Academic Year/course:
2023/24
416 - Degree in English
27821 - English Phonetics and Phonology II
Syllabus Information
Academic year:
2023/24
Subject:
27821 - English Phonetics and Phonology II
Faculty / School:
103 - Facultad de Filosofía y Letras
Degree:
416 - Degree in English
ECTS:
6.0
Year:
2
Semester:
First semester
Subject type:
Compulsory
Module:
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1. General information
The main aim of the course is to delve deeper into the study of contemporary English pronunciation (General British) following on from its counterpart in the First Year, 27816 Fonética y Fonología del Inglés I, but incorporating suprasegmental features (nuclear stress and intonation), the allophonic variation of consonants and vowels, and aspects of phonotactics and syllabic structure. This approach is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 4, 5, 10, 16, and 17 of the United Nations' Agenda 2030 (https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/), facilitated by the acquisition of the learning outcomes of the course. To enroll in this course, it is recommended to have passed 27816 Fonética y Fonología del Inglés I and possess a B2.2 level of English proficiency.
2. Learning results
In order to pass this course, the student must demonstrate the following outcomes:
The student ...
- Can define, explain, and exemplify the characteristics of the suprasegmental level of study of English pronunciation.
- Can describe and classify the allophonic variation of English consonants and vowels.
- Knows how to write allophonic transcriptions of words and complete texts.
- Can define and describe the types of lexical stress, identify stress position, and use it in words and sentences.
- Can describe, identify, and produce prosodic variations or alterations in spoken language.
- Can describe, classify, identify, and use other suprasegmental features and units (syllable, rhythm, intonation, cadence).
- Can describe and exemplify the main phonetic and phonological differences between English and Spanish.
- Can explain the pedagogical implications of the main phonetic and phonological differences between English and Spanish.
- Knows how to utilize computer-based and new technology tools as self-learning skills for the study of English pronunciation for Spanish speakers.
- Knows how to apply computer-based and new technology tools used in the study of English pronunciation to teaching Spanish speakers.
- Can describe and use the main British accent or pronunciation model: the General British or GB accent.
3. Syllabus
- Allophony: Phonetic features and processes that characterise English consonants and vowels; graphic representation in allophonic transcription.
- The Syllable: General aspects in its definition. Phonological definitions (syllable structure; phonotactics). Syllabification (John Wells’s ‘English Syllabification Rule’).
- Stress (word stress). Levels, patterns, and placement rules.
- Accent (nuclear or sentence stress). Placement of accent. Beat adjustment, classes of beat adjustment. The nuclear stress rule (NSR): Broad Focus. Exceptions to the NSR: Narrow Focus.
- Intonation: The intonation unit (the Tone Unit). Structure of intonation (Tonality, Tonicity, Tone). Functions of intonation (attitudinal, grammatical, accentual, discourse). Uses of intonation (meanings of the Tones).
4. Academic activities
The course requires 150 hours of student work distributed as follows:
Directed activities, consisting of (1) lectures where the topics of the course program will be addressed, and the students will be trained in tasks of definition, description, or classification related to the learning outcomes, and (2) practical classes and group seminars for the resolution of exercises, problems, cases, and allophonic transcriptions related to the program.
Supervised activities in the form of group and individual tutorials for additional explanation and discussion and task monitoring.
Independent work for the preparation of directed activities.
Assessment: Theoretical-practical tests (exam and course assignment).
All activities will be conducted in English.
5. Assessment system
1st Assessment Call: Comprehensive evaluation consisting of (1) a written exam with a theoretical-practical nature (80% of the final mark) based on auditory tasks, allophonic transcription, and various exercises (locating and explaining lexical stress and syllabification; intonation (subsystems; structure of the tone unit); short answers to theory questions in various formats), and (2) the development of an individual written work in English with a theoretical-practical nature (20% of the final mark), or course assignment, based on the completion of an allophonic transcription and the resolution of various applied exercises. The mark from the assignment will only be taken into account if the exam is passed with at least 50% of its score.
2nd Assessment Call: Identical to the 1st Assessment Call.
In both Assessment Calls, the contents and aspects of phonetics and phonology of the English language (General British) will be evaluated according to the following criteria:
- Correct comprehension and identification of advanced phonetic-phonological concepts and processes.
- Adequate use of a theoretical framework and a suitable and well-defined methodology for phonetic-phonological analysis.
- Accurate transcription (especially allophonic) and phonetic-phonological comments developed clearly, precisely, and illustratively.
- Adequate written expression in the English language at the Second Year level.
All tests (exam and course assignment) will be conducted in English.