Ling 200 | Daily syllabus

This syllabus is updated after each day's class.
Use it to keep track of what we've done and where we're going.
See also the schedule of topics for a general overview.

Jump to the most recent date

[01] W Jan 7

Covered today: [outline]
- Introduction to the course structure
  - Handout - Course information and policies
  - Classroom Emergency Checklist
- Phonology as mental grammar - Tongue twisters and other evidence
To prepare for F Jan 9: Start reviewing basic phonetics symbols and terms; bring questions to class on F and M for review and discussion
- Handout - "Basic phonetics review"
- Additional resources for reviewing and studying:
  - LING 200 Quizlet flash cards are available for consonants and vowels
  - For extra practice, use these phonetics review links
  - And FYI, here is a full IPA chart (modified for LING 200)
Reading (optional): Hayes (2009), Ch 1 (find book in Course Reserves on Canvas)
- This is useful for reviewing phonetics terms and concepts
Survey: "Background & interests survey" | link in Canvas Announcement
- Open until F Jan 9, 11:59pm

[02] F Jan 9

Covered today: [outline] [Padlet]
- Phonetics review — Tongue twisters, revisited
- Phonology as natural science
To prepare for M Jan 12:
- Handout - "Basic phonetics review"
- Padlet board, for submitting (anonymous) questions before class
- Prep questions 01.12 are due M Jan 12, 11am
  - Use this handout and the "Course info and policies" document from Wed
FYI: Additional resources for reviewing and studying:
- LING 200 Quizlet flash cards are available for consonants and vowels

[03] M Jan 12

Covered today: Phonetics review — LING 101 consonants & vowels, properties [outline] [Padlet]
- Handout - "Basic phonetics review"
- FYI: MRI images of "retroflex" vs. "bunched" [ɹ] in American English (top of p 55)
To prepare for W Jan 14:
- PP|Data set - Finnish segment inventory (focus on vowels)
- Prep questions 01.14 are due W Jan 14, 11am
Upcoming: Segments and classes quiz on F Jan 16
- Bring questions on Wed (or use Padlet board)
- Resources for preparing
  - Handout - "Basic phonetics review"
  - LING 200 Quizlets - consonants | vowels
  - Optional reading - Hayes (2009), Ch 1 (Course Reserves)

[04] W Jan 14

Covered today: Phonetics review — Sound properties, describing sound classes [outline] [Padlet]
- Handout - "Basic phonetics review"
- DE|Data set - Segment classes
To prepare for F Jan 16: Segments and classes quiz
- Practice "quizzes" (optional, ungraded, repeatable) on Canvas - available all semester
- Handout - "Basic phonetics review"
- LING 200 Quizlets - consonants | vowels
- Consonants: Interactive vocal-tract diagram | Example English words
- Vowels: Example English words
- Optional reading - Hayes (2009), Ch 1 (Course Reserves)

[05] F Jan 16

Segments and classes quiz

M Jan 19

Holiday — no class

[06] W Jan 21

Covered today: A phonological model - Distinctive features [outline] [Padlet]
- DE|Data set - Arabic consonants
- DE|Data set - Turkish suffixes
To prepare for F Jan 23:
- Handout - "Phonological features: Basic model"
- PP|Data set - Arabic consonants
- PP|Data set - Turkish suffixes
- Prep questions 01.23, due F Jan 23, 2pm in Canvas Assignments
- Symbols you don't know? Try finding them on the LING 200 IPA chart

[07] F Jan 23

Covered today: Applying the model - Features and segment classes [outline] [Padlet]
- DE|Data set - Turkish suffixes
- Handout - List of phonological features in our model
To prepare for M Jan 26:
- Handout - "Phonological features: Basic model" (review!)
  - (Re)read the features handout thoughtfully, focusing on what segment classes each feature is used to distinguish between
- Handout - Feature charts (for practice - do not attempt to memorize!)
  - Use the feature charts worksheet handout as a way to practice working with features - bring questions next time!
- Optional: Resubmit prep questions 01.23 by 2pm on our next class day, in Canvas Assignments
Upcoming: Skill-check HW #1 is due ~~F Jan 30~~ by class time (12:20pm), in Canvas Assignments
- Assignment handout: SC HW #1 (Māori)
FYI: Be safe in the winter storm | UPDATE:
- No class on M -> We will do M's topic on W and postpone W's topic
- SC HW #1 extended to M Feb 2

