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ENG341Arts3 Unitsintermediate

The Phonology Of English

This course, The Phonology of English, is a one-semester, 3-credit unit course designed for undergraduate English students and those in related linguistics fields. It covers the theoretical foundations of phonetics and phonology, including the production, transmission, and perception of speech sounds. Students will learn to identify, describe, and apply English vowel and consonant sounds, autosegmental features, and phonological rules. The course aims to improve perceptive and receptive skills in the English sound system.

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200h
Study Time
13
Weeks
15h
Per Week
none
Math Level
Course Keywords
phonologyphoneticsEnglish languagespeech soundsdistinctive features

Course Overview

Everything you need to know about this course

Course Difficulty

Intermediate Level
Builds on foundational knowledge
65%
intermediate
📚
Math Level
No Math
🔬
Learning Type
Hands-on Practice

Course Topics

Key areas covered in this course

1

Phonetics and Phonology

2

English Vowels

3

English Consonants

4

English Phonemes and Allophones

5

Distinctive Features

6

English Syllable Structure

7

Stress in English

8

Intonation in English

Total Topics8 topics

Requirements

Knowledge and skills recommended for success

Test of Orals

Spoken English

Introduction to General Phonetics and Phonology of English

💡 Don't have all requirements? Don't worry! Many students successfully complete this course with basic preparation and dedication.

Assessment Methods

How your progress will be evaluated (3 methods)

assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

tutor-marked assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

final examination

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Career Opportunities

Explore the career paths this course opens up for you

English Teacher

Apply your skills in this growing field

Linguist

Apply your skills in this growing field

Speech Therapist

Apply your skills in this growing field

Translator

Apply your skills in this growing field

Interpreter

Apply your skills in this growing field

Industry Applications

Real-world sectors where you can apply your knowledge

EducationLinguisticsSpeech TherapyTranslationInterpretation

Study Schedule Beta

A structured 13-week journey through the course content

Week
1

Course Guide

2h

Course Guide

2 study hours
  • •Read the course guide to understand the course objectives, structure, and assessment methods.
  • •Familiarize yourself with the course materials, including study units and recommended textbooks.
Week
2

Module 1: Phonetics and Phonology

6h

Unit 1: What Phonetics Is

6 study hours
  • •Define phonetics and its branches.
  • •Identify the main duties of a phonetician.
  • •List and explain the three main branches of phonetics: articulatory, acoustic, and auditory.
  • •Practice phonetic transcription using IPA symbols.
Week
3

Module 1: Phonetics and Phonology

6h

Unit 2: What Phonology Is

6 study hours
  • •Define phonology and its relationship to phonetics.
  • •Identify and describe segmental phonemes.
  • •Explain autosegmental features and their role in phonology.
  • •Discuss English phonological rules and morphophonemic changes.
Week
4

Module 2: English Vowels

6h

Unit 1: English Monophthongs (Pure Vowels) I

6 study hours
  • •Identify and describe English monophthongs (pure vowels).
  • •Explain the vowel trapezium and its importance in vowel classification.
  • •Practice producing and transcribing the first four English pure vowel sounds: /i:/, /ɪ/, /ɛ/, /æ/.
  • •Give examples of words containing these sounds.
Week
5

Module 2: English Vowels

6h

Unit 2: English Monophthongs (Pure Vowels) II

6 study hours
  • •Identify and describe the remaining English monophthongs.
  • •Practice producing and transcribing the English pure vowel sounds: /ɑ:/, /ɒ/, /ɔ:/, /ʊ/, /u:/, /ʌ/, /ɜ:/, /ə/.
  • •Give examples of words containing these sounds.
  • •Use a mirror to observe mouth and tongue positions while producing the sounds.
Week
6

Module 2: English Vowels

6h

Unit 3: English Diphthongs and Triphthongs

6 study hours
  • •Identify and describe English diphthongs and triphthongs.
  • •Explain the difference between closing and centering diphthongs.
  • •Practice producing and transcribing the English diphthong and triphthong sounds.
  • •Give examples of words containing these sounds.
Week
7

