Articulatory and impressionistic phonetics

Aims

Aims

• To give students a thorough training in the skills of articulatory and impressionistic phonetics
• To teach production of the sounds of the IPA chart
• To develop an understanding of problems and principles in phonetic description and classification

This module will be capped at 30.

Prerequisites

Prerequisites

Students must have successfully completed:

• L219 Introduction to phonetics and phonology (4190219)

Programme

Programme

Contact hours

Sp 2-5: Lecture (1 hr)
Sp 7-10: Phonetic observation class (1hr)
Sp 2-5, 7-10: seminars and ear training classes (1 hr/wk)
Su 1-4: seminars and ear training classes (2 hr/wk)
Ear training classes limited to about 15 students; usually
2-3 sessions per cohort.

Teaching programme

One of the three hours will be given over to workshops in phonetic production and perception; the rest of the time will be a mixture of lectures, language informant sessions and seminars.

Teaching materials

• Laver, J (1994) Principles of Phonetics (Cambridge: CUP)
• Ladefoged, P and Maddieson, I (1996) The Sounds of the World's Languages (Oxford: Blackwell)
  

Assessment and feedback

Assessment and feedback

Feedback on formative work

• Ear Training (Phonetic production and perception): immediate oral feedback on individual productions; group feedback following phonetic dictation tasks
• Seminar exercises: immediate oral group feedback
• There will be three short written pieces of work during the term, with feedback given within two weeks of submission of each

Assessment and feedback

• Essay
  A 3,000 word essay due week 7 of the summer term. The essay will be on a broad topic allowing students to synthesise material from the whole module, but especially the lecture and seminar components.
  • Weight: 70%
  • Feedback: Marks for the whole module.
• Examination
  • An oral performance exam; Weight: 15%
  • An aural exam; Weight: 15%

Skills

Transferable skills developed in this module

All modules provide an opportunity to work on general oral/written communication skills (in class and in assessments) and general self management (organising your studies), alongside the specific skills in language or linguistics that the module teaches.

In addition, this module will allow you to particularly develop skills in oral communication: the module has an emphasis on oral work, and requires you to present yourself for oral examination in phonetics. Ear-training sessions will help you grow in presenting yourself with confidence.

Follow this link to hear how past students use transferable skills from their degree in their current jobs.