Based on thirty yearsrs" experience of teaching phonology, this textbook is the ideal introduction for students. Each chapter is presented succinctly and accessibly, providing students with a digestible and stimulating overview of the subject. The bookrs"s ten chapters deal with core theoretical concepts the distinctive nature of sounds in languages, the way they assimilate to their neighbors, how this may be represented, the way sounds are grouped into syllables and feet, how to derive a pronounceable output from a lexical representation. Designed to meet the needs of students new to the subject, Phonology: The Basics also offers useful features such as extensive exercises from languages including English and Dutch. Phonology can be fun, but most courses require the student to learn too much dry matter before the enjoyable part begins. This book redresses the balance.