Phonology I
● Instructor: Darin Flynn
● Teaching Assistant: Susan Jackson
● Course description: “Phonology I: Theory and practice of phonological analysis: the classical phoneme; distinctive features and their organisation; methods of analysis; underlying and surface representations; rules and derivations.” (Calendar)
● Course prerequisites: LING 201 or 205/207 (A student may not register in any linguistics course unless a grade of at least C- has been achieved in each prerequisite for that course.)
● Class time, location: Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays 11:00–11:50, KNB 133
● Office hours, location: Wednesdays 1-2pm, SS 823 (Sue); Fridays 1-2pm, SS 806 (Darin)
● Telephone: Department: 403-220-5469; Darin: 403-220-6110; Sue: 403-210-6534
● E-mail: Darin: dflynn@ucalgary.ca; Sue: sejackso@ucalgary.ca
● Questions? Email or call about your questions, if you like.
● Fax: 403-282-3880 (perhaps if you need to fax a doctor's note? But please don't fax assignments...)
● Assignments: A link to each assignment is posted in the schedule section of the website on its due date. But make sure to get started on each assignment at least a few days before it's due.
All must be submitted electronically (preferably pdf or Word document) by midnight of the due date to Sue @ sejackso@ucalgary.ca. No late assignments will be accepted.
The file name of each assignment must be in the following format: ast#-lastname-preferredemailaddress, for example: ast2-smith-jsmith@shaw.ca.
Moreover, all phonetic characters must be typed in a well-known phonetic font.
● Computers: If you don’t own a computer (or if you don’t like your computer) you can do your assignment on a U of C workstation, say, in the TRI-Lab (SS 018) or in the IC (2nd flr. McKimmie). Note that you probably won’t be allowed to install any special font in your workstation, but on PCs at least you’ll find all phonetic characters in Lucida Sans Unicode (or else in Arial Unicode MS, which is normally installed with Word XP). Word 2007 is installed with fonts that have ALL phonetic symbols (Times New Roman, Arial, etc.). Another good font on PCs for phonetic symbols is Segoe UI. Windows' new default fonts, Calibri and Cambria, as included in Windows 7, are also IPA-compliant.
● Grading system: 3 assignments @ 10% each – Midterm 30% – Final exam 40%
● Assignment of grades: Course grades will be assigned on a distribution that is NOT more restrictive than the one below:
A+ 97-100% B+ 84-88% C+ 69-73% D+ 54-58%
A 93-96% B 79-83% C 64-68% D 50-53%
A– 89-92% B– 74-78% C– 59-63% F 0-49%
If warranted by class performance and exam difficulty, grade cutoffs can be lowered (but not raised) from these levels for any given exam. Course grades will be assigned based on the weighted average of the cutoffs used for the individual exams. Note: Grades will be based on per cent scores to one decimal place, with “rounding up” only in the calculation of the final grade.
● Text: I’ve written a text for this course (“An introduction to segmental phonology: The distinctive features of speech sounds”) which is therefore free, from here.
N.B.: Several other textbooks, background/supplementary materials are available in section P 217 at the MacKimmie library (some on Reserve).
● Course content: This course will examine a variety of phenomena in segmental phonology from a generative perspective, specifically using the “nonlinear” approach (a.k.a. “autosegmental phonology”). (The follow-up course, LING 403 − Phonology II, focuses on a quite different phonology, called prosodic optimality-theoretic.)
The development of various kinds of analytic skills is targeted in this course: the ability to examine linguistic data and extract generalisations from such data, to determine patterns exhibited by sets of data, the ability to analyse data given particular sets of theoretical assumptions, and the ability to compare and evaluate analyses.
The first week provides the foundational concepts for the whole course. The significance of these concepts (such as allophony, positional constraints, assimilation, and dissimilation) will become increasingly clear to you as they get applied over and over to various data sets, each highlighting a particular phonological feature (twenty-one of them).
