Spoken English: The Basics

The 1st Edition of Spoken English: The Basics, written by Michael McCarthy and Steve Walsh, offers a clear introduction to the structural and social dimensions of spoken language. Published as part of Routledge's 'The Basics' book series, this introductory textbook prepares students of sociolinguistics, education, and literacy to analyze spoken interaction across diverse communicative settings.

The volume synthesizes core linguistic mechanics across several structured thematic arcs. It begins by examining fundamental phonology, accents, and regional dialects, then moves into a detailed comparison of the structural differences between speaking and writing. Further chapters address the specific grammar of speaking and the specialized vocabulary of speaking used in daily oral exchanges.

Across 230 pages, the text includes 25 black and white illustrations that clarify analytical concepts and structural diagrams. This textbook provides structured academic support for students of corpus linguistics seeking a foundational grounding in spoken English analysis.