| CODE | LIN3190 | |||||||||
| TITLE | Variation and Phonological Theory | |||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 03 - Years 2, 3, 4 in Modular Undergraduate Course | |||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 6 | |||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 2 | |||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Institute of Linguistics and Language Technology | |||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | One of the characteristics of language in all its forms is its organisation into repeatable patterns of realisation. A parallel, even if, at first glance, conflicting characteristic is the tendency for variation. This study unit examines the issue of phonological variation in at attempt at showing how different theories of phonology deal with the matter of capturing patterns, including patterns of variation, in phonological data. While acknowledging the generative framework presented in Chomsky and Halle’s (1968) Sound pattern of English as the launching pad for much of present day work in phonological description, the study unit deals in particular with models which, while still derivational in nature, represent phonological structure nonlinearly rather than linearly, as well as with models involving representation on the basis of constraints rather than of rules which change underlying structures into surface forms. A number of different sources of variation will be examined in the course of the study-unit. Particular attention will be given to variation in loan phonology and in second language, variation across dialects and variation at the non-segmental level. Study-unit Aims: The study-unit aims to further develop understanding of theories of phonology dealt with in earlier study-units in this area with reference particularly to models which (i) incorporate multidimensionality in their representation; and (ii) move away from the idea of rules and derivations to that of constraints. The study-unit also aims to provide students with a basis for thinking about the challenges posed by variation in phonological data and to critically evaluate studies in this area. It further gives them the opportunity to carry out a mini-study in which they will be required to apply their understanding of the issues involved by identifying and testing out a hypothesis relating to some aspect of phonological variation and subsequently accounting for the patterns of variation using a model of their choice. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: • gain knowledge of concepts and formalisms in a number of post-generative accounts of phonology; • apply these to an examination of a number of issues involving phonological variation such as loan phonology, second language, dialectal variation and variation at the non-segmental level; • use terminology and formalisms relevant to dealing with phonological variation; • identify issues of relevance to researchers in this field and evaluate the merits and shortcomings of different theoretical approaches to the study of variation in phonology. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: • evaluate the merits of different theoretical approaches; • identify aspects of variation which pose questions of interest to researchers in this field; • formulate a simple research question and hypothesis; • design and implement an appropriate methodology to address the specific research question formulated. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: - Gussenhoven, C., & Jacobs, H. (2011). Understanding phonology. 3rd edition. London: Routledge. - Hinskens, F., van Hout, R., & Wetzels, W. L. (1997). Variation, change and phonological theory. Amsterdam: John Benjamins. A reading pack containing specific topic-by-topic readings will be made available in the course of this study-unit. However, a number of supplementary reference texts are listed below: - Anttila, A. (2003). Variation and phonological theory. In J. K. Chambers, P. Trudgill, & N. Schilling-Estes (Eds.), The handbook of language variation and change. Oxford:Blackwell. - Archibald, J. (1998). Second language phonology. Amsterdam: John Benjamins. - Brown, G. (1972). Phonological rules and dialect variation: A study of the phonology of Lumasaaba. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. - Calabrese, A., & Wetzels, W. L. (2009). Loan phonology. Amsterdam: John Benjamins. - Chomsky, N., & Halle, M. (1968). The sound pattern of English. New York: Harper and Row. Goldsmith, J. A. (2011). The handbook of phonological theory. 2nd edition. Oxford: Blackwell. -Trouvain, J., & Gut, U. (2007). Non-native prosody. Berlin: Mouton de Gruyter. |
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| ADDITIONAL NOTES | Pre-requisite Qualifications: LIN1090, LIN2190, LIN2290 or equivalent | |||||||||
| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture and Seminar | |||||||||
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| LECTURER/S | Alexandra Vella |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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