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2019/20 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

LING2330 Phonetics

20 creditsClass Size: 60

Module manager: Leendert Plug
Email: l.plug@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2019/20

Pre-requisite qualifications

Students are required to have completed one of the following modules, or equivalent:
- MODL1060 Language: Structure and Sound
- ENGL1021 Analysing English
Students who have not completed MODL1060 Language: Structure and Sound should be prepared to do some additional reading to familiarise themselves with concepts built on in this module. Chapter 2 of Genetti’s How languages work: An introduction to language and linguistics (Cambridge University Press, 2014) is a good starting point.

This module is approved as a discovery module

Module summary

Phonetics is the scientific study of how speech is produced and perceived. This module looks at how the human vocal mechanism works to produce the sounds we observe in the world’s languages. Students learn how to describe and classify speech sounds on the basis of their articulatory characteristics. Some basic concepts in acoustic phonetic analysis are introduced. Students learn how to use the International Phonetic Alphabet to transcribe speech sounds, and are trained in the production and perception of the sounds associated with the Alphabet’s symbols. This allows students to discover how rich and varied the sound patterns of the world’s languages are, and gain strong control over their own vocal mechanism. Students also undertake a small project involving acoustic analysis. Students are expected to have been introduced to phonetics on a Level 1 module in linguistics or English language before enrolling on this module. Having completed this module, students can go on to do a more advanced phonetics module at Level 3.

Objectives

This module aims to:
(1) introduce students to detailed articulatory properties of speech sounds
(2) develop an understanding of how articulatory phonetics informs the classification and transcription of speech sounds
(3) familiarise students with the International Phonetic Alphabet
(4) introduce students to the acoustic properties of speech sounds
(5) guide students in identifying speech sounds in acoustic analysis
(6) develop students’ skills in producing, perceiving and transcribing speech sounds

Learning outcomes
On completion of this module, students should be able to demonstrate:
(1) an understanding of how the human vocal tract produces speech sounds
(2) an understanding of how sounds differ in terms of acoustic properties
(3) familiarity with the basics of the acoustic transmission of speech
(4) knowledge of the principles of the International Phonetic Alphabet
(5) an ability to produce a range of speech sounds from the world’s languages
(6) an ability to perceive and transcribe speech sounds from the world’s languages using the International Phonetic Alphabet


Syllabus

This module is concerned with articulatory phonetics, that is, the ways in which the vocal tract can convert aerodynamic energy into speech, and with the acoustic properties of speech sounds. Some consideration is also given to auditory phonetics. A central aim of the module is to appreciate how articulatory, acoustic and auditory properties are inter-related and constrain each other. Students are introduced to the IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet), its transcription conventions, and its principles of the description and classification of speech sounds. In the seminars students practise the production, perception and transcription of familiar and unfamiliar sounds, and discuss exercises they have done independently. Students also learn to use speech analysis software and to identify spectrographic characteristics of different consonant and vowel sounds.

Teaching methods

Delivery typeNumberLength hoursStudent hours
Lecture101.0010.00
Practical101.0010.00
Private study hours180.00
Total Contact hours20.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)200.00

Private study

Students are expected to devote 180 hours of private study time to this module, with the following suggested breakdown:
- Preparing for lectures (background reading): (10x4=) 40 hours
- Preparing for seminars (practical exercises): (10x5=) 50 hours
- Practising sound production, perception and transcription: 25 hours
- Preparing the analysis report: 30 hours
- Preparing for the oral exam: 5 hours
- Preparing for the written exam: 30 hours

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Students are given informal feedback and individual help during seminars where relevant; the seminars are intended to have a practical focus and to be highly interactive. Students also receive written feedback on the coursework assignment before the exams.

Methods of assessment


Coursework
Assessment typeNotes% of formal assessment
Source Analysis1500 words plus research results40.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)40.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated


Exams
Exam typeExam duration% of formal assessment
Practical Exam / OSCE0 hr 15 mins20.00
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc)2 hr 00 mins40.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)60.00

The Standard exam includes an aural component (with students transcribing sounds produced by the module leader); it must therefore not be scheduled in the same room as another exam. The Oral exam is organised locally.

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 13/09/2019

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