Phonetics Syllabus      

 
Teaching Unit

Fundamental

Coefficient: 1

Credit: 2

 Level: First Year

 

 Weekly time:

1h30
Aims and Objectives:

ü  Detailed and comprehensive initiation to English sound system.

ü  Providing students with the relevant literature on the English sound system.

ü  Students are introduced to the articulations of the English sounds through raising their awareness towards the differences between the articulation of the English sounds and the sounds of their mother tongue.

ü  Students’ awareness is also raised towards learning English sounds as part of a complex and dynamic process.

Learning Outcomes:

ü  Students learn vowel classification and are able to examine consonant articulation according to place, manner, and voicing.

ü  Students gain knowledge on the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) and get familiarity with both systems of phonetic transcription.
References

ü  Collins, B., &Mees, I. M. (2008) Practical phonetics and phonology. A resource book for students( 2nded) . Routledge.

ü  Gimson, A.C. (1978). An introduction to the English pronunciation of English.

ü  Iyabode, O. D. (2011). Introductory phonetics and phonology of English. Cambridge Scholars Publishing

ü  McMahon, A. (2002). An introduction to English phonology. Edinburgh University Press.

ü  O’Conor,J. D. (1991). Phonetics. London: Penguin.

ü  Roach, P. (2000).English phonetics and phonology: A practical course.
Course Content
First Semester
       I.            An Introduction to Phonetics

a.       Definition

b.      Branches of phonetics

c.       Speech organs

–          Breathing to speak

–          Air as a source for speech sounds

–          The larynx

–          Voicing

–          The pharynx

–          Palate

–          The tongue

–          The uvula

–          The lips

–          Teeth

d.      Production of speech

–          Speech mechanisms

–          The production of speech sounds

Activities

    II.            An Introduction to Vowels

a.       Definition

b.      Types of vowels

–          Monophthongs (pure vowels)

–          Diphthongs

–          Triphthongs

c.       The vowel diagram

d.      Articulation of long and short vowels

–          Long vowels

–          Short vowels

e.       Articulation of Diphthongs and Triphthongs

–          Closing diphthongs

–          Centring diphthongs

Activities

End of Semester I

First Examination
Second Semester
 III.            An Introduction to Consonants

1.      Characterization and classification

2.      Place of articulation

3.      Manner of articulation

–          Plosives

–          Fricatives

–          Affricates

–          Nasals

–          Lateral

–          Approximants

4.      Phonemes and their symbols

5.      Phonetic transcription

–          Phonemic vs phonetic transcription

Activities
End of Semester II

Second Examination
Assessment and Evaluation
Continuous Assessment

ü  Quiz andhome works, 15/15

ü  Attendance: 5/5

 Final Assessment

ü  Exam 20/20