Phonetics

Description

Define the main branches of phonetics. Describe the movement and function of speech organs. Describe English consonants on three dimensions. List the dimensions used to describe different types of English vowels. Identify the components of a syllable and list the rules used for syllabification. Distinguish possible and impossible consonant sequences. Recognize the features of stressed syllables and types of stress. Classify words into content and function words. Recognize various aspects of connected speech. Identify different functions of intonation and recognize intonation patterns and their uses. Discuss graphophonemic relations between English spelling and pronunciation. Use phonetic terms to explain the basic concepts in articulatory phonetics. Compare and contrast consonants and vowels in terms of their distinguishing features. Explain basic differences between American and British accents. Analyze syllable structure and divide a given words into syllables. Assign correct word stress. Discuss the importance of suprasegmental features such as stress and rhythm in effective speech. Explain phonetic changes occurring in connected speech. Determine the suitable intonation pattern for a given utterance. Apply graphophonemic patterns to produce correct pronunciation. Draw diagrams of speech organs and describe their movements. Transcribe vowel and consonant sounds using IPA symbols. Compare and contrast consonant sequences in different languages. Use appropriate phonetic notations to indicate stress and intonation patterns. Compare and contrast different English accents, particularly British and American. Produce correct intonation patterns. Analyze pronunciation errors by non-native speakers. Decide on syllable structure and division of syllables and words respectively. 4.1 Interpret IPA symbols and different phonetic notations. Produce correct pronunciation of English words and phrases. Integrate appropriate phonetic terminology in discussions and academic writing. Demonstrate their use of the features of connected speech in producing smooth utterances. Compare and contrast sound patterns of different languages. Write a short term paper elaborating on a phonetic topic of their choice. Give an oral presentation on a selected topic relevant to phonetics.

Program

Humanities Department

Objectives

• This course introduces learners to the study of speech sounds and the analysis of sound systems in the world’s languages. It covers the sounds of speech, their description (phonetics), their organization (phonology), and interaction with morphology (morph phonology). Learners will develop skills in perceiving, articulating and transcribing vowel and consonant sounds using IPA symbols. They will also be acquainted with the distinguishing features of both consonants and vowels, as well as syllable structure and division. The course touches upon pronunciation differences between main English accents and provides useful examples from some world languages. The concept of stress is also tackled with view to its effect on rhythm. Furthermore, learners are familiarized with the main aspects of connected speech and their effect on pronunciation. The course also discusses the functions of intonation and the use of different intonation patterns, and touches upon the graphophonemics of spelling-pronunciation relations.