Describing the Phonetic Structures of Languages (MSc) (P01484)

? Credit Points : 10 ? SCQF Level : 11 ? Acronym : PPL-P-DPSLPLING

This course will examine ways of describing the sounds of the world's languages, and will test them by looking at a great deal of data from different languages. We will begin by considering why we want to describe the world's languages. Then we will consider different techniques for describing phonetics structures. There are two traditional ways of doing this: (1) in terms of the set of categories symbolized by the International Phonetic Alphabet; (2) in terms of phonological features. Another possibility, (3), is Articulatory Phonology. There has been very little classificatory work using this technique, but it has the advantage over the other techniques in that it is testable in more rigorous terms. We will examine the different techniques by looking at the data reported in Ladefoged and Maddieson Sounds of the World's Languages and searching for new data reported in the last 10 years. We will start with an overview of classificatory systems, noting that one of their major characteristics is that they impose a discrete set of divisions on what are often continuous phonetic parameters.

Entry Requirements

none

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Language Sciences, (School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences, Schedule I)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : Postgraduate

? Delivery Period : Not being delivered

? Contact Teaching Time : 2 hour(s) per week for 7 weeks

All of the following classes

Type	Day	Start	End	Area
Lecture	Tuesday	12:10	13:00	Central
Lecture	Friday	12:10	13:00	Central

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

This course on the description of speech sounds will inspire students of linguistics to get involved in language documentation, and will help them acquire the knowledge and expertise that is essential to such efforts.

Assessment Information

Coursework - Students will be expected to participate in the class discussions by e-mailing to the lecturer at least 48 hourse before the relevant class a couple of questions or comments concerning the reading assigned for that week. These weekly submissions weigh in for 33% of the overall mark.

Individual project paper - The remainder of the mark (67%) is determined on the basis of an individual project paper.