This book provides a complete introductory course on the phonetics of English and Dutch based on an essentially practical approach to the subject. No previous knowledge of phonetics is assumed and all terms are explained in straightforward English as they are introduced. Theoretical and practical aspects of the subject are clarified for the student by means of numerous self-study exercises in articulation and transcription.

The book contains a detailed contrastive description of British RP English and of Dutch (in both the Netherlands and Belgian standard varieties). In addition to a full description of the individual vowels and consonants, full attention is paid to features of connected speech, e.g. intonation, assimilation and elision, stress and articulatory setting. There are sections on sound-spelling relationships in English and an analysis of the commonest pronunciations errors in the English of Dutch-speakers. A guide to the technique of phonemic transcription is also provided, with numerous transcription passages for which correction keys are available.

One chapter is devoted to differences between British and American pronunciation. Another section provides a survey of a range of British regional accents (e.g. Scottish, Irish, Welsh, Northern, London, Midlands, West Country).