Coursework
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT (due in class of Week 1): Write a one-page introduction (max 250 words, not including the bibliography) to one of the topics listed below.
The purpose of this assignment is to give you a deeper insight to one aspect of German phonetics / phonology, and to give you practise in researching a linguistics topic and presenting your work to a professional standard.
• In your answer, you must refer to at least three of the works given in the bibliography, in addition to the set text by Hall.
• One of the books you refer to must be in German. Make sure you reference appropriately and provide a full bibliography (see separate handouts!), as 25% of the marks will be allocated to presentation!
• This is only a short assignment, but it will take you quite a bit of time to consult the books on the bibliography and to decide which ones have useful information on your chosen topic. Plan time for it!
• Do not try and cover everything in 250 words – since your text is just an introduction to the topic, restrict yourself to the most important and interesting points; your detailed references (including page numbers) will allow the reader to follow up the topic in more detail.
1. The allophones of r in German and in English
2. The structure of the syllable in German (why fplug and rborst are not possible German words, but Blug and Strob are)
3. Auslautverhärtung (which explains the fact that Rad and Rat are pronounced the same)
4. Affricates pf, ts, ks – one phoneme or two?
5. ç and x – their relationship (as in ich and ach, but also Buch and Bücher)
6. Diphthongs in German and in English
7. Intonation in German and contrasts with English
The purpose of this assignment is to give you a deeper insight to one aspect of German phonetics / phonology, and to give you practise in researching a linguistics topic and presenting your work to a professional standard.
• In your answer, you must refer to at least three of the works given in the bibliography, in addition to the set text by Hall.
• One of the books you refer to must be in German. Make sure you reference appropriately and provide a full bibliography (see separate handouts!), as 25% of the marks will be allocated to presentation!
• This is only a short assignment, but it will take you quite a bit of time to consult the books on the bibliography and to decide which ones have useful information on your chosen topic. Plan time for it!
• Do not try and cover everything in 250 words – since your text is just an introduction to the topic, restrict yourself to the most important and interesting points; your detailed references (including page numbers) will allow the reader to follow up the topic in more detail.
1. The allophones of r in German and in English
2. The structure of the syllable in German (why fplug and rborst are not possible German words, but Blug and Strob are)
3. Auslautverhärtung (which explains the fact that Rad and Rat are pronounced the same)
4. Affricates pf, ts, ks – one phoneme or two?
5. ç and x – their relationship (as in ich and ach, but also Buch and Bücher)
6. Diphthongs in German and in English
7. Intonation in German and contrasts with English