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] Tu Aug 20

• Covered today: [outline] [Padlet]
  • Introduction to the course structure
    • Handout - Course information and policies
    • Handout - Course policy revision: Skill-check HW assignments (posted Oct 17, 2024)
    • Classroom Emergency Checklist
  • Introduction to the course content
    • Some English tongue twisters
• Prepare: Be familiar with basic phonetics symbols and terms; bring any questions next time for review and discussion
  • Handout - "Basic phonetics review" | Quiz on Tu Aug 27
  • Padlet board, for submitting (anonymous) questions before class
  • 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 Aug 23, 11:59pm

[02] Th Aug 22

• Covered today: Review of Ling 101-level phonetics material [outline] [Padlet]
  • FYI: MRI images of "retroflex" vs. "bunched" [ɹ] in American English
• Prepare: Phonetics quiz on Tu Aug 27
  • For preparation and practice, see links posted last class
  • Try the practice exercises in sections 4, 5 of today's outline!
  • Padlet board, for submitting (anonymous) questions before class

[03] Tu Aug 27

• Covered today:
  • Phonetics check-in; phonology as science [outline] [Padlet]
  • Phonetics quiz

[04] Th Aug 29

• Covered today: Building models and testing hypotheses; representing segments and classes [outline] [Padlet]
  • Data set - Arabic consonants (PP)
  • Data set - Turkish suffixes (PP)
• To read for Th Sept 5: Handout - Phonological features: Basic model
• Practice problems: Can each phonologically natural class be uniquely described in terms of the phonological features in our model?
  • Arabic consonants - Try it for consonant groups (a)-(e)
  • Turkish suffixes - Try it for the six vowel groups we identified in class discussion
  • These go with prep questions 09.05, due Th 10:00am (on Canvas, in Assignments)

Tu Sept 3

• Well-being day — no class

[05] Th Sept 5

• Covered today: Working with our feature model: Segment classes [outline] [Padlet]
  • Handout - Phonological features: Basic model
  • Data set - Arabic consonants (PP)
  • Data set - Turkish suffixes (PP)
• Practice problems:
  • Data set - Scottish English vowel length rule
  • This goes with prep questions 09.10, due Tu 10:00am (on Canvas, in Assignments)

[06] Tu Sept 10

• Covered today: Applying our model: Environments, phonemes, allophones [outline] [Padlet]
  • Handout - Phonological features: Basic model
  • Data set - Tohono O'odham
  • Data set - Scottish English vowel length rule (PP)
• To read for Th Sept 12:
  • Handout - Determining the distribution of segments in a language
• Practice problem:
  • Data set - Italian nasals
  • This goes with prep questions 09.12, due Th 10:00am (on Canvas, in Assignments)
• Features practice: Feature charts handout for extra practice
  • Answer key available on Canvas (but try on your own first!)
  • Any questions? Bring them next time (or post to Padlet)

[07] Th Sept 12

• Covered today: Phonology and morphology; alternating morphemes [outline] [Padlet]
  • Data set - Italian nasals (check-in)
  • Data set - Lamba
  • Handout - Feature charts
• To read for Tu Sept 17:
  • Handout - Morphology and phonology
  • Handout - Morpheme alternations
• Practice problem: Dutch
  • What morphemes alternate in this data set? What are their URs? What phonological processes do we need to propose?
  • This goes with prep questions 09.17, due Tu 10:00am (on Canvas, in Assignments)

[08] Tu Sept 17

• Covered today: Alternating morphemes; URs and phonological processes [outline] [Padlet]
  • Data set - Dutch (PP)
  • Audio file - L1 Dutch speaker's English (GMU Speech Accent Archive)
• To read for Th Sept 19: 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"
• Practice problem: Use features to express the generalizations about the morpheme alternations that we have been analyzing in the following data sets:
  • Data set - Lamba
  • Data set - Dutch
  • This goes with prep questions 09.19, due Th 10:00am (on Canvas, in Assignments)

[09] Th Sept 19

• Covered today: Modeling morpheme alternations with phonological rules [outline (updated)] [Padlet]
  • Data set - Dutch (PP)
  • Data set - Lamba (PP)
• Prepare: Review features and how we use them to describe classes of sounds
  • Review handout - Phonological features: Basic model
  • Practice - Feature charts worksheet handout
  • Use the Padlet board to submit anonymous questions and comments about features
• FYI: Some optional readings will shortly be posted on the Further reading page for those who would like more examples, more background, or another perspective on course topics

