Ling 360 Sounds of the World’s Languages Bond
1 p.m., M-Th Gordy 313 Office: Gordy 367 Bond@ohio.edu Office Hours: 11-12 M-Th
The purpose of the course is to familiarize you with the International Phonetic Alphabet as a description of the sounds of the world’s languages and to give you an opportunity to investigate the phonological and acoustic-phonetic structure of languages you do not know.
Language consultants:
George Gathigi (gg267404@ohio.edu)
Sabrina Sahle (ss152706@ohio.edu)
Text: Peter Ladefoged, A Course in Phonetics, 5th ed., 2006
Course outline:
Weeks of March 26-16 April
Review of speech anatomy, speech physiology and the transcription of
American English
Ladefoged, Ch. 1-5 deal with English phonetics.
23 April
Introduction to the International Phonetic Alphabet
Expect to hear about tone
Ladefoged Ch. 6 and Ch 10 provide the background.
30 April and & 7 May
Work with George Gathigi on Kikuyu
Ladefoged, Ch. 7 and 8.
14 and 21 May
Work with Sabrina Sahle on Tigrinya
Ladefoged, Ch. 9.
28 May Catch up and review
Course requirements:
Midterm examination (speech anatomy, speech physiology,
English phonetics, some general phonetics) Monday, 23 April 25%
Final examination (general phonetics, acoustic phonetics) 25%
Written summaries of consonant and vowel inventories of our target languages 20%
These can be group projects
Paper on some aspect of phonetic structure of one of the languages 25%
This can be a group project
Due on the last day of classes, 31 May
Homework and class participation ; 5%
Some matters of business:
1) As I am sure you are aware, cheating, plagiarism and other forms of academic dishonesty are cardinal sins in a university community. One can be penalized for these both academically and through Student Judiciaries. As per regulations, here is the University policy on academic misconduct.
Academic Misconduct is a Code A violation of the Ohio University Code of Student Conduct. Academic Misconduct refers to dishonesty on examinations (cheating), presenting the ideas or the writings of someone else as one's own (plagiarism), or knowingly furnishing false information to the University. If you are found to be involved in academic misconduct, you will receive an F grade on the project or for the class and/or referral to the Director of Judiciaries with the possible sanctions of expulsion or suspension.
2) Regrettably, late work may be penalized.
3) If you request an Incomplete (I) for this course, the highest final grade you can receive is B.
4) Because much of the work requires your direct presence and participation, more than 4 unexcused absences may lower your final grade.