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FRE231Arts2 Unitsintermediate

Introduction to French Phonetics and Phonology

This course introduces students to the essentials of phonology in French. It explores the functioning of the French language sound system, enabling students to apply phonological rules effectively. The course covers crucial aspects of phonology, including phonetics, morphology, and various phonological theories. Students will learn to identify French phonemes, describe their features, and enhance their oral expression in French, while also understanding general trends in phonology.

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60h
Study Time
13
Weeks
5h
Per Week
none
Math Level
Course Keywords
French PhonologyPhonemesMorphologyAssimilationIntonation

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

Phonology

2

Phonetics

3

Morphology

4

French Phonemes

5

Assimilation

6

Intonation

Total Topics6 topics

Ready to Start

No specific requirements needed

This course is designed to be accessible to all students. You can start immediately without any prior knowledge or specific preparation.

Assessment Methods

How your progress will be evaluated (3 methods)

assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

tutor-marked assessments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

final examination

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Computer Based Test

Career Opportunities

Explore the career paths this course opens up for you

French Language Teacher

Apply your skills in this growing field

Translator

Apply your skills in this growing field

Interpreter

Apply your skills in this growing field

Linguist

Apply your skills in this growing field

Industry Applications

Real-world sectors where you can apply your knowledge

EducationTranslation ServicesInterpretation ServicesLinguistics Research

Study Schedule Beta

A structured 13-week journey through the course content

Week
1

Module 1: Introduction

2h

Unit 1: Qu'est-ce que la Phonologie?

2 study hours
  • •Define phonology and its importance in understanding the French sound system.
  • •Distinguish between phonetics and phonology.
  • •Identify major schools of thought in phonology.
Week
2

Module 1: Introduction

2h

Unit 2: Phonétique et Phonologie

2 study hours
  • •Differentiate between phonetics and phonology.
  • •Understand how sounds and phonemes are represented in transcription.
  • •Analyze minimal pairs to identify distinctive oppositions.
Week
3

Module 1: Introduction

2h

Unit 3: Phonologie et Morphologie

2 study hours
  • •Define morphology and its relationship to phonology.
  • •Identify morphemes within French words.
  • •Analyze words morphonologically, distinguishing between lexical and grammatical morphemes.
Week
4

Module 1: Introduction

2h

Unit 4: Description phonologique des Phonèmes Vocaliques du Français

2 study hours
  • •Identify and classify French oral vowel phonemes based on place of articulation.
  • •Describe each oral vowel phoneme using specific phonological features.
  • •Practice phonetic transcription of words containing oral vowels.
Week
5

Module 1: Introduction

2h

Unit 5: Description Phonologique des Phonèmes Consonantiques du Français

2 study hours
  • •Identify and classify French consonant phonemes.
  • •Describe each consonant phoneme using specific phonological features.
  • •Differentiate between occlusive and constrictive consonants.
Week
6

Module 2: Phonological Concepts

2h

Unit 1: La Distribution Segmentale

2 study hours
  • •Define segmental distribution and its importance in phonology.
  • •Identify minimal pairs and their role in determining distinct phonemes.
  • •Analyze the distribution of sounds in different phonetic environments.
Week
7

Module 2: Phonological Concepts

2h

Unit 2: Allophones et Distribution Complémentaire

2 study hours
  • •Define allophones and their relationship to phonemes.
  • •Distinguish between free and conditioned variants.
  • •Identify allophones in complementary distribution.
Week
8

Module 2: Phonological Concepts

2h

Unit 3: Les Traits Phonologiques

2 study hours
  • •Define phonological features and their role in describing phonemes.
  • •Construct segmental matrices for French consonants and vowels.
  • •Differentiate between distinctive and non-distinctive features.
Week
9

Module 2: Phonological Concepts

2h

Unit 4: Les Traits Distinctifs

2 study hours
  • •Identify the various distinctive features in French, such as voicing, nasality, and anteriority.
  • •Compare and classify different phonemes according to their distinctive features.
  • •Analyze how distinctive features differentiate phonemes from each other.
Week
10

Module 2: Phonological Concepts

2h

Unit 5: Les Règles Phonologiques

2 study hours
  • •Identify and apply derivational rules, including epenthesis, elision, and assimilation.
  • •Identify and apply transformational rules, including liaison and nasalization.
  • •Analyze how phonological rules alter sounds in different contexts.
Week
11

Module 3: Speech Dynamics

2h

Unit 1: Les Réactions Phonologiques dans la Chaine Parlée

2 study hours
  • •Explain the phonological reactions of sounds in speech, including elision, enchaînement, and liaison.
  • •Apply these phenomena when speaking French.
  • •Analyze how sounds interact and function in the French language system.
Week
12

Module 3: Speech Dynamics

4h

Unit 2: Les Principes de Liaison en Français

2 study hours
  • •Understand the rules and principles guiding the application of liaison.
  • •Identify compulsory, impossible, and optional liaisons.
  • •Apply liaison correctly in French pronunciation.

Unit 3: Elision et Enchainement en Français

2 study hours
  • •Apply the rules and principles of elision and enchaînement for effective pronunciation.
  • •Differentiate between liaison, élision, and enchaînement.
  • •Recognize when to use elision and enchaînement in speech.
Week
13

Module 3: Speech Dynamics

4h

Unit 4: L'accent en Français

2 study hours
  • •Define accent and its role in French pronunciation.
  • •Determine where an accent should be placed in a word when speaking French.
  • •Distinguish between French accent and English accent.

Unit 5: L'intonation en Français

2 study hours
  • •Define intonation and its role in language.
  • •Distinguish between intonation and stress in pronunciation.
  • •Identify the intonation pattern that goes with each type of sentence in French.

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

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Study Tips & Exam Preparation

Expert tips to help you succeed in this course

1

Review all units, focusing on definitions and examples.

2

Practice phonetic transcription of French words.

3

Study the rules of liaison, elision, and enchaînement.

4

Practice applying phonological rules in spoken French.

5

Review tutor-marked assignments and feedback.

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