For this course, it is important that the student have an advanced level of language and conversation. He / She must have completed four to six semesters of college- level Spanish.
This course is to serve as an introduction to the study of Spanish phonetics and phonology. As the Spanish language continues to grow in popularity, it can be observed in Spain and Latin America that its native speakers become more conscious of the characteristics that separate and unite their common language. This trend produces a curiosity to learn its different manifestations, particularly in Costa Rica, Central America and the Caribbean.
This course will aid the non-native Spanish speaker to acquire a more accurate pronunciation. The student will need to recognize the need to make an absolute distinction between Spanish and English, because if they do not, they will have the tendency to speak with an English intonation and reduce the number syllables in words.
Being an introductory course, there will be more of a theoretical approach to the material, but at the same time, practical applications to the different topics.
GENERAL and SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES
1. Provide the student with the theoretical framework of the origins of the Spanish language
1.1 Explain the principal theories that differentiate phonology versus phonetics
1.2 Distinguish the articulation of Spanish vowels and consonants
1.3 Define and differentiate phonetics, phonology, graphemes, phonemes, and others
2. Understand the differences of some characteristic phonemes of Costa Rican Spanish.
2.1 Provide homework and assignments for students to recognize these differences
2.2 Identify the differences in sounds through exercises
2.3Distinguish such sounds with different exercises
3. Learn the distribution of phonemes in Spanish compared with that of English
3.1 Analyze the different positions that these Spanish phonemes occupy and what they are called
3.2 Identify these through written, spoken, and listening exercises the position of phonemes and their correct term in accordance with the word
3.3 Learn related organs and points of articulation
4. Study different common Spanish spelling errors that result from phonetic problems
4.1 Explain the problems with the examples
4.2 Apply these lessons on errors in written and oral exercises
4.3 Apply these in research
5. Instruct on how to make syllable divisions and accents in Spanish
5.1 Explain different the rules of different combinations
5.2 Distinguish these uses through examples with words
5.3 Apply these rules with phrases and texts
6. Establish the prosodemes of Spanish: intonation and accent
6.1 Define accents / stress in Spanish and recognize them through exercises
6.2 Indentify phonic groups and pauses
6.3 Use these in written and oral language
Evaluation Guidelines
The student will be evaluated in four different ways:
1 Attendance is very important because everyday there will be different activities where the student should participate in order to develop his / her oral, written, and listening skills and reading comprehension (10%).
2 Homework is a compliment to the material studied to see how much the student has understood and improve consequent courses (10%)
3 A short presentation on two theories that will be assigned according to the Professor’s choice of topic. The student must complete some requirements given beforehand. (10%)
4 Written quizzes (30%). There will be three short quizzes that will each count for 10% and a final presentation in pairs in Session 15 that will count for 20%. This will be on a topic discussed in class and developed with various activities. There should be a handout for the students and professor.
5 Final Paper. Investigate the phonetic differences in each Latin American country. Each student may choose whatever country they wish. They should have examples and interview someone from that country (20%). This work will be done individually, and presented in Session 13 and 14 (written and oral)
EVALUATION
Attendance and Participation in Class 10% Homework, Assignments 10 % Quizzes 30 %
Short Presentation 10 %
Final Paper 20 %
Final Presentation 20 %
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