ABSTRACT
In this chapter we shall be describing the formation of speech sounds in some detail. Since everyday language cannot cope with phonetic descriptions, we shall have to introduce a number of technical terms. If you find the vocabulary rather complicated at first, remember that the important things to get to grips with are the fundamental concepts themselves. Phonetic terms are of no value except insofar as they refer to concepts which are properly understood. There is no virtue whatever, for instance, in knowing that /f/ is a voiceless labio-dental fricative, unless you have a clear idea what these terms mean: otherwise you would be much better off simply calling it an /ef/.
