SPANISH 430: PHONETICS

Spring 2008 MTWF 12:00-12:50PM 309 DeRicci (Language Laboratory)

Professor Ian Davies 328 DeRicci tel: 608 663 2861 email: idavies@edgewood.edu

Office hours 10:00-11:00 MW 11:00-12:00 TF

This course is an introduction to Spanish phonetics, concentrating primarily on pronunciation of the language. It is geared towards advanced students who wish to improve their knowledge and practice of the spoken language and their listening comprehension skills. The course is particularly appropriate for students who intend to become teachers of Spanish. Our aim is to cover in detail one text during the semester: John Dalbor, Spanish Pronunciation; Theory and Practice. Third edition. Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1997.

Phonetics is a new topic for most students, and demands an approach quite different from the grammar, conversation and writing base of other Spanish classes. There is a fair amount of technical, "mathmatical" jargon inherent in the subject. Thus, for reasons of clarity, we have chosen an English language text for adoption in the course. Nevertheless, our class discussion will be primarily in Spanish. The challenge for students will be to learn and understand the new terminology, and to come to terms with the complexities and fresh challenges of the subject matter. To begin, in the first class sessions, we look at the history and geography of the Spanish language in its expansion and distribution around the globe. In subsequent weeks we will study and practice the patterns of stress, intonation and melody in Spanish (suprasegmentals), and then the physical articulation of specific sounds (segmentals), including their phonetic transcription. Finally we will look at regional variations of Spanish around the Spanish-speaking world (dialectology).

The class will be held in the Language Laboratory, 309 DeRicci Hall. The lab, with state of the art language learning software, will serve as an excellent resource for pronunciation practice and listening comprehension. We will use real-life audio and video sources in the target language from several Hispanic countries in order to illustrate concepts and to improve confidence in listening comprehension and imitating models of pronunciation. As a general pattern, we begin class by discussing aspects and concepts of the chapters of Spanish Pronunciation studied for that class, clarifying some of the theoretical and practical issues involved. Then we will move to the computers and headphones for specific listening and pronunciation practice, following closely many of the drills and exercises at the end of each chapter in our book (and occasionally other exercises from photocopied test passages distributed by the instructor). The professor will monitor activities closely during class and, through the integration of the Sanako software with the Blackboard Course Management System on the college’s server, will be able to save and store audio files for listening/ correction after class. Attendance is very important and students should realize the importance of thorough study and preparation of materials in advance of class. Weekly syllabus and assignments will be posted to the web site http://edgecms.edgewood.edu and students should check the site regularly for updates. Students are also encouraged to listen to sources of spoken Spanish (TV, video, radio, internet) outside of class.

Students are welcome at any point in the semester to discuss their progress with the instructor.

The syllabus is subject to modifications at the instructor's discretion.

Evaluation and Grading

The evaluation criteria for the course are: i) four in-class tests on the chapter materials covered to that point (4 x 15% = 60%); ii) class participation, assignments, oral recordings and a transcription project (40%). Exams and evaluation will consist of definitions and written illustrations of the key concepts explained throughout the textbook, together with an oral pronunciation component. (Key terms appear in capital letters in the main body of the text and are listed in Appendix A: Glossary of Linguistic Terms). The "Practice" sections at the end of each chapter provide a model for the type of activity we will do in class and on exams, and students are advised to prepare accordingly.

Grading scale: - A 93-100% AB 89-92% B 83-88% BC 79-82% C 73-78% CD 69-72% D 64-68% F < 64%

College Academic Honesty Policy:

As members of a scholarly community dedicated to healthy intellectual development, students and faculty at Edgewood College are expected to share the responsibility for maintaining high standards of honesty and integrity in their academic work. Each student should reflect this sense of responsibility toward the community by submitting work that is a product of his or her own effort in a particular course, unless the instructor has directed otherwise. In order to clarify and emphasize its standards for academic honesty, the college has adopted this policy. For examples of violations of these standards please see page 42, of the Undergraduate Catalogue. Use of computer language aids and tutors: All assignments should be the sole work of the student turning them in. Do not use any computer “spell check,” grammar correcting devices, or have anyone else edit the written work for this course.

Students with Disabilities:

If you need an accommodation due to a documented disability, please contact me privately before the end of the first week of class to discuss your specific needs. In addition, please contact the Disabilities Services Office in 206 DeRicci, 663-2281, to schedule an appointment with Deb Tobin, Disabilities Services Coordinator, to discuss your needs, the required documentation, and reasonable accommodations to aid in your success in this course.