Book excerpt: Initiating a new series of coordinated diction manuals and anthologies, this book helps students to move beyond diction to clear understanding and authentic style. Thomas Hampson says, "This guide not only achieves an excellent study of the tools for proper translation and diction, it goes much deeper and more importantly to the teaching of musical and poetic expression from the inner side of the language." Every German example word or phrase is translated into English and is also spoken perfectly on the included CD by trained actress Dr. Nora Henry, from Hanover, Germany. The comb binding creates a lay-flat book that is perfect for study and performance.