SPTH1509 Linguistics and Phonetics 2

2016

4.5

3 x 60-minute lectures weekly
1 x 60-minute tutorial weekly

SPTH1506 - Linguistics and Phonetics 1

SPTH1507 has been successfully completed

Examination 40%; Practical Work

The topic builds on SPTH1506 Linguistics & Phonetics 1. It presents an introduction to (1) the grammatical analysis of English sentences; (2) the phonetics and phonology of English, with particular reference to connected speech and (3) the acoustic analysis of speech signals and their quantitative measurement. Issues covered include: connected speech processes, feature geometry, analysis of prosody, grammatical categories and functions, the structure of noun phrases, verb phrases, adverbials and complex sentences, sentence semantics, pragmatics, wave form and spectral analysis, source-filter theory and digital speech processing. Students will also acquire practical skills in syntactic analysis, phonetic transcription, and the measurement and analysis of speech signals using signal processing software.

The aim of this topic is to:

• present a basic knowledge of the syntax of simple and complex English sentences and the relevant linguistic terminology

• develop basic analysis skills in order to apply that knowledge in the description of such sentences

• present a basic knowledge about the phonetics of connected speech and develop basic phonetic transcription skills

• present a basic understanding of the nature of speech sounds as physical events

• enhance understanding of how linguistics and phonetics relate to other disciplines, such as psychology, sociology, anatomy, physiology, audiology, and speech pathology

• enhance appreciation of how the science of linguistics relates to other important aspects of being human.

On completion of this topic students will be able to:

• Demonstrate an introductory level of linguistic knowledge about the syntax, phonology and phonetics of connected speech by appropriate understanding and use of linguistic terminology and by the application of that knowledge to practical problem solving.

• Analyse simple and complex English sentences using basic syntactic analysis skills.

• Transcribe Australian English connected speech as it is spoken, using the appropriate International Phonetic Association symbols.

• Describe the relation of vocal tract shape and vocal tract gestures to the sound that results.

• Describe how the acoustic analysis of speech may be used to characterise

  • what distinguishes one sound from another in all normal speakers

  • what distinguishes a pathological speaker from the normal population - and in some cases one pathology from another

  • what distinguishes one individual speaker from others

  • what is 'accidental' variation

• Demonstrate basic skills in the computer-assisted manipulation, measurement and analysis of speech signals, using standard signal processing software.
• Describe how the science of linguistics relates to (a) at least one important aspect of being human and (b) the other topics in the course.