Phonetics

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

170 hours

Some prior study in Linguistics & Applied Linguistics is desirable, e.g. a first year LING subject.

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

This subject involves the study of the sound distinctions occurring in human languages, such as basic articulatory, acoustic and auditory phonetics. Students should develop skills in perceiving, articulating, and transcribing speech sounds. Students should also learn how to interpret sound spectrograms and how acoustic phonetic techniques can be used to supplement traditional phonetic transcription.

On successful completion of this subject, students should:

• understand and be able to identify the different sounds of the world’s languages;
• become familiar with phonetic transcription and basic acoustic phonetics;
• deepen their understanding of language and phonetic theory through exposure to a range of different speech sound contrasts used in a wide variety of languages;
• broaden and apply practical research skills utilizing a variety of speech resources and develop awareness of intellectual integrity and research ethics in phonetic research;
• further hone analytical skills through ear-training and transcription training;
• participate in individual and group-based data-related activities within and outside the classroom.

• Assignment 1: Phonetic Transcription 1 due Thursday 10th April (Week 6) [20%]
• Assignment 2: Phonetic Transcription 2 due Thursday 12th May (Week 11) [20%]
• Phonetic Transcription test during the examination period [10%]
• Phonetic Production test in week 12 [10%]
• Final Examination during the examination period [40%]

Hurdle requirement: Students must attend a minimum of 75% of tutorials in order to pass this subject. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.

Note: Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per working day. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked.

“A course in phonetics” Peter Ladefoged and Keith Johnson 2015

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

• Bachelor of Biomedicine
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Environments
• Bachelor of Music
• Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Engineering

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

Students who successfully complete this subject should have:

• acquired skill in observation and attention to detail through tutorial and assignment preparation, and examination revision.
• strengthened their computer literacy through use of IT in acoustic and auditory analyses of spoken language.
• improved their ability to communicate knowledge intelligibly and economically through tutorial preparation and participation and assignment preparation.