[10] Tu Sept 24

• Covered today: Generalizing phonological rules; Morpheme alternations vs. allophone distribution [outline] [Padlet]
  • Data set - Turkish suffixes
  • Data set - Tohono O'odham
  • Handout - Formalizing a phonological rule
  • Handout - Derivations
• To read for Th Sept 26:
  • Choose one of these two articles to skim for big ideas and main points
    • Abrahamsson & Hyltenstam (2009) [UNC link] on nativelikeness in a second language
    • Birkeland et al. (2024) [UNC link] on problems with the concept of "native speaker"
  • This goes with prep questions 09.26, due Th 10:00am (on Canvas, in Assignments)
• Upcoming: Write-up #1 | Data set - Somali
  • Due Th Oct 3 by 11:59pm in Canvas Assignments
  • Start early: separate the morphemes, identify alternations
  • Apply the skills and concepts we have been developing in prep questions and class discussions!
  • What is the class collaboration policy on assignments?
  • Be sure to read the two new handouts from today (see above)

[11] Th Sept 26

• Covered today: Scientific ethics in linguistics research [outline] [Padlet]
  • Abrahamsson & Hyltenstam (2009) [UNC link] on nativelikeness in a second language
  • Birkeland et al. (2024) [UNC link] on problems with the concept of "native speaker"
• Upcoming: Write-up #1 | Data set - Somali
  • Due Th Oct 3 by 11:59pm in Canvas Assignments
  • Apply the skills and concepts we have been developing in prep questions and class discussions!
  • What is the class collaboration policy on assignments?
  • Be sure to read the two new handouts from last time (see above)

[12] Tu Oct 1

• Covered today: Motivating syllables; introduction to syllable structure [outline] [Padlet]
  • Data set - English aspiration
• FYI: Software and files for aspiration demo
  • Intro handouts and link to free download for the Praat speech analysis software that we used in class (from LING 520, Fall 2022)
• Assignment: Write-up #1 | Data set - Somali
  • Due Th Oct 3 by 11:59pm in Canvas Assignments

[13] Th Oct 3

• Covered today: Motivating syllables (cont.) [outline] [Padlet]
  • Data set - English aspiration
• FYI: Software and files for aspiration demo
  • Intro handouts and link to free download for the Praat speech analysis software that we used in class (from LING 520, Fall 2022)
• Assignment: Write-up #1 | Data set - Somali
  • Due Th Oct 3 by 11:59pm in Canvas Assignments
• Upcoming: Data set - Cairene Arabic
  • We will discuss this data set in class next time (no preparation is assigned)

[14] Tu Oct 8

• Covered today: Diagnosing and representing syllable structure [outline] [Padlet]
  • Data set - Cairene Arabic
• To read for Th Oct 10:
  • Handout - Syllables: Argumentation
• Prepare: Tibetan
  • This goes with prep questions 10.10, due Th 10:00am (on Canvas, in Assignments)
  • Note: If you are having trouble writing a simple, general rule for this data set, reconsider your assumptions!

[15] Th Oct 10

• Covered today: Diagnosing syllable structure; syllable-structure options and syllable-building rules [outline] [Padlet]
  • Data set - Tibetan
• To read for Tu Oct 15:
  • Handout - Syllables: Overview / Describing syllabification options
  • Handout - Syllable-building rules
• Prepare:
  • Answer prep questions 10.10, due Tu 10:00am (on Canvas, in Assignments)
  • On your own, prepare for discussion of the English loanwords in Korean data set
    • How many syllabification options can you determine, from parts A-B?
    • Practice applying syllable-building rules with data from parts A-B
    • What is unexpected about part C?

