background in linguistics or psychologyPacked with numerous student-friendly features, including engaging examples, illustrations, and sidebars for further discussion; further online exercises and data also available at http://www.discoveringspeech.wiley.com/ Review “Captivating a broader audience with the wonder and importance of speech for understanding language is a difficult undertaking. In this beautifully written and illustrated book, Byrd and Mintz do just that … In this engaging and highly readable book, the reader learns to appreciate the complexity and beauty of language, and to think scientifically about it. A daunting amount of information is presented, but in such a coherent and engaging fashion that the facts support one another, creating a well-woven tapestry that hangs together … Given the writing quality, it is a book I would recommend even for those who are not enrolled in a formal class.”  Language (March 2012) "I recommend this textbook for its cogent exposition of important and foundational findings in psycholinguistics and for connecting theoretical and empirical aspects in the study of language in a compelling discussion."  Linguist (February 2011) From the Inside Flap Discovering Speech, Words, and Mind examines language as a cognitive science, applying scientific tools to the study of various aspects of speech. Written in a lively and highly accessible style for students with no background in linguistics or psychology, readers are guided through the fundamentals of speech production, speech perception, word-formation, language acquisition and speech disorders. Focusing on speech production and recognition at the word-level and below, the book examines morphological, phonological, and phonetic perspectives. It explicitly connects three avenues of exploration – speech, words, and mind – through an examination of how the informational content of the speech signal relates to phonological units; it goes on to describe how these units combine in the morphological structuring of words and are accessed as the speech signal is processed by the listener. Featuring numerous illustrations and exercises, and accompanied by further online exercises and data, this is an ideal introduction to the science of language. From the Back Cover Discovering Speech, Words, and Mind examines language as a cognitive science, applying scientific tools to the study of various aspects of speech. Written in a lively and highly accessible style for students with no background in linguistics or psychology, readers are guided through the fundamentals of speech production, speech perception, word-formation, language acquisition and speech disorders. Focusing on speech production and recognition at the word-level and below, the book examines morphological, phonological, and phonetic perspectives. It explicitly connects three avenues of exploration – speech, words, and mind – through an examination of how the informational content of the speech signal relates to phonological units; it goes on to describe how these units combine in the morphological structuring of words and are accessed as the speech signal is processed by the listener. Featuring numerous illustrations and exercises, and accompanied by further onli