English Phonetics, Phonology & Language Variation
Reshape and refine your vocal organs! Acquire the mechanics of English pronunciation and intonations. Become proficient and speak in English Received Pronunciation with confidence!
Variation is a characteristic of language: there is more than one way of saying the same thing. Speakers may vary pronouncing (accent) word choice (lexicon), or morphology and syntax (sometimes called grammar).But while the diversity of variation is great, there seem to be boundaries on variation – speakers do not generally make drastic alterations in sentence word order or use novel sounds that are completely foreign to the language being spoken. Language variation does not equate with language ungrammaticality, but speakers are still (often unconsciously) sensitive to what is and is not possible in their native tongue. Language variation is a core concept in sociolinguistics. Sociolinguists investigate whether this linguistic variation can be attributed to differences in the social characteristics of the speakers using the language, but also investigate whether elements of the surrounding linguistic context promote or inhibit the usage of certain structures.
Studies of language variation and its correlation with sociological categories, such as William Labov’s 1963 paper “The social motivation of a sound change”, led to the foundation of sociolinguistics as a subfield of linguistics. Although contemporary sociolinguistics includes other topics, language variation and change remains an important issue at the heart of the field.
It is a comprehensive course covering a wide aspect of the field.
Stage 1
Introducing vocal organs (funnily, i.e. Show your tongue)
Exercise for vocal organs (funnily for kids)
Articulation of orthographic symbols (letters)
Articulation of orthographic symbols (letters) with phonetic sound representation(singular level)
Compiling words consisting phonemes encapsulating all (44+) gradually(synthetic process)
Conversation/role playing/rhymes encapsulating all (44+) gradually (synthetic process)
Stage 2
Revision of all of above
Letter sound correspondences (variant level)
Pronunciation of vowels in different sequences of orthography
Pronunciation of consonants in different sequences of orthography
Stage 3
Revision of all of above Introducing phonetic symbol (IPA British) 1
Places of articulation
Manner of articulation
Transcriptions from orthography to IPA
English vowels and consonants 1
Stage 4
Revision of all of above
The consonants 1
The syllable
Strong and weak Syllables
Stage 5
Revision of all of above
The consonants 2
The vowels 1
Introducing Stress
Stress in simple word
Stage 6
Revision of all of above
The consonants 3
The vowels 2
Complex word stress
Weak forms
Stage 7
Revision of all of above
Aspects of connected speech
Rhythm
Assimilation
Elision
Linking
Stage 8
Revision of all of above
Intonation 1:
Form and function in intonation
Tone and tone languages
Complex tone and pitch height
Some functions of English tones
Stage 9
Revision of all of above
Intonation 2:
The tone-unit
The structure of the tone unit
Pitch possibilities in the simple tone-units
Further functions of tone-unit
Stage 10
Revision of all of above
Intonation 3:
Discourse function of intonation
The Englishes:
Standardisation of English
RP
Standard and nonstandard English
Stage 11
Revision of all of above
The Englishes:
Standard British English vs British dialects
British vs American English
Cockney English, MLE, AAVE
Regional variation
English and social class