M Jan 26

Weather cancellation — no class

[08] W Jan 28

Covered today: Applying the model - Features and segment classes [outline] [Padlet]
- Handout - "Phonological features: Basic model"
- Handout - List of phonological features in our model
- Handout - Feature charts (for practice - do not attempt to memorize!)
- PP|Data set - Arabic consonants
- DE|Data set - Scottish English vowel length rule
To prepare for F Jan 30:
- PP|Data set - Scottish English vowel length rule
- Handout - Feature charts (for practice - do not attempt to memorize!)
- Prep questions 01.30, due F Jan 30, 11am in Canvas Assignments
Upcoming: Skill-check HW #1 is due M Feb 2 by class time (12:20pm), in Canvas Assignments
- Assignment handout: SC HW #1 (Māori)
- Be working on it now - bring questions to class on Friday

[09] F Jan 30

Covered today: Applying the model - Features and segment classes [outline] [Padlet]
- Handout - "Phonological features: Basic model"
- Handout - List of phonological features in our model
- Handout - Feature charts (for practice - do not attempt to memorize!) | Answer key [via Canvas]
- PP|Data set - Scottish English vowel length rule
Assignment: Skill-check HW #1 is due ~~M Feb 2~~ W Feb 4 by class time (12:20pm), in Canvas Assignments
- Assignment handout: SC HW #1 (Māori)

M Feb 2

Weather cancellation — no class

[10] W Feb 4

Covered today: [outline] [Padlet]
- Discussion: SC HW #1
  - Māori
- Morphology and phonology
  - DE|Data set - Lamba
  - Handout - "Morphology and phonology"
To prepare for F Feb 6:
- PP|Data set - Lamba
- PP|Data set - Cree
- Handout - "Morphology and phonology"
- Prep questions 02.06, due F Feb 6, 11am in Canvas Assignments

[11] F Feb 6

Covered today: Alternating morphemes [outline] [Padlet]
- Handout - "Morphology and phonology"
- PP|Data set - Lamba
- PP|Data set - Cree
To prepare for W Feb 11:
- Handout - "Morpheme alternations"
- PP|Data set - Dutch
- Prep questions 02.11, due W Feb 11, 11am in Canvas Assignments

M Feb 9

Well-being day — no class

[12] W Feb 11

Covered today: Practice with choosing URs for alternating morphemes [outline] [Padlet]
- PP|Data set - Dutch
- Audio file - L1 Dutch speaker's English (GMU Speech Accent Archive)
To read for F Feb 13: Odden (2013), Ch 4 excerpts - this reading reinforces the concepts we discussed in our analysis of Dutch in class
- Read sec 4.1, sec 4.2, and sec 4.3 up to p 77 (to the end of the Kerewe analysis)
- Direct access to Ch 4 PDF
- If that fails: Go to Course Reserves on Canvas, click link to view Introducing Phonology (by Odden -- not Hayes!), scroll down to Ch 4, and click "PDF"
To prepare for F Feb 13:
- PP|Data set - Turkish suffixes
- Prep questions 02.13, due F Feb 13, 11am in Canvas Assignments
  - Covers the Odden reading and the Turkish data set

[13] F Feb 13

Covered today: Practice alternating morphemes and making generalizations [outline] [Padlet]
- PP|Data set - Turkish suffixes
- Odden (2013), Ch 4,sec 4.1, sec 4.2, and sec 4.3 up to p 77 [Ch 4 PDF]
To prepare for M Feb 16:
- PP|Data set - Turkish suffixes
- Prep questions 02.16, due F Feb 16, 11am in Canvas Assignments
Upcoming: SC HW #2 next week

