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Theory and Methods in Sociophonetics Research: A Review of Sociophonetics

Author(s)

Lu Zhang

Affiliation(s)

School of Foreign Languages, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou, Henan, China

Abstract

The book “Key Topics in Sociolinguistics” represents the latest contribution published by Cambridge University Press, which delves into the specialized field of sociophonetics with comprehensive detail. This academic piece systematically outlines the basic concepts, main theories, interdisciplinary approaches, and methodological practices prevalent within the domain of sociophonetics. The book is characterized by its rigorous structure and innovative content. It meticulously elucidates the research methods commonly employed in sociophonetics, exemplified through detailed analysis of vowels and sibilants, thereby providing readers with concrete instances of phonetic study. Furthermore, it discusses the social factors affecting phonetic variation, and the formation of regional and social dialects. It not only furnishes readers with a profound understanding of the current landscape of sociophonetic research but also offers significant guidance for future studies in this evolving field. This in-depth review aims to underscore the critical contributions of the work, positioning it as an indispensable tool for those engaged in the intricate exploration of sociophonetics.

Keywords

Sociophonetics; Speech Production; Speech Perception; Synchronic Variation

References

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