Speech is the most important medium through which we convey our ideas, emotions and identity. We investigate the range of sounds used in the world's languages (Phonetics), and the ways they are used (Phonology). The sounds and their use are built up according to structural principles of physics, anatomy, and cognition, and thus we find some similarities, and some fascinating differences, across languages. You will learn how speech sounds are made by the human vocal tract, how they are transmitted acoustically, and how they are perceived. You will systematically describe, recognise and produce the sounds of a language, including learning to manipulate your vocal anatomy and output. You will learn the International Phonetic Alphabet, which linguists use to transcribe a wide range of speech sounds, and understand the principles behind distinguishing contextual variation from linguistically meaningful units. Computer aided phonetic analysis with open source software is introduced and basic quantificational and statistical methods explained. You will draw on these techniques in guided field or archival research. You will obtain skills in a core area of linguistics and a solid background for the study of forensic linguistics, historical linguistics, sociolinguistics, linguistic typology, and more.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
Upon Successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Describe speech sounds with correct reference to
articulatory gestures and acoustic signal;
- Transcribe a wide range of speech sounds using the
International Phonetic Alphabet, facilitating the ability to engage with any
language or language variety;
- Produce a wide range of speech sounds;
- Use software to digitally record and analyse speech
signals;
- Work with a native speaker or archived data to
reveal and characterise the speech sounds and sound system.
- Quantify vowels and tones acoustically with speech analysis software;
- Understand the relation between a detailed phonetic
representation and a linguistic representation of the distinctive sounds of a
language; and
- Undertake guided research on a topic in Phonetics or Phonology.
Indicative Assessment
3 transcription assignments (around 20 words each) (10% each, 30% total), (LO 1, 2)
Production test (around 20 words) (20%), (LO 3)
Transcription test (around 20 words) (20%), (LO 1, 2, 7)
Research project (3,500 words) (30%). (LO 4,5,6,7,8)
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
2 hours of lectures and 1 hour of tutorial per week for 13 weeks. Students are expected to undertake a further 7 hours of independent study per week over the semester (total 130 hours)
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
The textbook will be specified on Wattle, and additional readings provided there.
Preliminary Reading
The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Language, Chapters 22-30
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
If you are a domestic graduate coursework or international student you will be required to pay tuition fees. Tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 1
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are an undergraduate student and have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). You can find your student contribution amount for each course at Fees. Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2015 | $2604 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2015 | $4146 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
Second Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1265 | 20 Jul 2015 | 07 Aug 2015 | 31 Aug 2015 | 30 Oct 2015 | In Person | N/A |
