ABSTRACT
This Introduction contextualizes the volume as a whole in terms of content, organization, and stylistic conventions. It first motivates the volume’s objectives through reference to existing resources about Spanish phonetics, such as textbooks, scholarly research, and pedagogical materials. Due to the volume’s emphasis on articulatory phonetics, the Introduction then provides an overview of this subfield, which is particularly aimed at non-specialist readers. The next topic covered is an explanation of and justification for the two parts of the volume: Part I, “The Sound System of Spanish,” and Part II, “Pedagogical Challenges and Suggestions for the Classroom.” All chapters in each part follow a particular formula of a general introduction to the topic, a summary of previous relevant research, and practical applications to the classroom, including sample lessons. Ways in which the volume intends to reach the broadest audience possible are also demonstrated; the glossary at the end of the volume is detailed and key notational conventions are clarified. Finally, each chapter is briefly summarized, which allows readers interested in specific topics within the volume to have a key point of reference.
