Jane Setter, Professor of Phonetics, University of Reading

Jane Setter is Professor of Phonetics at the University of Reading and a National Teaching Fellow of the UK Higher Education Academy. She has published widely on phonology in second language Englishes and emerging varieties, and among children with speech and language disorders. Professor Setter is a regular commentator in the British media on issues relating to English pronunciation, speech features, and attitudes to accents and appeared as an expert on programmes such as The Alan Titchmarsh Show and Duck Quacks Don't Echo.

"In sum, Setter presents a wide-ranging survey of linguistic variation and speech perception in the British Isles to introduce non-specialists to linguistics. Nevertheless, for linguists who do not specialize on this region, this work is equally engaging. Setter also demonstrates with facility how using multiple media enriches the presentation of linguistic work." - Tracey Adams, University of Texas at Austin, Linguist List

"Review from previous edition This book had me hooked ... sprightly and informative." - James McConnachie, The Sunday Times

"Setter's book provides an enjoyable, informative discussion of the relevance of our voice for our identity and how we perceive others." - Carolina Gonzalez, LINGUIST List

"Setter applies phonetic analysis to a range of aspects of daily life in a way that is approachable to a wide audience." - Megan Storey, Library Journal

"In Your Voice Speaks Volumes, Jane Setter... has produced a primer on some interesting aspects of the spoken word." - Graham Elliott, The Linguist

"Jane is excellent at making linguistics, particularly phonetics, crystal clear for the uninitiated. She uses that talent to great effect in her first book for the general public... This book is an important instrument for fighting accentism and other linguistic prejudice in the UK. It might make a nice gift for that person in your life who says they "care deeply about the English language", but really what they mean is "I like to judge other people's use of the English language"." - Lynne Murphy, Separated by a Common Language

"This is a fascinating book combining personal experience, British and international culture and society and above all scientific understanding of spoken language, how it works and how it is perceived around the world." - Training, Language and Culture, Maurice Cassidy

"Innovative, informative, and full of human warmth. Jane Setter brings a personal perspective to the subject that is both insightful and moving." - David Crystal

"Drawing on her two distinct areas of expertise -phonetics and rock singing- Jane Setter offers a fascinating and approachable account of the human voice and what it can say about us to the listener." - John C. Wells, Emeritus Professor of Phonetics, University College London

"A fascinating and thorough exploration of some of the key processes, functions and perceptions of spoken language. Professor Setter manages to provide accessible explanations of quite complex linguistic topics and brings them to life by relating them to entertaining examples from her own personal and professional experience. A great introduction to the area." - Dr Rob Drummond, Reader in Linguistics, Manchester Metropolitan University