Introduction to The Sounds of English
About the course
This course may be taken as a single course. A good command of oral and written English is recommended.
This course introduces students to the pronunciation of English and its cognitive underpinnings, that is, the phonetics and phonology of English. Our focus will be on the two major accents, referred to as BBC English (or Received Pronunciation) and Generalized American English, but we will also look at other regional pronunciation variants. In addition, we will study variation which is determined by social factors such as membership of a particular social group/class or by the formality of the situation, including differences related to pragmatic aspects, as well as historical development.
Admission requirements
Higher Education Entrance Qualification (generell studiekompetanse) or prior learning and work experience (realkompetanse).
A good command of oral and written English is recommended.
Admission code: 9199 - Enkeltemner (ikke realfag), lavere grad (Nordic applicants).
Objectives of the course
The students have the following learning outcomes:
Knowledge
The student has:
- knowledge of the basic concepts of phonetics and phonology.
- knowledge of the phonological system of major English variants.
- an understanding of the ways in which phonological systems can vary and what the reasons might be for this.
Skills
The student is able to / can
- read and write phonetic transcriptions (IPA).
- classify sounds and describe how they are produced.
- analyze ordered sets of phonological data.
- describe and account for different aspects of variation in pronunciation.
This course provides a foundational set of core skills and knowledge in phonology and phonetics that will prepare students for courses specializing in the different subfields of English linguistics, such as those on language change, psycholinguistics, acquisition, and sociolinguistic variation.
Credit reduction
If you pass the examination in this course, you will get an reduction in credits (as stated below), if you previously have passed the following courses:
- ENG-1011 Introduction to English Language II 10 ects
- ENG-1011 Introduction to English Grammar II 10 ects
Teaching methods
13 weeks of teaching (4 hours of teaching per week).
Quality assurance: The course undergoes a midterm evaluation or an end-of-term evaluation every third year.
Language of instruction and examination
Language of instruction and examination: English.Recommended reading/syllabus
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Pensumliste for ENG-1016 Introduction to The Sounds of English (VÅR 2025)Examination
| Off campus exam | Hand in: 02.06.2025 13:00 Hand out: 02.06.2025 09:00 Duration: 4 Hours |
Grade: A–E, fail F |
To take an examination, the student must have passed the following coursework requirements
| Essay | Grade: Approved – not approved |
Everything you need to know about before, during, and after the exam; registration, absence, appeals, and diplomas: UiT Exams homepage