Language Study Phonetics/Phonemics Apling 627 Spring 2008

Principles of Modern Linguistics

Languages and Dialects Legitimate systems of communication Systematic and rule-governed No one language/dialect is better than another –All languages have a standard dialect –Dialects of languages ‘compete’ for varying levels of status and legitimacy Northern American English ‘five’ [faiv] Southern American English ‘five’ [fa:v]

Necessary Distinctions Prescriptive vs. descriptive approaches to language study –Descriptive: vowels are lengthened before voiced consonants (e.g. [fæt] vs. [fæ:d]) –Prescriptive: [nukliər] is the ‘correct’ pronunciation of nuclear; [nukyulər] is incorrect

Language Change Natural Does not involve decline or decay –Variations in the pronunciation of nuclear, for instance, natural/inevitable –Newer changes take time to gain full acceptance

Speech and Writing Speech is primary Writing is secondary –Recently these claims have come under criticism

Components of Language Grammar –Psychological Pragmatics –Social

Controversies Not all linguists study grammar/pragmatics –Importance of each disputed Boundary between grammar/pragmatics not always clear

Teaching Considerations Can pronunciation be taught? –Is pronunciation that important? –Should we strive for ‘accurate’ or ‘fluent’ pronunciation? –How much formal instruction in pronunciation should students be given? –What types of practice with pronunciation should they receive?