● Course schedule:
|
1.
|
Sept. 12 (M) |
· Syllabus: course content, grades, schedule · Introduction: What is phonology? |
|
2. |
Sept. 14 (W) |
· Phonemes, inventories, and sneak-preview of features (read §1.2) · Reflection on “duality of patterning” (discussion of Rumi poem [pdf]; optional reading: Hockett 1960 on "design features" [pdf]; fun reading: Cowan et al. 1982, 1985 on "backward talkers" [pdf, pdf]) |
|
3. |
Sept. 16 (F) |
· Allophones, and the constraints/rules responsible for them (positional restrictions, assimilation/dissimilation) (read §1.3); optional classic reading: Sapir (1925) [pdf] · Short tutorial on fonts and typing symbols · Short tutorial on transcribing English (see Exercise A, end of §1.3) |
|
4. |
Sept. 19 (M) |
· Student questions re: §1 (Foundations), font problems and transcription · First feature: [±consonantal], a “major class feature” (read §2.1.1) [pdf] |
|
5. |
Sept. 21 (W) |
· [±consonantal] ctd. · Another “major class feature”: [±sonorant] (read §2.1.2) [pdf] |
|
6. |
Sept. 23 (F) |
· [±lateral], a “manner feature” (read first half of §2.2.1) [pdf] |
|
7. |
Sept. 26 (M) |
· [±lateral] ctd. (read second half of §2.2.1) · problem of contrastive specification of [±lateral] in Latin · Exercises (end of §2.2.1) [pdf] |
|
8. |
Sept. 28 (W) |
· [±strident], another “manner feature” (read first half of §2.2.2) [pdf] |
|
9. |
Sept. 30 (F) |
· [±strident] ctd. (read second half of §2.2.2) · problem of assibilation · Exercises (end of §2.2.2) [pdf] |
|
10. |
Oct. 3 (M) |
· [±continuant], another “manner feature” (read first half of §2.2.3) · Problem of affricates [pdf] |
|
11. |
Oct. 5 (W) |
· [±continuant] ctd. (read second half of §2.2.3) · Exercises (end of §2.2.3) [pdf] |
|
12. |
Oct. 7 (F) |
· Assignment 1 due! [pdf] (3 problem sets, 2 pages) · [±nasal], yet another “manner feature” (read §2.2.4) · Exercises (end of §2.2.4) [pdf] |
|
|
Oct. 10 (M) |
· Thanksgiving Day (no lecture) |
|
13. |
Oct. 12 (W) |
· [labial], a Lips feature (read §3.1.1) · Exercises (end of §3.1.1) [pdf] |
|
14. |
Oct. 14 (F) |
· [±round], another Lips feature (read §3.1.2) [pdf] · Exercises (end of §3.1.2) |
|
15. |
Oct. 17 (M) |
· [coronal], a Tongue Blade feature (read §3.2.1) · Exercises (end of §3.2.1) [pdf] |
|
16. |
Oct. 19 (W) |
· [±anterior], another Tongue Blade feature (read first half of §3.2.2) [pdf] · Phonetic enhancement |
|
17. |
Oct. 21 (F) |
· [±anterior] ctd. (read second half of §3.2.2) · Exercises (end of §3.2.2) · [±distributed], another Tongue Blade feature (read §3.2.3) [pdf] |
|
18. |
Oct. 24 (M) |
· Review for Midterm. |
|
19. |
Oct. 26 (W) |
· Midterm Exam [pdf] |
|
20. |
Oct. 28 (F) |
· [dorsal], a Tongue Body feature (read §3.3.1) · Exercises (end of §3.3.1) [pdf] |
|
21. |
Oct. 31 (M) |
· The other Tongue Body features: [±back], [±high], [±low] (read first part of §3.3.2) [pdf] |
|
22. |
Nov. 2 (W) |
· Assimilation/dissimilation of [±back] (read §3.3.2 ctd.) [pdf] |
|
23. |
Nov. 4 (F) |
· On the relation between [±back] and [±anterior] [pdf] |
|
24. |
Nov. 7 (M) |
· Assimilation/dissimilation of [±high] and [±low] (read end of §3.3.2) · Problem of contrastive vs. marked specification [pdf] |
|
25. |
Nov. 9 (W) |
· Assignment 2 due! [pdf] · [±ATR] in vowels (read §4.1.2) · Problem of schwa (read §4.1.3) · Practice of vowel trees [pdf] |
|
Nov. 11 (F) |
· No class – University Closed |
|
|
26. |
Nov. 14 (M) |
· [±ATR] in vowels continued · [−ATR] in consonants (read §4.1.1) [pdf] |
|
27. |
Nov. 16 (W) |
· [±ATR] continued (finish reading §4.1) · [±voice] (read first half of §4.2.1) [pdf] |
|
28. |
Nov. 18 (F) |
· [±voice] ctd. (read second half of §4.2.1) [pdf] |
|
29. |
Nov. 21 (M) |
· [±spread glottis] (read §4.2.2) [pdf] |
|
30. |
Nov. 23 (W) |
· [±constricted glottis] (read §4.2.3) [pdf] |
|
31. |
Nov. 25 (F) |
· glottals (read §4.2.4) · [±upper register] (start reading §4.3.1) [pdf] |
|
32. |
Nov. 28 (M) |
· [±upper register] ctd. (keep reading §4.3.1) [pdf] · level vs. contour tones |
|
33. |
