Efficient processing of speech and language is required at all levels in the design of human-computer interfaces. In this perspective, the book provides a global understanding of the required theoretical foundations, as well as practical examples of successful applications, in the area of human-language technology. The authors start from acoustic signal processing to pragmatics, covering all the important aspects of speech and language processing such as phonetics, morphology, syntax, and semantics.Throughout the volume, the reader can easily notice an emerging methodology, a key issue in the rational design of efficient and robust language-based computer applications. While engineering rigor is guaranteed in all chapters, particular care has been taken in highlighting intuitive aspects of technical details.Contributions from acknowledged experts in the relevant sub-disciplines make this book a truly unique offering in the available literature on speech and language engineering.