SE1336: Sounds of Speech

School Language and Communication
Department Code ENCAP
Module Code SE1336
External Subject Code 100318
Number of Credits 20
Level L6
Language of Delivery English
Module Leader Professor Gerard O'Grady
Semester Spring Semester
Academic Year 2013/4

Outline Description of Module

Pronunciation is an essential component of language as spoken communication. We distinguish between phonetics which studies the physical processes by which sounds are made, and phonology which is the study of how sounds function and pattern in systems that represent words, phrases, grammar and discourse.

The module is intended to cover a presentation of the role that pronunciation plays in our society and culture, including poetry, advertising and entertainment, and the description of the consonants, vowels and stress patterns of English words, the simplification processes (assimilation, etc) of phrases, rhythm and intonation, in Southern England Standard Pronunciation (formerly known as ‘RP’) but also with reference to differences in other accents.

On completion of the module a student should be able to

On completion of the module a student should be able to:

  1.  know how all the consonants, vowels and word stress patterns are produced and patterned, how rhythm affects the pronunciation of words in phrases, and how the systems of tonality, tonicity and tone in English intonation are produced and how they function in the development of discourse. They should also be able to apply this knowledge to an additional subject of their choosing, in the form of an essay;
  2. appreciate the place and roles of pronunciation from social, cultural and communicative points of view, the nature of phonemes, and the various differences between accents, and the way intonation indicates the organization of information in discourse;
  3. handle all the relevant phonemic symbols for English and be able to transcribe words phonemically;
  4. Understand the systems of intonation and be able to discuss their contribution to meaning in interactive discourse;
  5. Understand how to theoretically classify speech sounds both at the phonemic level and the more abstract distinctive feature level.

How the module will be delivered

Timetabled sessions include2 lectures and 1 seminar per week. During seminars, you will be required to work some of the time in groups learning how to transcribe and on occasion to lead discussion.Lectures are usually supplemented with PowerPoint slides and handouts summarising content at a reasonable level of detail. These are usually made available on Learning Central within 24 hours of the session. Audio and video areused in this module. Transcripts of all relevant features discussed are provided where the texts are analysed in detail or are a core element of the lecture/seminar.

Skills that will be practised and developed

In this module students will practice and develop their abilities to:

  1. transcribe speech phonemically;
  2. transcribe speech phonetically;
  3. produce formal academic prose;
  4. co-operate on tasks in small sized groups;
  5. critically peer assess their fellow students’ work;
  6. apply knowledge to a practical problem
  7. the module is also relevant to all the employability pathways

How the module will be assessed

The module is assessed by coursework and exam.

 

Type of assessment

Title

Duration (exam) /

Word length (essay)

Approx. date of assessment

Coursework

50

 

1600 words

 

Exam

50

 

2 hours

 

 

The coursework examines the theoretical understanding of the subject, the ability to critically evaluate various claims in the literature and apply knowledge to real world situations. The exam tests (1) knowledge of the physical reality of speech sounds;   (2) the ability to transcribe and (3) knowledge of the communicative situation of intonation in discourse.

 

As well as the summative assessments listed above there are a number of formative non-assessed exercises. Around week 9 students will be given a mock exam, identical in form and difficulty to the real exam, which they are asked to complete at home. The mock exam will be marked and discussed at a subsequent seminar. In addition there are three interactive self assessed quizzes available from Learning Centre which should be taken in the first four weeks.

 

The module is assessed according to the Assessment Criteria set out in the English Language and Communication Course Guide. Otherwise, there are no academic or competence standards which limit the availability of adjustments or alternative assessments for students with disabilities.

Assessment Breakdown

Type % Title Duration(hrs)
Exam - Spring Semester 50 Sounds Of Speech 2
Written Assessment 50 Coursework N/A

Syllabus content

Pronunciation as point of public interest;

Brief survey of the way that English speech sounds are produced and heard;

Spelling and pronunciation;

Description of the consonants, vowels and stress patterns of English words;

Phonemes and Distinctive features;

Simplifications and rhythm in phrases;

How accents differ within Britain and Ireland;

The use of speech sound, rhythm and intonation in poetry, advertising and entertainment.

Introduction to intonation in discourse

Essential Reading and Resource List

There is a required textbook for transcription:

Tench, P. (2011). Transcribing the Sound of English. Cambridge: CUP.

 I also strongly recommend

O’Grady, G. (2013). Key Concepts in Phonetics and Phonology: London: Palgrave.

 The main other readings are:

Brazil, D. (1997) The Communicative Value of Intonation in English. Cambridge: CUP

Collins, B & Mees, I M (2008) Practical Phonetics and Phonology 2nd edition. London: Routledge

Gimson, A C (2001) Gimson’s Pronunciation of English 6th ed. London: Arnold

Kreidler, C W (2004) The Pronunciation of English 2nd ed. Oxford: Blackwell

Roach, P (2000) English Phonetics and Phonology 3rd ed. Cambridge: CUP

Tench, P (1996) The Intonation Systems of English. London: Cassell

Wells, J C (2000) Longman Pronunciation Dictionary. 2nd ed. Harlow: Longman

Wells, J C (2006). English Intonation an Introduction. Cambridge: CUP

 You should contact the module leader as early as possible if you will require readings in an alternative format.

 


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