Phonetics for Voice & Speech

Description

1. Knowledge and Understanding 1.1 Define the anatomy and physiology of speech. 1.2 Describe airstream mechanisms and phonation. 1.3 List details on features of speech articulation (consonants and vowels, place and manner of articulation, prolongability, etc). 1.4 Identify segments of speech (obstruent consonants, sonorant consonants, and vowels). 1.5 Examine the multiple articulations, co-articulation and parameters of speech (double articulation, secondary articulation, co-articulation, and parametric phonetics) 1.6 Recognize the suprasegments of speech (stress, pitch, intonation, voice quality, rhythm, length, and syllable juncture). 1.7 Discuss the multiple perceptions of speech. 1.8 Observe and describe the principles and methods of phonetic transcription. 1.9 Review the acoustic characteristics of speech. 1.10 Interpret the basics of perceptual phonetics. 2. Intellectual Skills 2.1 Identify and overcome physical and vocal habits that interfere with the natural voice and speech. 2.2 Distinguish vocal fillers (“uh,” “um,” “like”) and issues of rapid speech rate, breathlessness, and monotonous delivery. 2.3 Recognize the importance of vocal resonators for effective coherence and placement to express themselves authentically. 2.4 Produce a strong and resonant sound and creating an emotional response. 2.5 Employ vocal range for full vocal expressiveness through energy, pitch variety, rhythm, pacing, melody, and pauses. 2.6 Develop vocal flexibility to allow unhindered personal expression within the dictates of standard spoken English 2.7 Evaluate the quality of their voice with special focus on correct pronunciation, projection, diction, as well as control of tone and optimal pitch. 2.8 Apply exercises targeted at the muscles of the mouth and tongue to attain proper English pronunciation. 2.9 Integrate practical relaxation, breathing techniques and vocal exercises that benefit a strong oral performance. 2.10 Associate voice and dialect experience to text. 3. Practical and Professional Skills 3.1 Develop an audience-centered speaking persona with a natural speaking style. 3.2 Produce a compelling voice with the appropriate breath, resonance, and articulation for clearer speech and a memorable impact. 3.3 Employ different parameters of their vocal tract to experiment with character voices for auditions. 3.4 Summarize major vocal problems that hinder clear speech and projection (e.g. relaxation, stress release, and accent). 3.5 Build rapport through oral performances in versatile speaking situations, namely pitches to clients, prospects, or investors; sales presentations; business meetings, updates, and panel discussions; keynotes; academic convocations and commencements; TED Talks; media appearances; political campaigns, debates, and press conferences; and others. 3.6 Analyze and evaluate voice projection, audibility, articulation, vocal pitch and variety. 4. General and Transferable skills 4.1 Identify, and discuss pronunciation problems specific to Arabic-speaking learners of English. 4.2 Assess personal strengths and weaknesses in their vocal choices. 4.3 Analyze and evaluate their own and others’ oral speeches in different settings. 4.4 Synthesize and deliver a variety of oral presentations with the right intonation, rhythm, pitch, and stress. 4.5 Employ a confident and rich voice with executive presence in public and private interactions. 4.6 Apply the features of speech articulation in the identification and analysis of regional/social dialects that are subject to stylistic variation. 4.7 Write a short term paper elaborating on a phonetic topic of their choice, of close relevance to voice & speech. 4.8 Give an oral presentation on a selected topic relevant to phonetics for voice & speech.

Program

Media Department

Objectives

• This course concentrates on the phonetic methods of creating proper articulation, vocal tone, pitch, pace and resonance; the practical application of breathing, relaxation, tongue and lip placement; and how these elements pertain to voice and speech. It emphasizes exploration of effective diction, pronunciation and clear vocal expression, applying learned principles to the text and its aural equivalent. One of the major goals of this course is to instill in the students an awareness of the patterns and styles of speech that are acceptable and, in some instances, demanded in the real world.