[16] Tu Oct 15

• Covered today: Applying the model - Building syllables; epenthesis and deletion [outline] [Padlet]
  • Data set - English loanwords in Korean
• FYI: Skill-check HW #1-3 (optional!) are due Th Oct 24 at 11:00am/class time (on Canvas, in Assignments)
  • Course policy revision: Skill-check HW assignments
  • The assignments:
    • SC HW #1: Vowels in Inuktitut (phoneme/allophone distribution)
    • SC HW #2: Inuktitut and phonological features (applying and justifying a feature model)
    • SC HW #3: English loanwords in Hawai'ian (syllable structure and epenthesis)

Th Oct 17

• Fall Break — no class

[17] Tu Oct 22

• Covered today: Restrictions on possible syllable structures; Sonority [outline] [Padlet]
  • Data set - Deriving the sonority scale
  • Handout - Sonority
• Prepare: Exam review on Th Oct 24
  • Review guide
  • See list of all handouts on Resources page
• FYI: Skill-check HW #1-3 (optional!) are due Th Oct 24 at 11:00am/class time (on Canvas, in Assignments)
  • Course policy revision: Skill-check HW assignments
  • The assignments:
    • SC HW #1: Vowels in Inuktitut (phoneme/allophone distribution)
    • SC HW #2: Inuktitut and phonological features (applying and justifying a feature model)
    • SC HW #3: English loanwords in Hawai'ian (syllable structure and epenthesis)

[18] Th Oct 24

• Covered today: Review for midterm [no outline] [Padlet]
  • Review guide
  • Data sets for discussion:
    • WU #1: Somali
    • SC HW #1: Vowels in Inuktitut (phoneme/allophone distribution)
    • SC HW #2: Inuktitut and phonological features (applying and justifying a feature model)
    • SC HW #3: English loanwords in Hawai'ian (syllable structure and epenthesis)
• Upcoming: Midterm exam on Tu Oct 29
  • Resources for reviewing
    • Review guide
    • See Schedule of topics page for quick links to outlines by topic
    • See list of all handouts on Resources page
  • Remember: You may bring a Features list/notes page (see Review guide for details)

[19] Tu Oct 29

• Midterm exam

[20] Th Oct 31 🎃

• Covered today: [outline] [Padlet]
  • Child phonology - Implications for the phonological grammar
    • Data set - Consonant patterns in child phonology
  • Rule conspiracies and other problems with rule-based phonology
    • Data set - Dutch syllables
    • Handout - Phonology with "goals": Optimality Theory
• For next time: Prepare for discussion of phonological model using "goals" and "priorities"
  • What questions or thoughts do you have about this approach?
  • (No prep questions due)

[21] Tu Nov 5

• Covered today: "Goal"-based phonology: Optimality Theory [outline] [Padlet]
  • Data set - Cairene Arabic
  • Data set - English aspiration
• To read for Th Nov 7:
  • Handout - OT fundamentals: Constraints and constraint tableaus
• Prepare: Thinking about candidates and constraints in OT
  • This goes with prep questions 11.07, due Th 10:00am (on Canvas, in Assignments)

[22] Th Nov 7

• Covered today: Finding informative losers; comparative tableau format [outline] [Padlet]
  • Practice - Tableaus for class discussion
  • Data set - Cairene Arabic
  • Data set - English aspiration
• Practice problem: Constraint rankings and their predictions
  • This goes with prep questions 11.12, due Tu 10:00am (now Th) (on Canvas, in Assignments)

[23] Tu Nov 12

• Covered today: Informative losers; ranking arguments; syllable-structure analysis in OT [outline] [Padlet]
  • Data set - English syllabification with constraints
• To read for Th Nov 14:
  • Handout - Markedness and faithfulness constraints
  • Handout - Informative losers and ranking arguments
• Practice problem: Constraint rankings and their predictions
  • This goes with prep questions "11.12 (11.14)", now due Th 10:00am (on Canvas, in Assignments)

[24] Th Nov 14

• Covered today: Factorial typology; OT model predictions [outline] [Padlet]
  • Exercise - Constraint rankings and their predictions
• To read for Tu Nov 19:
  • Handout - Syllable structure in Optimality Theory
  • Handout - Factorial typology: Cross-linguistic predictions in OT
• Practice problem: Greek
  • This goes with prep questions 11.19, due Tu 10:00am (on Canvas, in Assignments)

[25] Tu Nov 19

• Covered today: Complementary distribution; predictable information in OT; Richness of the Base [outline] [Padlet]
  • Exercise - A CVCV language
• To read for Th Nov 21:
  • Handout - Predictable information in OT and 'Richness of the Base'
• Practice problem: Greek (again)
  • This goes with prep questions 11.21, due Th 10:00am (on Canvas, in Assignments)

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