Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE LIN2190

 
TITLE Segmental Phonology

 
UM LEVEL 02 - Years 2, 3 in Modular Undergraduate Course

 
MQF LEVEL 5

 
ECTS CREDITS 2

 
DEPARTMENT Institute of Linguistics and Language Technology

 
DESCRIPTION Studying phonology requires that we look closely at language sound inventories, and understand the combination of such sounds segments that eventually lead to the creation of a number of units, including syllables, morphs and words. Studying phonology thus equips us with the necessary tools to be able to understand and research this level of linguistic analyis.

This study-unit starts off by building upon the importance of the coexistence of both phonetics and phonology, and then moves along to better understand how phonology fits the realm of linguistic analysis as a discrete unit, as well as how it interfaces with other areas of linguistic research. Central to any module on phonology, we shall be particularly concerned with the distribution of speech sound, phonemic theory and what it captures but nevertheless does not manage to solve, as well as other phonological accounts which stemmed out from the very requirement to account for the deficiencies present in phonemic theory. A hands on approach is practised and workshops where theory is applied to actual data constitute the core of the learning experience.

Study-unit Aims:

Students will be expected to grasp and understand key basic phonological concepts within linguistic theory; be aware that phonology does in fact interrelate with other areas of linguistic analysis; familiarise themselves with varied phonological theories and analyses and be able to critically think their way as to what constitute the strengths and weaknesses of individual theories; and eventually be able to use this theoretical knowledge when coming to put theory into practise, especially when working out solutions to actual data.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Knowledge & Understanding:
By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- Appreciate interfaces with other modules of linguistic analysis;
- Understand the basic phonological theories, particularly the phoneme theory and the distinctive feature theory;
- Understand the limitations of individual phonological theories;
- Know how to apply theory to data.

2. Skills:
By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- Apply theories to given data;
- Compare theories in terms of their explanatory adequacy.

Main Text/s and any supplementary readings:

Fudge, E. C. (ed.) 1973. Phonology. Harmondsworth: Penguin
Gussenhoven, C., and H. Jacobs. 2011. (3rd ed) Understanding Phonology London: Arnold
Hawkins, P. 1984. Introducing Phonology. London: Hutchinson
Hayes, B. 2009. Introductory Phonology. Oxford: Wiley - Blackwell
Hayes, B., Kirchner, R. and Steriade, D. (eds.) (2004). Phonetically Based Phonology Cambridge University Press
Hyman, L. 1975. Phonology Theory and Analysis. New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston
Katamba, F. 1987. Introduction to Phonology. London: Longman
Kager, R. 1999. Optimality Theory. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
*Lass, R. 1984. Phonology. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
*Odden, D. 2005. Introducing Phonology. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
Silverman, D. 2006. A Critical Introduction to Phonology Of Sound, Mind and Body. London: Continuum

*Highly recommended

 
ADDITIONAL NOTES Pre-requisite Study-unit: LIN1090 or equivalent

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Lecture and Workshop

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Examination (1 Hour and 30 Minutes) Yes 100%

 
LECTURER/S Maris Camilleri

 

 
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It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years.

https://www.um.edu.mt/course/studyunit