Prosody of English

Aims

Aims

The aims of this module are:

• to introduce students to the main topics of prosody in spoken English, drawing on both phonetics and phonology, and
• to equip students with the knowledge and ability to analyse prosodic aspects of spoken English both phonetically and phonologically.

Subject content

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• analyse data first-hand using a tool for the instrumental analysis of speech
• present their own analyses of data of various types and qualities to a high standard
• work with data of varying types and qualities 
• demonstrate understanding of current debates in the literature with regard to the prosody of English

Academic and graduate skills

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• evaluate completing claims in the literature by applying them in data analysis
• present the results of an analysis orally or in written form to a professional standard
• work in a group to develop an analysis

Prerequisites

Prerequisites

L29M Core Course in Phonetics & Phonology

OR L69M Advanced Topics in Phonology

OR L70M Advanced Topics in Phonetics

Programme

Programme

Teaching programme

The module is taught through lectures/practicals/seminars, covering:

• A: basic quantitative analysis of prosody (acoustic analysis of F0) 
• B: basic qualitative analysis of prosody (intonational transcription)
• C: theories of prosodic analysis (comparing different approaches)

Teaching in the module will focus on analysis of English prosody, but there is scope for students to also explore analysis of prosody in other languages to some extent, in seminars, if they wish.

Contact hours

Three hours per week over 8 weeks, of which:

• 1 hour lecture or practical
• 1 hour practical 
• 1 hour seminar

Teaching materials

Readings will be made available via the VLE (or optionally for purchase as a reading pack).

Assessment

Assessment

Formative work

Formative homework exercises. Students receive feedback within one week of submission in the form of whole-class feedback on common errors and brief individual written feedback.

Summative work

• 5,000 word research essay

Lectures and practicals will focus on analysis of English prosody, but students may if they wish investigate the prosody of another language in their research essay, by prior agreement with the module convenor.