[14] M Feb 16

Covered today: Morpheme alternations in our phonological model; Skills practice [outline] [Padlet]
- PP|Data set - Turkish suffixes (pl., gen.)
- PP|Data set - Turkish locatives
To prepare for W Feb 18:
- Try the practice examples on the final discussion slide from today's class
Upcoming: Skill-check HW #2 is due F Feb 20 by class time (12:20pm), in Canvas Assignments
- Assignment handout: SC HW #2 (Koromfé)

[15] W Feb 18

Covered today: Formalizing phonological processes as phonological rules [outline] [Padlet]
- List of data sets
To read for F Feb 20:
- Handout - Formalizing a phonological rule
  This is a longer handout
  - Part 1 summarizes/expands on class discussion about rule formalism
  - Part 2 provides examples of stating rules, using features, generalizing, etc.
- Handout (optional) - Derivations
  - Examples of how to demonstrate the application of a rule to a UR
Assignment: Skill-check HW #2 is due F Feb 20 by class time (12:20pm), in Canvas Assignments
- Assignment handout: SC HW #2 (Koromfé)

[16] F Feb 20

Covered today: Applying our model: Allophones of phonemes [outline] [Padlet]
- DE|Data set - Tohono O'odham
- Handout (optional for now) - Determining the distribution of segments in a language
Upcoming: Midterm exam on W Feb 25
- Midterm exam information and review guide
  - Bring questions/topics Mon, or post to Padlet
- Links now updated on Resources and Further reading web pages

[17] M Feb 23

Covered today: Discussion of SC HW #2; Review for midterm [Padlet]
- SC HW #2 (Koromfé)
- Midterm exam information and review guide
Prepare: Midterm exam on W Feb 25
- Midterm exam information and review guide
  - Be sure to see the information about the notes page!

[18] W Feb 25

Midterm exam

[19] F Feb 27

Covered today: Motivating syllables [outline] [Padlet]
- DE|Data set - English aspiration
To prepare for M Mar 2:
- PP|Data set - Cairene Arabic
- Prep questions 03.02, due M Mar 2, 11am in Canvas Assignments

[20] M Mar 2

Covered today: Diagnosing syllables [outline] [Padlet]
- DE|Data set - English aspiration
- PP|Data set - Cairene Arabic
To prepare for W Mar 4:
- PP|Data set - Tibetan numerals
- Prep questions 03.04, due W Mar 4, 11am in Canvas Assignments

[21] W Mar 4

Covered today: Representing syllables [outline] [Padlet]
- PP|Data set - Tibetan numerals
To read for F Mar 6:
- Handout - Syllables: Argumentation
- Handout - Syllable structure: Overview / Describing syllabification options
To prepare for F Mar 6:
- PP|Data set - English loanwords in Korean
- Prep questions 03.06, due F Mar 6, 11am in Canvas Assignments

[22] F Mar 6

Covered today: Syllable-structure options; Epenthesis and deletion rules [outline] [Padlet]
- PP|Data set - English loanwords in Korean
- Handout - Syllable structure: Overview / Describing syllabification options
To prepare for M Mar 9:
- Prep questions 03.09, due M Mar 9, 11am in Canvas Assignments
- Note that you will need to create/upload an image -- photos/scans of hand drawings are fine, but not HEIC/HEIF files (use docx or PDF if necessary!)
Upcoming: Skill-check HW #3 is due F Mar 13 by class time (12:20pm), in Canvas Assignments
- Assignment handout: SC HW #3 (Italian)
FYI: A further reading resource for syllable structure has now been posted
- This is an optional reading for people who would like another perspective on syllable structure and syllable argumentation

