WiSe 2024/25

**Description:**
This course provides you with an elementary introduction to English phonetics and phonology, designed for those who have no previous knowledge whatsoever of the subject. It begins with a very elementary introduction to articulatory phonetics, and then proceeds to introduce the student to a very simplified account of some of the main aspects of the phonological structure of present-day English. Languages other than English will also be examined
to compare and contrast the linguistic structural differences and gain insights on linguistic generalisation.

Objectives
On completion of this course, you should be able to:
• Describe the articulatory processes involved in producing speech sounds of English and other languages.
• Gain a basic fluency with reading and writing the International Phonetic Alphabet
• Perform a phonemic analysis on phonetic data
• Identify similarities and differences among phonetic/phonological systems of a range of languages
• Analyse data provided from natural languages to extract phonological generalizations, and construct arguments from such data to support or to weaken proposals for particular analyses

Laboratory Phonology is the approach to studying phonology–the sound patterns in language–by using experiments. In this course, we will be particularly interested in answering questions about phonology using data from phonetics.

Students will work together to conduct an original experimental study. Skills required to conduct the study will be taught and practiced during the course. The basic outline of the study will be provided, but we will develop the details during the semester. Students will develop the experiment design, conduct recordings, take measurements, analyze data, and interpret results.

Students will use equipment in the new Computational Phonetics lab (https://slam.phil.hhu.de/lab/) in order to conduct the class experiment. Students should expect to work in collaboration with classmates, and active participation in every stage of the course is required for BN credit. Participation in class activities is expected and required.

Language and Health is a seminar course that explores the intersection between language and heatlh.

Through research papers, we will gain a better understanding of how language plays a pivotal role in both assessing health conditions and effectively conveying vital health information. Throughout the course, students will explore the various dimensions of language (spoken speech, written text, sociolinguistic features of non-standard varieties) and its implications for individual and public health. They will gain comprehensive insights into the following key areas:

1. Speech and Language as Biomarkers: Students will learn how speech patterns, linguistic features, and language use can serve as essential indicators of an individual’s physical, cognitive, and emotional well-being. The course will examine research findings that demonstrate the connection between language changes and health conditions, such as neurological disorders, cognitive decline, stress, and mental health.

2. Health Message Communication: Effective communication is vital in disseminating health-related information and promoting healthy behaviors. Participants will explore different communication strategies and how language can impact the reception and comprehension of health messages, especially the challenges and opportunities of providing health information to individuals with diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds. They will study the role of language in influencing attitudes, behaviors, and decision-making processes related to health.

3. Ethics and Privacy: As language-related data is increasingly used for health assessment and communication, ethical considerations and data privacy become critical aspects. This course will foster discussions on ethical practices in language-based health research and the responsible use of data.

In the course, we will sample from existing research papers. You will be asked to read, discuss and summarize your understanding of the papers, through i) short reflection posts (paragraph-size), ii) selected longer research summaries (one page) per theme, and iii) in-class discussions.

Audience: Language and Health is ideal for students with a passion for linguistics, healthcare, psychology, communication studies, and related fields. By the end of the course, participants will possess a well-rounded understanding of the pivotal role language plays in health and well-being, enabling them to contribute to the improvement of healthcare.