Nov. 30 (W) |
· Assignment 3 due! [pdf] · [±upper register] ctd. (finish reading §4.3.1) · downstep · assimilation/dissimilation [pdf] |
|
34. |
Dec. 2 (F) |
· [±raised pitch] (read §4.3.2) |
|
35. |
Dec. 5 (M) |
· Review for final exam |
|
36. |
Dec. 7 (W) |
· More review for final exam |
|
37. |
Dec. 9 (F) |
· Even more practice for Final Exam |
|
Dec. 14(W) |
· Final Exam: KNB 133, 12-2pm |
Important information:
- It is expected that students will attend class.
- Students are expected at all times to do their own work (see section “Scholastic offenses” in the 2011–2012 Calendar)
- Assignments must be handed in on time. Missed or late assignments will receive a grade of zero.
- All exams must be written on scheduled dates, no later, not earlier. An exam can be missed only if valid documentation is provided within one week of the missed test. Valid reasons for missing a test include birth, death, marriage, or serious illness or injury applying to you or a member of your immediate family.
- Exams and assignments written in pencil cannot be regraded.
GENERAL COURSE/UNIVERSITY INFORMATION FOR ALL STUDENTS
LINGUISTICS STUDENT ADVISING
For any questions regarding the undergraduate or graduate program in linguistics, the organization of your program, or the selection of courses, contact the appropriate advisor as follows:
Undergraduate Advisor Dr Robert Murray SS 824 403-220-8109 lingadv@ucalgary.ca
Graduate Program Director Dr Susanne Carroll SS 846 403-220-5492 linggrad@ucalgary.ca
FACULTY of ARTS PROGRAM ADVISING and STUDENT INFORMATION
The Faculty of Arts Program Information Centre (PIC) is the overall headquarters for undergraduate programs in the Faculty of Arts. The key objective of this office is to connect students with whatever academic assistance that they require. The PIC is in the Social Sciences Building, Room 110, or you can contact them on 403-220-3580, by email artsads@ucalgary.ca or visit their website http://arts.ucalgary.ca/undergraduate/student-support.
For program planning and advice, contact the Student Success Centre (SSC). Degree advisors assist undergraduate students in planning their overall degree programs along with providing broad educational planning, learning support, assistance with academic difficulties, academic program guidance, writing support, success seminars and peer support. The SSC is now on the 3rd Floor of the Taylor Family Digital Library, or you can contact them on 403-220-5881, by email success@ucalgary.ca, or visit their website http://www.ucalgary.ca/ssc/.
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ACADEMIC ACCOMMODATION
It is the student's responsibility to request academic accommodation. If you are a student with a documented disability who may require academic accommodation and have not registered with the Disability Resource Centre, please contact their office at 403-220-8237. Students who have not registered with the Disability Resource Centre are not eligible for formal academic accommodation. You are also required to discuss your needs with your instructor no later than fourteen (14) days after the start of this course.
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION AND PRIVACY ACT (FOIP)
The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act was enacted by the Alberta Legislature on June 1, 1994. The Act is intended first of all to allow any person the right of access to the records in the custody and under the control of a public body although this right is subject to limited and specific exceptions. The Act also includes a strong right to privacy component, allowing individuals to control the manner in which a public body collects personal information, to control the use that a public body may make of the information, and to control the disclosure of that information by a public body. It also allows individuals the right of access to personal information about themselves held by a public body and the right to request corrections to that information.