[23] M Mar 9

Covered today: Syllable-structure restrictions; The sonority scale [outline] [Padlet]
- DE|Data set - Japanese vowel sequences
- DE|Data set - Finnish diphthongs
- Handout - Sonority
- DE|Data set - Deriving the sonority scale
To prepare for W Mar 11:
- Excerpt #1: from Abrahamsson & Hyltenstam (2009) [UNC link] on "nativelikeness in a second language"
  - Read Abstract (opening section); in "Part II", skim "Results" (try to get a general understanding of the graphs) and read "Summary" (plus search in article for definition of "native speaker")
- Excerpt #2: from Birkeland et al. (2024) [UNC link] on "rejecting nativeness"
  - Read Abstract and sec 2.1 (plus search in article for definition of "native speaker")
  - Optional: Read sec 6 (not covered in prep questions)
- Prep questions 03.11, due W Mar 11, 11am in Canvas Assignments
Upcoming: Skill-check HW #3 is due F Mar 13 by class time (12:20pm), in Canvas Assignments
- Assignment handout: SC HW #3 (Italian)

[24] W Mar 11

Covered today: Science ethics in linguistics: "Native speaker" [outline] [Padlet]
- Excerpt #1: from Abrahamsson & Hyltenstam (2009) [UNC link] on "nativelikeness in a second language"
  - Read Abstract (opening section); in "Part II", skim "Results" (try to get a general understanding of the graphs) and read "Summary" (plus search in article for definition of "native speaker")
- Excerpt #2: from Birkeland et al. (2024) [UNC link] on "rejecting nativeness"
  - Read Abstract and sec 2.1 (plus search in article for definition of "native speaker")
  - Optional: Read sec 6 (not covered in prep questions)
Assignment: Skill-check HW #3 is due F Mar 13 by class time (12:20pm), in Canvas Assignments
- Assignment handout: SC HW #3 (Italian)

[25] F Mar 13

Covered today: Syllables and argumentation (SC HW #3); Representing glides [outline] [Padlet]
- Assignment handout: SC HW #3 (Italian)
- DE|Data set - Kihehe
- Handout - Representing glides and high vowels
To review for M Mar 23:
- Handout - Representing glides and high vowels

M Mar 16 — F Mar 20

Spring Break

[26] M Mar 23

Covered today: Formalizing syllable-building processes — Rules, or goals? [outline] [Padlet]
- PP|Data set - Tibetan numerals
- DE|Data set - Kihehe
To read for W Mar 25:
- Handout - Representing glides and high vowels (if you haven't read this one yet)
- Handout - Phonology with "goals": Optimality Theory

[27] W Mar 25

Covered today: Goal-based phonology - Introduction to OT [outline] [Padlet]
- DE|Data set - English aspiration
- PP|Data set - Cairene Arabic
To prepare for F Mar 27:
- Prep questions 03.27, due F Mar 27, 11am in Canvas Assignments

[28] F Mar 27

Covered today: Ranking arguments and informative losing candidates [outline] [Padlet]
- DE|Data set - English aspiration
- PP|Data set - Cairene Arabic
To prepare for M Mar 30:
- Prep questions 03.30, due M Mar 30, 11am in Canvas Assignments

[29] M Mar 30

Covered today: Practice with ranking arguments; Markedness and faithfulness constraints [outline] [Padlet]
- DE|Data set - Tibetan numerals
To prepare for W Apr 1:
- Handouts summarizing our OT model so far
  - Handout - OT fundamentals: Constraints and constraint tableaus
  - Handout - Informative losers and ranking arguments
  - Handout - Markedness and faithfulness constraints
- PP|Data set - English syllabification with constraints
- Prep questions 04.01, due W Apr 1, 11am in Canvas Assignments

[30] W Apr 1

Covered today: Syllable-structure analysis in OT [outline] [Padlet]
- PP|Data set - English syllabification with constraints
- Handout - Syllable structure in Optimality Theory
Upcoming: OT analysis quiz on W Apr 8
- Quiz information and review guide
- Review the OT-related handouts (see Resources page for the list)

F Apr 3

Holiday — no class

[31] M Apr 6

Covered today: Factorial typology [outline] [Padlet]
- DE|Data set - Constraint rankings and their predictions
- Handout - Factorial typology
Prepare: OT analysis quiz on W Apr 8
- Quiz information and review guide
- Review the OT-related handouts (see Resources page for the list)
- Factorial typology is not covered

