The syllable is a natural unit of organization in spoken language whose strongest cross-linguistic patterns are often explained in terms of a universal preference for the CV structure. Syllable patterns involving long sequences of consonants are both typologically rare and theoretically marginalized, with few approaches treating these as natural or unproblematic structures. This book is an investigation of the properties of languages with highly complex syllable patterns. The two aims are (i) to establish whether these languages share other linguistic features in common such that they constitute a distinct linguistic type, and (ii) to identify possible diachronic paths and natural mechanisms by which these patterns come about in the history of a language. These issues are investigated in a diversified sample of 100 languages, 25 of which have highly complex syllable patterns. Languages with highly complex syllable structure are characterized by a number of phonetic, phonological, and morphological features which serve to set them apart from languages with simpler syllable patterns. These include specific segmental and suprasegmental properties, a higher prevalence of vowel reduction processes with extreme outcomes, and higher average morpheme/word ratios. The results suggest that highly complex syllable structure is a linguistic type distinct from but sharing some characteristics with other proposed holistic phonological types, including stress-timed and consonantal languages. The results point to word stress and specific patterns of gestural organization as playing important roles in the diachronic development of these patterns out of simpler syllable structures.

The syllable is a natural unit of organization in spoken language whose strongest cross-linguistic patterns are often explained in terms of a universal preference for the CV structure. Syllable patterns involving long sequences of consonants are both typologically rare and theoretically marginalized, with few approaches treating these as natural or unproblematic structures. This book is an investigation of the properties of languages with highly complex syllable patterns. The two aims are (i) to establish whether these languages share other linguistic features in common such that they constitute a distinct linguistic type, and (ii) to identify possible diachronic paths and natural mechanisms by which these patterns come about in the history of a language. These issues are investigated in a diversified sample of 100 languages, 25 of which have highly complex syllable patterns. Languages with highly complex syllable structure are characterized by a number of phonetic, phonological, and morphological features which serve to set them apart from languages with simpler syllable patterns. These include specific segmental and suprasegmental properties, a higher prevalence of vowel reduction processes with extreme outcomes, and higher average morpheme/word ratios. The results suggest that highly complex syllable structure is a linguistic type distinct from but sharing some characteristics with other proposed holistic phonological types, including stress-timed and consonantal languages. The results point to word stress and specific patterns of gestural organization as playing important roles in the diachronic development of these patterns out of simpler syllable structures.

There is currently a wealth of activity involving the analysis of complex segmental sequences from phonetic, phonological and psycholinguistic perspectives. This volume draws from selected contributions to the conference Consonant Clusters and Structural Complexity held in Munich in August 2008. Consonant sequences, whether occurring within individual lexical items or emerging in running speech at word boundaries, give particularly striking evidence for the temporal complexity of human speech. But contributions also consider the integration of tonal and vocalic elements into syllable structure. The main aim of the volume is to do justice to this complexity by bringing together researchers from a wide range of backgrounds. The book is organized into four main sections entitled ‘Phonology and Typology’, ‘Production: Analysis and Models’, ‘Acquisition’, and ‘Assimilation and reduction in connected speech’.

This book presents an empirical study of syllable structure and phonotactic restructuring in six Caribbean creoles with Dutch, English and French as main lexifier languages. It is shown that, although some structures are more commonly permitted than others, there is considerable cross-creole variation, especially with respect to word-final structures. The findings provide support for recent SLA approaches to the emergence of creole phonology.

The architecture of the human language faculty has been one of the main foci of the linguistic research of the last half century. This branch of linguistics, broadly known as Generative Grammar, is concerned with the formulation of explanatory formal accounts of linguistic phenomena with the ulterior goal of gaining insight into the properties of the 'language organ'. The series comprises high quality monographs and collected volumes that address such issues. The topics in this series range from phonology to semantics, from syntax to information structure, from mathematical linguistics to studies of the lexicon. To discuss your book idea or submit a proposal, please contact Birgit Sievert

The Handbook of the Syllable approaches the study of the phonology and phonetics of the syllable with theoretical, empirical and methodological heterogeneity as its guiding principle. Since the mid-nineteenth century, scholars in the phonetic and phonological sciences have found it convenient to refer to the syllable, but definitions are scarce and none apply to all areas where the syllable is frequently invoked. The Handbook’s seventeen chapters focus on empirical studies of the syllable by presenting both new data and new kinds of data. The work addresses the syllable in phonology, phonetics, experimental psycholinguistics, neurolinguistics, diachronic linguistics, and orthography. It is a seminal reference book for researchers exploring any empirical area where the notion of 'the syllable' is invoked.

