Sound Patterns in Human Language (250-0-20)

Instructors

Jennifer S Cole
2016 Sheridan Road, Rm 103
Office Hours: By appt

Meeting Info

Fisk Hall 217: Tues, Thurs 3:30PM - 4:50PM

Overview of class

Linguistics 250 is an introduction to the sound structure of language. We will learn to describe speech sounds in the three domains of speech: the articulatory domain (how speech sounds are produced in the human vocal tract), the acoustic domain (their form in the acoustic medium), and the perceptual domain (how listeners process the incoming speech signal). We will learn to recognize the ways in which speech sounds pattern in language to convey meaning, and the ways in which these patterns are similar and different across the languages of the world. Finally, circumstances and time permitting, we will also learn about current speech technology as it applies to computerized speech synthesis and speech recognition.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

1. Describe how the human vocal tract functions to create speech sounds in human languages, and recognize and describe the articulatory characteristics of speech sounds.
2. Describe the essential acoustic characteristics of human speech sound, and to identify and measure those characteristics in digitized speech.
3. Recognize the symbols of the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) and their associated speech sounds, and to use the IPA for phonetic transcription of spoken English.
4. Recognize and describe the sound inventories of individual languages, and their sound patterns, in terms of phonemes, allophones and syllables. Analyze sound patterns using formal (symbolic) rules.
5. Recognize and describe how phonetic and phonological models of sound structure are applied in the development of computer technologies for speech recognition and speech synthesis.

Teaching Method

Lectures/discussions, small group activities, peer feedback, homework.

Evaluation Method

Homework, projects, quizzes, exams

Class Materials (Required)

Title: The Sounds of Language: An Introduction to Phonetics and Phonology, 2nd edition. Elizabeth C. Zsiga, March 2024. ISBN: 978-1-119-87848-3.

Class Attributes

Natural Sciences Foundational Discipline
Natural Sciences Distro Area

Enrollment Requirements

Enrollment Requirements: Registration is restricted for Linguistic Majors, Minors, and Graduate Students until the end of preregistration. After which any students that meet the prerequisites will be able to enroll.

Associated Classes

DIS - University Hall 418: Fri 9:00AM - 9:50AM

DIS - Frances Searle Building 2378: Fri 10:00AM - 10:50AM

DIS - Kresge Centennial Hall 2-331: Fri 11:00AM - 11:50AM

DIS - University Hall 412: Fri 12:00PM - 12:50PM