Here are links for speech and dialect study, a reading list, and tips for vocal health.

LINKS FOR SPEECH & DIALECT STUDY

IDEA: The International Dialects of English Archive
The first stop for accent work. Hear native speakers from all over the world read the same passages of English text and speak spontaneously. You can also see biographical information and transcripts of their words.

Speech Accent Archive
Less extensive than IDEA, but still a great resource for native speaker audio from around the world.

Interactive IPA Charts
Click a symbol, hear the sound at this exhaustive inventory of the International Phonetic Alphabet. You can test yourself and refine your knowledge of the symbols used in English, and symbols you never thought you'd see.

Merriam-Webster Dictionary Online
At this dictionary website, you can click a word and hear the pronunciation immediately.

English Daily
This site contains examples of American idioms, slang, and proverbs as well as explanations of grammar and common mistakes made in the English language.

SPEECH & VOICE BOOKSHELF MUST-HAVES

SPEAK WITH DISTINCTION by Edith Skinner - This classic guide used in most contemporary speech training programs goes sound by sound through English speech, providing extensive, highly effective word, phrase, and sentence drills. It's the textbook I use for accent reduction and diction work, and it's an invaluable investment.

CAMBRIDGE ENGLISH PRONOUNCING DICTIONARY & CD by Daniel Jones - A pronouncing dictionary of spoken English is a helpful supplement to accent reduction and vocabulary building. Rather than definitions of words, this dictionary gives you the phonetic transcription, both of accepted American pronunciations and British variations.

FINDING YOUR VOICE by Barbara Houseman - simple, highly effective exercises for freeing and working with your voice.

SPEAKING SHAKESPEARE by Patsy Rodenburg - In my opinion, one of the two or three greatest books on Shakespearean text. Patsy Rodenburg is a master at helping you combine the heart and the intellect in verse analysis.

AWARENESS THROUGH MOVEMENT by Moshe Feldenkrais - Simple exercises that improve posture, vision, imagination, personal awareness, and ease of movement. The focus on a feeling of ease even when performing stressful tasks is central to my teaching philosophy.

MASTERY by George Leonard - A look at the true learning curve of mastery, which is not a straight line, but a series of small peaks followed by plateaus. This book also analyzes the way, in a quick-fix culture, we counteract our ability to truly master valuable skills. Applies directly to speech work, especially to accent reduction

VOICE CARE

A healthy voice requires care and good habits. Here are some guidelines and remedy recommendations and recipies.

> Guidelines for a healthy voice

  • Don't smoke tobacco, marijuana, or anything else
  • Limit alcohol and coffee intake - they dehydrate you
  • Limit dairy products before performances - dairy coats the throat
  • Drink lots of water (at least 8 glasses a day) - your urine should be very pale, and the yellower your urine, the more dehydrated you are
  • Avoid loud clubs or bars, and never yell to be heard in loud environments
  • Get adequate sleep (7-9 hours)
  • Humidify your bedroom during the winter months
  • Limit whispering and screaming
  • Learn proper breath support and use it!
  • Know where your physical tensions are and work to reduce them!

> Remedy Recommendations

  • For a sore throat
    • Gargle with warm water and sea salt 2x daily
    • Take Thayer's Slippery Elm lozenges (available at most good pharmacies)
    • Warm tea with lemon and honey
  • For an oncoming cold
    • Cold-Eeze Zinc Tablets (unflavored is best) - these will do wonders for your throat and boost your immune system (available in most drug stores)
  • For congestion
    • Use a humidifier during winter months
    • Fill the sink with hot water and put your face in the steam. Use a damp, warm towel over your head so the steam can't escape
    • Think about trying a Neti Pot for flushing out the sinuses (they sell them at health food and holistic stores)
    • Warm tea with a teaspoon of brandy (particularly before before bed)