Topic 2: Sounds of Language: Phonetics and Phonology

Sounds of Language: Phonetics and Phonology 

image source: http://www.uiowa.edu/~acadtech/phonetics/

Focus

This topic introduces you to the sounds of language and to the organs of the vocal tract in which they are made. You will learn how consonants are made, how vowel sounds are made and classified, and about properties of speech other than vowels and consonants. You will also be introduced to phonology, and to the ways in which sounds relate to each other in a single language. This topic ends with a brief look at transcription, the technique used for writing speech down. 

Reading Material 

Read McGregor, Chapter 2. 

There is a huge amount of detail in this chapter, and it is impossible to assimilate all at once. Read through quickly, and then slowly make sure you understand the main points. You will have to come back to this chapter many times before you will be able to use the terminology with ease. You can expect to re-read sections several times when answering the study questions.

Study Questions 

1. Study the consonant chart at the top of page 31 of the textbook. English has 24 consonants: can you find them all here? You can expect to spend a long time looking up the technical terms used to label the rows and the columns of the chart. If your first language is not English, can you find the consonants of your language on the chart? Does your language have the same consonants as English? 
2. What is the difference between a vowel and a consonant? 
3. Many people say that there are five vowels in English. Do you agree? To answer this question properly, you will have to make a distinction between a letter of the alphabet and a speech sound. 
4. What are tone and stress, and in what way are these important in the study of human language?
5. Why do linguists make a distinction between ‘phonetics’ and ‘phonology’? Why is it necessary to talk about phonemes and speech sounds?
6. Look at the example at the bottom of page 48 of the textbook. What is it about, and what is the main point being made? 

Topic 1: Introduction to Linguistics

Introduction to Linguistics 

Source of Image:

http://www.mta.ca/community/academics/faculty_of_arts/modern_languages_and_literatures/linguistics/linguistics/


Focus

The introductory section raises the question ‘what is linguistics?’ and discusses the status of linguistics as a science, and goes on to list the subject matter of linguistics. Attention is paid to the linguistic sign, to language as a sign system, and to the design features of human language. Spoken and written language modes are complemented by a discussion of sign language. The introduction concludes with a brief outline of different 

approaches to linguistics from a historical perspective. 

Reading Material 

Read McGregor, Chapter 1. 

Read the chapter quickly to get a rough idea of what it is about. Then go through it again slowly, making sure you understand the key points being made. You may have to read certain sections several times before you clearly understand the meaning. Do not worry too much if there are still things you do not understand properly after several readings; but make a note of these with the page reference. 

Study Questions 

1. What is it that linguists study? Do you think linguistics is a science? Give reasons for your answer. 
2. What is a sign, and what do signs have to do with language? Make sure you understand the meaning of the terms syntagmatic and paradigmatic. Why are the concepts behind these terms important? 
3. Describe Hockett’s design features. Are there any other design features common to all human languages? 
4. Linguists insist that speech is logically prior to writing. Why? 
5. What is the difference between a ‘formal’ and a ‘functional’ approach to language?
6. What have you learnt from this chapter that you did not know before? Write down on a piece of paper or on your computer a list of things you have learnt. Make another list of things you have come across in this chapter which you do not quite understand. Come back to this second list as you proceed through the course. 

STUDY GUIDE: HBET 1103 Introduction to General Linguistics

COURSE INTRODUCTION 

Synopsis 

This course introduces the student to the more accessible parts of contemporary linguistic theory, and to some of the methods used to analyse language. It covers the ‘core’ areas of language, including speech sounds (phonetics and phonology), grammar (morphology and syntax) and meaning (semantics and pragmatics). The course also includes interdisciplinary studies in sociolinguistics, psycholinguistics, language acquisition, and the biological foundations of language. 

Aims
The general aims of the course are to provide students with:
1. The basic tools required to handle language data, and
2. The basic knowledge and expertise to discuss language issues in the
following areas:

• The basic orientations, concerns and concepts in linguistics; 
• The classification of speech sounds; 
• The main types of morpheme; 
• The syntactic structure of sentences; 
• Different types of meaning, including literal and non-literal meaning;
• Social variation in language; 
• The relationship between language and thought; 
• Milestones in first language acquisition; and 
• Animal communication systems. 

Outcomes
By the completion of this course, it is expected that learners will be able to:

1. Demonstrate an understanding on how language is analysed at different levels; 
2. Attempt their own annotation and analysis, e.g. make a phonetic transcription or draw a tree diagram to represent the syntax of a sentence; and 
3. Discuss language issues with confidence in their own expertise. 

Set Textbook 

• McGregor, William B. (2009). Linguistics: An introduction. London: Continuum.

Additional References 

• Behrens, Susan J. et al. (2010). Language in the real world: An introduction to linguistics. New York: Routledge.
• Collins, Beverley et al. (2008). Practical phonetics and phonology (2nd ed.). London; New York: Routledge.
• Holmes, J. (2008). An introduction to sociolinguistics. Harlow, England: Pearson. 
• Steinberg, D. et al. (2006). An Introduction to psycholinguistics (2nd ed.). Harlow, England: Pearson. 
• Tomlinson, Brian, ed. (2007). Language acquisition and development: Studies of learners of first and other languages. London: Continuum.

ASSESSMENT

Components

1. Assignment – 30% 

2. Final Examination – 70% (3 hours) 

• Part A: Answer all 5 short-answer questions. 
• Part B: Answer 3 of 5 essay-type questions. 
• Part C: Answer 1 of 2 essay-type questions. 

What is Linguistics

The following is a presentation by Edi Brata from Mathla'ul University. The original presentation can be accessed from slideshare.

Intro. to Linguistics_2&3 Linguistics and Language from Edi Brata

English Studies Online: General Linguistics Introduction

English Studies Online: General Linguistics Introduction: Here is the first introductory class for General Linguistics course.

The Tutor

Zainal Abidin Sayadi

zainals@gmail.com

013-7486098