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Advanced Phonetics and Phonology


Course Description

Detailed study of specific phonological theories and the phonetics/phonology interface, building on knowledge acquired in the introductory phonetics and phonology course.

Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
Additional journal articles related to each course topic will be required reading for graduate students (optional for undergraduates); these readings will address topics in greater depth than the general readings required for all students. Students will be assigned regular problem sets consisting of several parts. Undergraduate students will do only the less challenging portions of each assignment, while graduate students will be required to complete all parts. These additional sections of the assignments will require more sophisticated analysis and a deeper understanding of theoretical concepts. All students will design and conduct a research project, but the final course paper will be held to different standards. Graduate students are expected to incorporate a thorough review of the primary literature and to address the potential wider ramifications for the field.


Athena Title

Adv Phonetics and Phonology


Undergraduate Prerequisite

LING 3060


Graduate Prerequisite

LING 6021


Semester Course Offered

Offered spring


Grading System

A - F (Traditional)


Course Objectives

Students will build on the basics learned in Phonetics and Phonology by furthering their knowledge base of both phonetics and phonology. Students will learn how to use Praat (the computer program) in more complex ways, including setting up multiple forced choice (MFC) experiments. Students will become familiar with the strengths and problems of Optimality Theory. There will be an emphasis on the connection between, and overlap of, phonetics and phonology. Students will be in a position to conduct original research in the field and will propose and carry out a final research project.


Topical Outline

Tools in Praat spectra MFC experiments textgrids (for measuring durations, etc.) Weight/Timing slots/Moras history of timing slots arguments for moraic theory arguments against moraic theory Introduction to Optimality Theory (OT) basic architecture allophonic variation contraint conspiracies positional markedness and positional faithfulness Syllables and Stress syllables in OT stress parameters stress in OT


Syllabus