Amazon.com description: Product Description: Classically Speaking: Dialects for Actors is meant for anyone interested in learning well-spoken Neutral American Speech (aka General American). It is also an effective tool for learning Classical American, Mid-Atlantic and Standard British dialects.

Each Neutral American vowel, diphthong and consonant sound is described, along with an accompanying audio track, and sound checks of common difficulties. In addition, the International Phonetic Alphabet is covered and practice exercises are included, along with chapters on rhythm, stress, use of the weak and strong forms of words, linking sounds, inflection, pause, literary devices and scansion (for those interested in Shakespeare). Three monologues spoken by professional actors wrap-up the 325 page Neutral American Section. This is followed by Classical American (88 pages), Mid-Atlantic (16 pages) and Standard British dialects (62 pages), including accompanying exercises, audio selections for each adjustment covered, and three monologues spoken by professional actors for each of these dialects.

The text book with downloadable audio and e-book, including audio selections accessible by simply clicking the screen, are offered together as a package.

Overview:
Table of Contents

Introduction

Overview & International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA)
Selections for Recording
Consonant Overview
Vowel Overview
IPA Symbols Chart
IPA Transcription Practice
IPA Transcription Answer Key (without length)
Length Guidelines
IPA Transcription Answer Key (with length)

Neutral American Dialect
Rhythm Highlighters
Summary of Rhythm Highlighters
Linking (Avoiding glottal attack and glottal fry)
Key Words & Stressed Syllables
Noun/Verb Variations
Weak Forms
Inflection
Pause
Literary Devices
Scansion
Front Vowels
Mid Vowels
Back Vowels
Diphthongs
Diphthongs of r
Triphthongs of r
Consonants
Practice Text and Monologues

Classical American Dialect
Summary Checklist of Sound Changes
Practice Text and Monologues

Mid-Atlantic Dialect
Summary Checklist of Sound Changes
Practice Text and Monologues

Standard British Dialect
Summary Checklist of Sound Changes
Very Upper-Class Characters
Common British-English Words with American-English Meaning
Common American-English Words with Standard British Pronunciation
Practice Text and Monologues

Appendix

Translation

Shakespeare Text and Line References