Module 3: English Consonants

6h

Unit 1: The Plosives

6 study hours
  • •Identify and describe the English plosive consonants: /p/, /b/, /t/, /d/, /k/, /ɡ/, /ʔ/.
  • •Explain the articulation of each plosive sound.
  • •Practice producing and transcribing the plosive sounds.
  • •Give examples of words containing these sounds.
Week
8

Module 3: English Consonants

6h

Unit 2: The Affricates and Fricatives

6 study hours
  • •Identify and describe the English affricate and fricative consonants: /ʧ/, /ʤ/, /f/, /v/, /θ/, /ð/, /s/, /z/, /ʃ/, /ʒ/, /h/.
  • •Explain the articulation of each affricate and fricative sound.
  • •Practice producing and transcribing the affricate and fricative sounds.
  • •Give examples of words containing these sounds.
Week
9

Module 3: English Consonants

6h

Unit 3: The Nasals, Lateral, Continuants and Semi-vowels

6 study hours
  • •Identify and describe the English nasal, lateral, continuant, and semi-vowel consonants: /m/, /n/, /ŋ/, /l/, /r/, /j/, /w/.
  • •Explain the articulation of each nasal, lateral, continuant, and semi-vowel sound.
  • •Practice producing and transcribing the nasal, lateral, continuant, and semi-vowel sounds.
  • •Give examples of words containing these sounds.
Week
10

Module 4: English Phonemes and Allophones

6h

Unit 1: Phonemic Description by Contrast

6 study hours
  • •Define minimal pairs and their role in phonemic analysis.
  • •Explain how minimal pairs are used to identify and describe English phonemes.
  • •Identify and describe allophones and their relationship to phonemes.
  • •Give examples of minimal pairs and allophones in English.
Week
11

Module 4: English Phonemes and Allophones

6h

Unit 2: English Sound Change I

6 study hours
  • •Discuss the concept of free variation in English sound system.
  • •Discuss complementary distribution in the English sound system.
  • •Explain the importance of allophonic study in English phonology.
Week
12

Module 4: English Phonemes and Allophones

6h

Unit 3: English Sound Change II

6 study hours
  • •Define and discuss phonological processes that affect changes in the sounds of English.
  • •Discuss various sound change processes in the English phonology: assimilation, deletion, elision, insertion, coalescence, and liaison.
  • •Give examples of phonemes that are changed by phonological processes.
Week
13

Module 5: Distinctive Features

12h

Unit 1: Generative Phonology

6 study hours
  • •Explain what generative phonology is, its major proponents, modes of representations, and some of its rules.
  • •Define and discuss sonorant and obstruent as distinctive features for the description of the English phonemes.
  • •Explain the phonetic features that border on the organs of speech such as: the tongue, lips and nasal.
  • •Identify and describe the English sounds produced by theses organs of speech using the terms in the generative phonology theory.

Module 5: Distinctive Features

6 study hours
  • •Study Major Class features/ Cavity features
  • •Study Manner of Articulation features
  • •Study Distinctive features Matrix

This study schedule is in beta and may not be accurate. Please use it as a guide and consult the course outline for the most accurate information.

Course PDF Material

Read the complete course material as provided by NOUN.

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Study Tips & Exam Preparation

Expert tips to help you succeed in this course

1

Review all tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) and self-assessment exercises (SAEs).

2

Create flashcards for IPA symbols and their corresponding sounds.

3

Practice transcribing English words and sentences, paying attention to stress and intonation.

4

Focus on understanding the key concepts and rules of English phonology, such as assimilation, elision, and stress placement.

5

Record yourself speaking English and compare your pronunciation to native speakers.

6

Create concept maps linking Units 3-5 database concepts

7

Practice SQL queries from Units 7-9 weekly

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