85075 - Phonetics and Phonology (1) (LM)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student will know the linguistic theory related to the coding of the linguistic message into sounds. He/she will acquire the fundamentals of articulatory/acoustic phonetics and segmental/suprasegmental phonology. In particular, he/she will be able to analyze the phonetic and phonological aspects of a language or linguistic variety from different perspectives: synchronic, diachronic, sociolinguistic, acquisitional; moreover, he/she will be able to analyze phenomena of phonetic and phonological disruption in pathological speech; finally, he/she will be able to set up autonomously theoretical and experimental research in the fields outlined above.

Course contents

This course introduces the participants to key concepts of contemporary experimental phonetics and phonology.
In particular, it will tackle the following topics:

• Articulatory phonetics: anatomy and physiology of the vocal system and description/transcription of linguistic sounds with the IPA system.
• Acoustic phonetics: spectroacoustic analysis of the speech.
  
• Form and substance of the signifier: the lack of segmentability and lack of invariance problems.
• The development of phonetic/phonological competence during childhood.

Prerequisites
The course has been designed for students with a basic background in linguistics (i.e. with competencies like those that are developed in General Linguistics classes). In particular, a deep knowledge of the articulatory characteristics of standard Italian phonemes and the ability to perform a phonetic transcription of isolated Italian words are taken for granted.
The students who believe not to have this background knowledge are advised to refer to a basic handbook of linguistics (e.g. Berruto G. & Cerruti M., La linguistica. Un corso introduttivo. Torino, UTET, 2017) and phonetics/phonology (e.g. Albano Leoni F. & Maturi P., Manuale di fonetica, Roma, Carocci 2002).

Readings/Bibliography

Program for students who attend the lectures

1. Ashby M. & Maidment J. (2005). Introducing Phonetic Science. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
   
2. Marotta G. & Vanelli L. (2021). Fonologia e prosodia dell'italiano. Roma: Carocci. Cap. 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8.
3. Albano Leoni F. (2009). Dei suoni e dei sensi. Il volto fonico delle parole. Bologna: il Mulino.
4. Teaching material used in class and uploaded on the e-learning platform.

Program for students who do not attend the lectures

1. Ashby M. & Maidment J. (2005). Introducing Phonetic Science. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
   
2. Marotta G. & Venelli L. (2021). Fonologia e prosodia dell'italiano. Roma: Carocci. Cap. 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8.
3. Albano Leoni F. (2009). Dei suoni e dei sensi. Il volto fonico delle parole. Bologna: il Mulino.
4. Teaching material used in class and uploaded on the e-learning platform.
5. Ladefoged P. & Maddieson Ian (1996). The Sounds of the World's Languages. Oxford: Blackwell. Cap. 1-2-7-9.

Students not attending the lessons are strongly invited to get in contact with the teachers, to avoid any misunderstanding about the course contents and reading materials.

Teaching methods

Lectures, collaborative discussion of scientific papers, practical exercises (i.e., Praat software).

All students must attend - online - Modules 1 and 2 [https://corsi.unibo.it/magistrale/DatiMetodiModelliScienzeLinguistiche/formazione-obbligatoria-su-sicurezza-e-salute] on Health and Safety.

Assessment methods

The final exam is an oral colloquium dealing with the course contents; its aim is to evaluate the critical skills and methodological knowledge gained by the student.

Reaching a clear view of all the course topics as well as using a correct language terminology will be valued with maximum grades. The capacity of building autonomous paths to connect different topics of the course will be appreciated.
Mnemonic knowledge of the course topics or not completely appropriate terminology will be valued with intermediate grades.
Unknown topics or inappropriate terminology use will be valued, depending on the seriousness of the omissions, with minimal or insufficient grades.

All the students will be asked to start from a subject freely chosen by them. Then, they will be asked to phonetically transcribe several words in isolation and provide the articulatory description of the transcribed phones. Finally, their understanding of course concepts and knowledge of the reference bibliography will be assessed.

The oral colloquia can be scheduled in different days depending on the number of students enrolled. The exact day will be communicated once the enrollment list will be closed.

Teaching tools

Didactic material will be made available on the course's online platform, Virtuale.

Students are required to download available documents and to regularly check for updates.

Office hours

See the website of Gloria Gagliardi