The spoken languages of the world show fascinating diversity in the types of speech sounds that are used and the ways these are organised to encode meaning. We investigate the range of sounds used in the world's languages and how these are produced by the human vocal tract, transmitted acoustically, and perceived by listeners (Phonetics), and the ways speech sounds are systematically organised within and across languages (Phonology). You will gain practical training in how to articulate and perceive different speech sounds and transcribe them using the International Phonetic alphabet, and learn about relevant aspects of anatomy, physics and cognition. You will also be introduced to computer aided phonetic analysis using open source software, and methods of data collection for phonetic and phonological research. You will gain experience in applying principles of phonological analysis to describe and represent distinctions and distributional patterns in the sound systems of different languages, and undertake detailed research on a specific language. This course will provide you with skills in two core subdisciplines of linguistics and a foundation for studies in fields such as forensic linguistics, historical linguistics, sociolinguistics, linguistic typology, language acquisition, and speech pathology.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. produce and perceive a wide range of speech sounds, and transcribe them using the International Phonetic Alphabet;
2. describe speech sounds with correct reference to articulatory gestures and the acoustic signal;
3. use software to undertake acoustic analyses of audio-recorded speech data;
4. apply principles of phonological analysis to identify distinctive sounds and their alternations; and
5. characterise the speech sounds and sound system of a language through analysis of primary data.

Research-Led Teaching

The course content is informed by the convenor's research expertise in the phonetics and phonology of a diverse range of languages.

Required Resources

There is no single textbook for this course. Required weekly readings will be made available via Wattle.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• written comments
• verbal comments
• feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Introduction to phonetics and phonology
2	Airstream mechanisms and phonation
3	Consonant place and manner	In-class quiz #1
4	Vowels and vowel-like articulations	In-class quiz #2
5	Syllables and prosody	Transcription testIn-class quiz #3
6	Acoustic phonetics	In-class quiz #4
7	Phonemic analysis and phonological processes	Production testIn-class quiz #5
8	Distinctive features and natural classes	In-class quiz #6
9	Phonological rules and features	In-class quiz #7
10	Morphology-phonology interface	In-class quiz #8
11	Non-linear phonology	In-class quiz #9
12	Data collection for phonetic and phonological research; Course summary	In-class quiz #10(Analytical report due beginning of Exam Period)

Tutorial Registration

Tutorial registration will be via MyTimetable. See Wattle for more details.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Learning Outcomes
In-class quizzes	30 %	1,2,3,4
Transcription test	10 %	1,2
Production test	10 %	1
Analytical report	50 %	1,2,3,4,5

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines , which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Extenuating Circumstances Application
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using 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. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Skills website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Assessment Task 1

In-class quizzes

Details of task: From Week 3 through to Week 12 there will be a weekly in-class quiz focusing on material covered in the preceding 1-2 weeks (worth 3% each week, 10 weeks). The quiz will include various question types, including multiple-choice and short response questions. Depending on the topic, some questions will require you to undertake specific tasks in order to answer them, such as performing acoustic measurements on an audio-recorded language sample, or describing and analysing specific pattern phonological patterns in transcribed data. Each weekly quiz will take between 5 and 10 minutes during your tutorial time, and some of the quizzes will require you to consult specific provided materials as preparation.

Criteria for assessment: You will be graded on the accuracy of your responses to the questions.

Value: 30%

Due: Weeks 3-12

(See weekly assessment information on Wattle for more information.)

Assessment Task 2

Transcription test

Details of task: You will hear approximately twenty words being produced, and you will transcribe them using the International Phonetic Alphabet.

Criteria for assessment: You will be graded on the accuracy of your transcription.

Value: 10%

Due: Week 5

(See assessment information document on Wattle for more information.)

Assessment Task 3

Production test

Details of task: You will be presented with approximately twenty words written in the International Phonetic Alphabet, and you will pronounce the words aloud.

Criteria for assessment: You will be graded on the accuracy of your articulation of the words. Your production will be recorded, so that the performance can be reviewed.

Value: 10%

Due: Week 7

(See assessment information document on Wattle for more information.)

Assessment Task 4

Analytical report

Details of task: For your analytical report, you will be provided with a large set of audio-recorded spoken language data, and you will be required to transcribe the data using the International Phonetic Alphabet and to then systematically describe the sound system of the language with supporting evidence from your transcribed examples as well as acoustic measurements.

Length: 2500 words

Criteria for assessment: You will be graded on your ability to accurately transcribe speech sounds and perform acoustic measurements, and your ability to develop a systematic analysis and description of the sound system of a language.

Value: 50%

Due: Beginning of examination period

(See assessment information document on Wattle for more information.)

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

• Late submission not permitted. If submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date is not permitted, a mark of 0 will be awarded.
• Late submission permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 5 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Access and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents all ANU students