Here’s How to Treat Childhood Apraxia of Speech, Third Edition offers clinicians and students of speech-language pathology (SLP) a comprehensive look at the assessment, differential diagnosis, and treatment of childhood apraxia of speech (CAS). This book helps guide the SLP on which assessment tasks will provide the information needed to make a confident diagnosis of CAS at different stages of development, as well as best practices for treatment of CAS. The authors take a deep dive into application of evidence-based treatment strategies for children with CAS, and move beyond theoretical ideas to provide recommendations of specific activities to facilitate improved speech praxis in children across age groups, making this book extremely informative and practical. This latest edition maintains the original intention of the prior editions—to provide clinicians and students with a holistic look at the complex needs of children with CAS and to offer practical ideas for evaluation and treatment. The amount of new research over the past several years has been substantial. Fortunately for the readers, Here’s How to Treat Childhood Apraxia of Speech, Third Edition summarizes the most current research regarding the nature of CAS, best practices in evaluation, and effective treatment strategies to give clinicians greater confidence in working with children with this complex speech disorder. New to the Third Edition * Updates to reflect the current research findings related to the genetic and neurogenic correlates of CAS, as well as the features of CAS that are most sensitive and specific to consider when making a differential diagnosis * New chapters on unique needs of children with co-occurring challenges, such as ADHD, dysarthria, and developmental coordination disorder, and treatment of CAS via telepractice * Videos Disclaimer: Please note that ancillary content (such as documents, forms, etc.) may not be included as published in the original print version of this book.

Here's How to Treat Childhood Apraxia of Speech, Second Edition is the most comprehensive textbook available addressing assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of childhood apraxia of speech (CAS). This text is the definitive reference for students and professionals seeking current best practices in treating children with CAS. The book is divided into three parts. Part I defines CAS, describes those characteristics most commonly associated with CAS, and offers guidelines for conducting a thorough motor speech evaluation to support an accurate differential diagnosis. Part II summarizes the principles of motor learning and provides clear guidance for how these principles can be put into practice when working with children with CAS. Part III addresses specific topics of interest to clinicians and students looking for practical ideas on how to address the multifaceted challenges of children with CAS such as vowels, prosody, expressive language, social language, and incorporating phonological awareness in CAS treatment. Additional recommendations are provided for supporting the needs of children with limited verbal output and older children with ongoing communicative challenges, working with parents, developing treatment plans, and writing meaningful goals and objectives. Each chapter of this second edition has been updated to incorporate the most current evidence-based information available on CAS. In addition, five new chapters have been added, including: Principles of Motor Learning and Their Application to Treatment of CAS (Chapter 4)Evidence-Based Treatment Programs for Children with CAS (Chapter 10)Supporting the Needs of Older Children with Ongoing Communicative Challenges (Chapter 15)Using Apps with Children with CAS (Chapter 21)Developing Meaningful Goals for Children with CAS (Chapter 23) Here's How to Treat Childhood Apraxia of Speech, Second Edition will be of value to speech-language pathologists and students looking for practical, evidence-based recommendations for addressing the diverse needs of children with CAS. This title is a volume in Plural's "Here's" How" series.

The World Atlas of Language Structures is a book and CD combination displaying the structural properties of the world's languages. 142 world maps and numerous regional maps - all in colour - display the geographical distribution of features of pronunciation and grammar, such as number of vowels, tone systems, gender, plurals, tense, word order, and body part terminology. Each world map shows an average of 400 languages and is accompanied by a fully referenced description of the structural feature in question. The CD provides an interactive electronic version of the database which allows the reader to zoom in on or customize the maps, to display bibliographical sources, and to establish correlations between features. The book and the CD together provide an indispensable source of information for linguists and others seeking to understand human languages. The Atlas will be especially valuable for linguistic typologists, grammatical theorists, historical and comparative linguists, and for those studying a region such as Africa, Southeast Asia, North America, Australia, and Europe. It will also interest anthropologists and geographers. More than fifty authors from many different countries have collaborated to produce a work that sets new standards in comparative linguistics. No institution involved in language research can afford to be without it.

English L2 Reading: Getting to the Bottom uses research-based insights to examine bottom-up skills in reading English as a second language. This fourth edition clearly presents core concepts alongside their practical applications to teaching contexts, with updated research findings, a new focus on metalinguistic awareness, and new resources for students. The text’s pedagogical features help readers connect linguistic details and psycholinguistic theory with practical explanations and teaching suggestions. Pre-reading Questions challenge readers to analyze their own experiences. Study Guide Questions allow readers to review, discuss, and assess their knowledge. Discussion Questions elaborate on themes in each chapter, while the new Language Awareness Activities help develop metalinguistic awareness. Three Appendices provide tables that list the graphemes and the phonemes of English, as well as a brand-new dictionary pronunciation guide. New to the fourth edition: Substantially revised and updated research on linguistics New, evidence-based models on the reading process Language Awareness Activities that highlight metalinguistic awareness Word study examples in each chapter For teachers, teacher trainers, reading researchers, or anyone interested in teaching reading, this popular, comprehensive, myth-debunking text provides clear and practical guidance towards effectively supplementing top-down teaching approaches with bottom-up reading strategies.