Introduction to Spanish Phonetics

This course is an introduction to: (1) the fundamental notions and concepts that allow the analysis of the sounds used in natural languages, and (2) the system of sounds and phonemes in contemporary Spanish. Hence, no previous training in phonetics or phonology is needed. The course has two components: (a) a descriptive one: which are the sounds of Spanish? What are they like and how are they pronounced? In which contexts and situations do they appear, and (b) an applied-practical one: contrasting these sounds with those in English, identifying the pronunciation challenges for students of Spanish as a Second Language and addressing them. The goal will be to help remove the foreign accents as regards phonic units. (1 unit)

Required texts: Armin Schwegler, Juergen Kempff, A. Ameal-Guerra, Fonética y fonología españolas (Wiley & Sons, 4th ed., 2010).

This course is cross-listed with Professional Preparation for Teachers