Cambridge English Phonetics - And Phonology

Elias spent weeks practicing , turning normal words into a secret code of symbols like /ə/ and /θ/. He learned that some words, like "to" and "and," often "weaken" in fast speech, becoming shorter and quieter.

: Learning the difference between physical speech sounds ( phonetics ) and the abstract patterns they form in the mind ( phonology ). CAMBRIDGE English Phonetics and Phonology

Once upon a time in a bustling university library, a worn copy of by Peter Roach sat patiently on a high shelf. It had spent twenty-five years as a leading guide for those seeking to master the elusive sounds of the English language. Elias spent weeks practicing , turning normal words