Understanding Phonology, Fifth Edition, provides a clear, accessible and broad introduction to phonology. Introducing basic concepts, it provides a comprehensive account of phonological topics like segmental contrasts; syllables and moras; quantity; tone and intonation; word stress; and prosodic constituent structure. This new edition has been streamlined to match widely applied course requirements. Key features include:

- Reorganised chapters to introduce key concepts earlier and increase accessibility to beginning students

- New developments and an updated bibliography

- Illustrations from languages spoken all over the planet, including Arabic, Central Alaskan Yupik, Hawaiian, Mandarin, French, Nubi, Yabem, Yanyuwa, and Zulu

- Over 100 exercises to test understanding

- A consistent illustration of Optimality Theory as applied to word stress

- Updated online resources for students and instructors including audio files, a key to questions, teaching goals, and PowerPoint slides.

Understanding Phonology is essential reading for students coming to this topic for the first time.