Research Topics - Unit 2: page 2

Objectives of the unit

The unit seeks to present the basics of what are termed phonetic and phonological analysis. After completing the unit, participants should,

• understand the grounds for distinguishing between vowels and consonants
• be able to identify vowels and consonants according to their manner or articulation and be able to represent these sounds using the International Phonetic Alphabet,
• be able to identify those aspects of speech which have scope over extended stretches of sounds: patterns of intonation and stress
• understand some of the basic principles by which sounds are modified by surrounding sounds in continuous speech,
• understand the principles by which the phonemes (meaningful sound contrasts) of a language are identified
• be able to apply this knowledge to analysing their own speech and comparing it with the speech of those from contrastive, regional, social, national or language backgrounds.