English Phonetics and Phonology 3223-1LF2A
The course is intended for 1st year students with English as the second language of specialization language (C). The course focuses on the descriptive aspects of English phonetics, providing the theoretical background to the Pronunciation course (Practical English) and enabling the students to control their pronunciation in a conscious way. The course covers the description of the phonetic system of English, both at the segmental level (the classification of monophthongs, diphthongs and consonants), and the suprasegmental one (word and sentence stress, the rhythm, intonation, phonostylistics). The course also discusses basic aspects of phonological analysis (fundamental notions and the general description of contemporary phonological theories). Differences between the main accents of English (in particular – standard British and standard American), as well as major aspects of English-Polish contrastive phonetics are also discussed. As a result, participants should be able to improve their pronunciation and avoid typical errors resulting from interference, as well as analyse and correct their own students’ errors, if they choose a teaching career in the future. Moreover, the course emphasises the (phono)stylistic variety of English, the changes it is subject to, as well as the ways of improving one’s phonetic competence with the use of up-to-date sources. For this purpose, participants are encouraged to use recommended Internet sources.
The course covers the following topics:
1. Linguistics and its branches. Phonetics vs. phonology. The types of phonetics and phonology.
2. Articulation: the anatomy and physiology of the vocal tract.
3. The phoneme: mentalistic and distributional approach. The types of distribution. English allophones.
4. Spelling vs. pronunciation. Transcription and its types.
5. English monophthongs, diphthongs and consonants: classification criteria.
6. Phonotactics and syllable structure.
7. The rhythm. Strong and weak forms. Word and sentence stress.
8. Intonation: types and functions of major intonation contours.
9. Phonostylistic processes (connected speech).
10. The varieties of English.
11. Contrastive Polish-English phonetics.
12. Aspects of phonological analysis: deep and surface structure, derivation, phonological rules. The overview of contemporary
phonological theories.
Course workload:
Classroom activities – 30 hrs = 1 ECTS
Self-study – 60 hrs = 2 ECTS, including:
- preparation for classes (assigned reading, transcription and other homework tasks) – 50 hrs
- preparation for tests – 10 hrs
Total: 90 hrs (3 ECTS)
Type of course
Prerequisites (description)
Learning outcomes
KNOWLEDGE:
The student is expected to:
- know the characteristics of the English phonetic system: classification criteria for phonemes and main suprasegmental aspects (S_W05)
- understand basic linguistic terminology in the field of phonetics and phonology (S_W08)
- know and understand the relations between phonetics, phonology and other branches of linguistics (S_W01)
- know the differences between standard British and American phonological systems (S_W11)
SKILLS:
The student is expected to:
- recognise and describe pronunciation errors typical of Polish learners of English (K_U04, S_U06)
- recognise two main accents of English (British vs. American) (K_U05)
SOCIO-CULTURAL COMPETENCIES:
The student is expected to:
- appreciate the importance of correct pronunciation in communication and professional life (K_K03)
- be aware of the differences in the phonological systems of various languages, in particular – Polish and English (K_K04)
- understand the need/necessity of improving his/her pronunciation and is prepared for this (S_K01, S_K05)
Assessment criteria
Assessment methods:
- Mid-term test (30%)
- Final test (70%)
Assessment criteria:
Written tests are evaluated on the basis of: students’ knowledge of phonological terminology and rules, the ability to read and use the phonetic transcripton of English, basic knowledge of main English accents, as well as major differences between the phonological systems of Polish vs. English.
The overall result is established in accordance with the following scale:
55-69% = 3
70-74% = 3+
75-84% = 4
85-89% = 4+
90-100% = 5
Absences: Students are allowed three unexcused absences
Bibliography
Obligatory sources:
Roach, P. 2001. English Phonetics and Phonology (3rd edition). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Sobkowiak, W. 2004. English Phonetics for Poles (3rd edition). Poznań: Wydawnictwo Poznańskie.
Szpyra-Kozłowska, J., W. Sobkowiak, 2005. Workbook in English Phonetics. Lublin: Wydawnictwo UMCS.
Additional sources:
Ashby, M., Maidment J. 2005. Introducing phonetic science. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Bałutowa, B. 1965. Wymowa angielska dla wszystkich. Warszawa: Wiedza Powszechna.
Cruttenden, A. 2014. Gimson’s pronunciation of English (8th edition). London: Routledge.
Janicki, K. 1977. Elements of British and American English. Warszawa: PWN.
Jones, D. 2006. Cambridge English Pronouncing Dictionary. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Ladefoged, P. 2001. A Course in Phonetics (4th edition). Boston: Heinle & Heinle.
Reszkiewicz, A. 1982. Correct Your English Pronunciation. Warszawa: PWN.
Rubach, J. 1982. Analysis of Phonological Structures. Warszawa: PWN.
Rubach, J. 1986. The Sound System: Phonology [in:] A. Kaznowski (ed.), Introduction to Linguistics. Warszawa: University of Warsaw
Press, 57-75.
Wells, J. C. 1990. Pronunciation Dictionary. Harlow: Longman.
Internet sources:
http://accent.gmu.edu/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/voices/recordings/index.shtml
http://cubedictionary.org/
http://www.phonetics.ucla.edu/course/contents.html
http://soundsofspeech.uiowa.edu/index.html#english
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: