ABSTRACT
It is usual for the introduction to a volume on language production to begin by bemoaning the lack of relevant research. Traditionally in the field of psycholinguistics, the study of language production has always played the poor relation to research on language comprehension and language acquisition processes. However, happily, I think that this is no longer the case. In terms of research endeavour, language production now boasts a dedicated, imaginative, and highly productive group of researchers, which continues to grow steadily. The first aim of this volume is, therefore, to present readers with a picture of the breadth of current research in the field. To this end, there are chapters investigating all levels of the language production system from the generation of the phonological and phonetic representations of speech to the coordination of spontaneous conversation.
