Admission requirements
Not applicable
Description
In this course, we will take an experimental approach to the study of speech. We will learn the basic processes/mechanisms of speech production and perception, couched within the general understanding of the structure and dynamics of the human speech organs and the hearing system. The core of the course addresses acoustical properties of speech segments as well as the phonetics of suprasegmental prosody (i.e. lexical tones, stress patterns, rhythm, phrasing, and sentence melody). Another important component of the course will be on practical skills, such as the articulation and perception of speech sounds, transcription, and most importantly, instrumental analyses of speech. During the practice sessions, students will be applying what they have learned to analyzing and describing the sound system of an unfamiliar language. In doing so, students will also gain experience in writing up experimental results for publication.
Course objectives
After taking this class, students will acquire knowledge and insight into:
The process of human communication through speech and hearing.
The relationship between linguistic structure and speech sound.
Structure and dynamics of the human speech organs and hearing mechanism.
They will also learn:
To explain how speech is produced and how we can measure and quantify that process of production;
To hone their practical skills by analyzing speech in PRAAT
To formulate a linguistically inspired research question and address the question via instrumental analysis.
To analyze the phonetic structure of an unfamiliar language and write up a lab report.
Timetable
Mode of instruction
Seminar in English which includes lectures, hands-on tutorials, and project.
Course Load
Hours spent on attending lectures and seminars: 24 hours
Time to study the compulsory literature + preparing for the quizzes: 60 hours
Time to prepare for the final project: 56 hours
Assessment method
- Final exam (30%)
- In-class participation & homework (40%)
- Poster on the final project (30%)
Exam review
How and when an exam review will take place will be disclosed together with the publication of the exam results at the latest. If a student requests a review within 30 days after publication of the exam results, an exam review will have to be organized.
Blackboard
This course is supported by Blackboard which will be used to provide students with an overview of the course, as well as specific information about updates/current affairs of the course.
Reading list
Recommended:
A. C. M. Rietveld & V. J. van Heuven. 2016. Algemene Fonetiek, vierde herziene druk, Coutinho, Bussum.
Suggested reading: (introductory textbook) Ashby, M. (2005). Introducing Phonetic Science. Cambridge University Press (more specialized) Laver, J. (1994). Principles of Phonetics. Cambridge University Press
Registration
Enrolment through uSis is mandatory.
General information about uSis is available in English and Dutch
Contact
Education Administration Office van Wijkplaats
E-mail address Education Administration Office van Wijkplaats: osz-oa-wijkplaats@hum.leidenuniv.nl
Remarks
This course is open to students from the BA Linguistics only.