Phonétique/Phonologie

Code scolarité : LG20CM12
CM - English phonetics and phonology
This lecture course on English phonetics and phonology offers students a detailed exploration of the sound system of the English language, encompassing its rich variety and regional differences. Through a systematic study, students will gain a thorough understanding of the principles, patterns, and rules that govern the organization and structure of English sounds. The course examines the relationships between phonemes, allophones, and their distribution, uncovering the systematic nature of English pronunciation and how it can vary across different regions and communities. Additionally, students will analyze various phonological processes, such as assimilation, elision, and connected speech phenomena, to understand how these processes contribute to the diverse and dynamic nature of spoken English.

By the end of the course students should be able to:

• recognise and produce English sounds
• identify and describe basic articulatory processes
• describe English vowels and consonants in terms of the way they are articulated
• recognise and eliminate typically French pronunciation errors
• use phonetic tools such as the vowel quadrilateral, cross-sections of the vocal tract, acoustic images
• identify and describe how sounds change when they are put together in words and sentences
• understand the regularities and irregularities of English spelling and pronunciation
• read and produce phonemic transcriptions using IPA symbols
• use effectively the pronunciation section of a dictionary

TD - English phonetics and phonology

This TD class complements the lecture course on English phonetics and phonology, providing students with practical application of the key concepts covered. Through engaging activities, students practice transcription, revise important principles, and apply t heir knowledge through collaborative exercises and individual practice that solidifies students' understanding of English phonology and enhances their overall proficiency in the study of language sound systems.

A l’issue de ce cours l’étudiant(e) est capable de :

• comprendre et décrire le fonctionnement phonologique de la langue, de reconnaître les enjeux linguistiques d’énoncés réels
• situer des productions culturelles anglophones en termes de contextes linguistique et sociolinguistique
• identifier et utiliser les différentes sources d’information en fonction de leur qualité et de leur pertinence

There is no obligatory reading for this course. However, students will find it useful to refer to one of the following textbooks available in the university library:

• Collins, B. & I. M. Mees (2008). Practical phonetics and phonology – A resource book for students. 2nd ed. London: Routledge
• Roach, P. (2009). 4th ed. English phonetics and phonology: a practical course. Cambridge: CUP.
• Watbled, J-P. (2005). La prononciation de l'anglais, coll.128. Paris: Armand Colin.

Students are also asked to consult regularly one of the pronunciation dictionaries:

• Jones, D. (2011). English Pronouncing Dictionary. 18th ed. Eds. P. Roach, J. Hartman & J. Setter. Cambridge: CUP.
• Wells, J.C. (2008). Longman Pronunciation Dictionary. 3rd ed. Harlow: Pearson Education.