For more information on FOIP, please visit the website http://www.ucalgary.ca/secretariat/privacy, or contact Jo-Anne Munn Gafuik at 403-220-3602 or by email munngafu@ucalgary.ca
PLAGIARISM AND ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT
Plagiarism involves submitting or presenting work in a course as if it were the student’s own work done expressly for that particular course, when, in fact, it is not. Most commonly plagiarism exists when:
- the work submitted or presented was done, in whole or in part, by an individual other than the one submitting or presenting the work (this includes having another impersonate the student or otherwise substituting the work of another for one’s own in an examination or test);
- parts of the work are taken from another source without reference to the original author,;
- the whole work (e.g. an essay) is copied from another source; and/or
- a student submits or presents work in one course which has also been submitted in another course (although it may be completely original with that student) without the knowledge of or prior agreement of the instructor involved.
While it is recognized that scholarly work often involves reference to the ideas, data and conclusions of other scholars, intellectual honesty requires that such references be explicitly and clearly noted. Students are often encouraged to work together in preparing homework assignments, but check with your instructor beforehand. However, unless noted otherwise in writing, students must write up their own answers for submission of the assignment. Failure to do so constitutes plagiarism.
Plagiarism is an extremely serious academic offence. Possible penalties for plagiarism include: failing the assignment, failing the course, disciplinary probation, suspension, or expulsion. Any student who voluntarily and consciously aids another student in the commission of plagiarism is also guilty of academic misconduct.
For more information on academic misconduct and related UofC regulations please consult the Student Misconduct web pages in the on-line University Calendar. These can be found at http://www.ucalgary.ca/pubs/calendar/current/k.html
EMERGENCY EVACUATION AND ASSEMBLY POINTS
The University of Calgary is committed to creating a safe and healthy living and learning environment. The health and safety of our employees, students and the general public are the highest priority of the University of Calgary's Emergency Management Program. During times of emergency, Assembly Points have been identified across campus. These areas have been selected as they are large enough to hold a significant number of people and will provide an evacuated population access to washroom facilities and protection from the elements. Assembly points are also designed to establish a location for information updates:
- from the emergency responders to the evacuees; and
- from the evacuated population to the emergency responders.
Please familiarize yourself with the following:
Emergency Assembly Points: http://www.ucalgary.ca/emergencyplan/assemblypoints
Emergency Instructions: http://www.ucalgary.ca/emergencyplan/node/28
SAFEWALK INFORMATION
Twenty four hours a day and seven days a week, Safewalk volunteers walk people safely to their destination on campus. This service is free and available to students, staff and campus visitors. Requesting Safewalk volunteers to walk with you is easy:
- Call 403-220-5333 (24 hours a day/seven days a week, 365 days a year)
- Use the Help Phones (they are not just for emergencies)
- Approach an on-duty Safewalker and request a walk
For more information, contact the Safewalk main office at 403-220-4750, by email safewalk@ucalgary.ca or visit their website http://www.ucalgary.ca/security/safewalk
STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE INFORMATION
The Students’ Union and the Graduate Students’ Association (GSA) in partnership with the University of Calgary offers students a key advocacy resource to assist in addressing concerns and issues they encounter at the University with the Student Ombuds Office.
For students in undergraduate programs, please contact the Student’s Union in the MacEwan Student Centre on 403-220-6551, by email arts1@su.ucalgary.ca, arts2@su.ucalgary.ca, arts3@su.ucalgary.ca, arts4@su.ucalgary.ca, or visit their website http://www.su.ucalgary.ca/
For students in graduate programs, please contact the GSA in the MacEwan Student Centre on 403-220-5997, by email ask@gsa.ucalgary.ca or visit their website http://www.ucalgary.ca/gsa/
The Student Ombuds Office is in the Administration Building, Room A166, or you can contact them on 403-220-6420, by email ombuds@ucalgary.ca or visit their website http://www.ucalgary.ca/provost/students/ombuds