[32] W Apr 8

OT analysis quiz

[33] F Apr 10

Covered today: Child phonology; Intro to segmental phonology in OT [outline] [Padlet]
- DE|Data set - Consonant patterns in child phonology
To prepare for M Apr 13:
- PP|Data set - Greek
- Prep questions 04.13, due M Apr 13, 11am in Canvas Assignments

[34] M Apr 13

Covered today: Review of segmental distribution patterns; Allophones and phonemes with rules and OT [outline] [Padlet]
- PP|Data set - Greek
To prepare for W Apr 15:
- PP|Data set - A CVCV language
- Prep questions 04.15, due W Apr 15, 11am in Canvas Assignments

[35] W Apr 15

Covered today: Allophone distribution in OT; Richness of the Base [outline] [Padlet]
- PP|Data set - Greek
- PP|Data set - A CVCV language
To prepare for F Apr 17:
- Handout - Predictable information in OT and 'Richness of the Base'
- Review our analysis of Greek (so far) and make sure you're clear on the details!
Upcoming: Info about the phonological analysis paper coming on F

[36] F Apr 17

Covered today: Richness of the Base and predictable distribution of segments [outline] [Padlet]
- PP|Data set - Greek
- PP|Data set - Dutch
To prepare for M Apr 20:
- Handout (review) - Determining the distribution of segments in a language
- PP|Data set - Dutch
  - No prep questions are due
  - Prepare for class discussion: What constraints and rankings do we need?
Upcoming: Phonological analysis paper due F Apr 24
- Assignment handout (includes grading criteria)

[37] M Apr 20

Covered today: Factorial typology and segmental distribution [outline] [Padlet]
- PP|Data set - Greek
- PP|Data set - Dutch
To prepare for W Apr 22: Scientific ethics discussion
- Possible topics: Ethics of fieldwork/community interaction ethics/methodology and the role of productivity in linguistic data
- Please fill out the anonymous survey (GDocs) by 5pm on Tuesday to vote!
Upcoming: Phonological analysis paper due F Apr 24
- Assignment handout (includes grading criteria)

FYI:

flyer

Keynote address - "On the Nature of Word-internal Language Mixing", Faruk Akkus, UMass Amherst
Poster session by LING MA students

[38] W Apr 22

Covered today: Scientific ethics in linguistics: Working with speakers and communities [outline] [Padlet]
Upcoming: Phonological analysis paper due M Apr 27 at 11:59pm in Canvas "Assignments"
- Assignment handout (includes grading criteria)

FYI:

flyer

Keynote address (3:30-4:30) - "On the Nature of Word-internal Language Mixing", Faruk Akkuș, UMass Amherst
Poster session (4:45-6:00) - LING MA students

[39] F Apr 24

Covered today: Segmental phonology in OT; Final-exam information [review guide] [Padlet]
To prepare for M Apr 27:
- Bring questions and thoughts you have about phonology
- We will look at some big-idea topics like second-language phonology, theories of OT constraints, etc.
- A last chance to ask clarification questions about the analysis paper!
Upcoming: Phonological analysis paper due M Apr 27 at 11:59pm in Canvas "Assignments"
- Assignment handout (includes grading criteria)

FYI:

flyer

Keynote address (3:30-4:30) - "On the Nature of Word-internal Language Mixing", Faruk Akkuș, UMass Amherst
Poster session (4:45-6:00) - LING MA students

[40] M Apr 27

Covered today: Final-exam review; General discussion [outline] [Padlet]
- Final exam information and review guide
Assignment: Phonological analysis paper due M Apr 27 at 11:59pm in Canvas "Assignments"
- Assignment handout (includes grading criteria)
FYI: Exam review session on Tu May 5 or W May 6
- Vote in poll (Canvas link) if you have a preference (anonymous ok!) by F May 1
- Day/time/room to be announced M May 4

Daily syllabus

Phonology · Spring 2026