How are the sounds of German produced? How do German speakers stress their words? How have the sounds of German developed over time? This book provides a clear introduction to the sounds of German, designed particularly for English-speaking students of the language. Topics covered include the role of the organs of speech, the state of the vocal cords and the differences between vowels and consonants. The articulation, distribution, spelling and the major variants of each sound are examined in detail. The book also discusses the regional differences between dialects and between the national standard varieties in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Students are encouraged to put theory into practice with end of chapter questions. Setting a solid foundation in the description and analysis of German sounds, The Sounds of German will help students improve their pronunciation of the language by introducing them to the basics of its sound system.