SPN 750: Introduction to Spanish Linguistics and Sociolinguistics

• Offered Spring 2002, Spring 2004, Fall 2006, Spring 2008
• Password-protected class page

Textbook to be used Spring 2008

Fonética y fonología españolas (Paperback), by Armin Schwegler and Juergen Kempff; Publisher: Wiley; ISBN: 978-0-471-46649-9; ©2007; 416 pages Textbook only: amazon.com (click on used&new for a better price) compare prices at Froogle prices at half.com campusbooks.com

Course description

An introduction to the fundamentals of linguistics, the scientific study of language, and to the linguistics of the Spanish language. The course begins with an overview of linguistics and Spanish linguistics. Then it examines several areas in more detail, in particular the sound system (phonetics and phonology), dialectal variation (dialectology), and--to a lesser extent--the history of the language from its Latin roots (diachrony). Some aspects of sociolinguistics are also touched upon, such as cross-cultural differences in communication norms. The main focus of the course is the sound system, including spelling, proper pronunciation, and dialectal variation in pronunciation. In Spanish. Uses online enhancements to classroom discussion, in particular the course management tool WebCT, which includes a class mailing list in which students are expected to participate.

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Prerequisites

Strong intermediate to advanced knowledge of Spanish is required. Previous experience in the fields of linguistics and sociolinguistics is a plus, but not required.

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Objetivos/objectives

1. Obtener una panorámica general del estudio científico de las lenguas en general y de la lengua española, o castellana, en particular, para que así el alumno gane una apreciación de la complejidad que entraña el adquirir una lengua, desde el sistema de sonidos y la gramática hasta los matices del significado semántico y el uso de la lengua en la comunicación.
   [To obtain a general overview of the scientific study of language, and in particular that of the Spanish language, in order for the student to appreciate the complexities involved in acquiring a language, from the sound system and the grammar to the nuances of semantic meaning and usage in the act of communication.]
2. Conocer las dificultades que existen en la adquisición de los sonidos del español y de cómo cambian los sonidos en diferentes contextos fonéticos y sociales; para los alumnos que no son nativos, esto incluye la práctica de dichos sonidos.
   [To learn the difficulties involved in the acquisition of the sounds of Spanish by non-native speakers, in particular, by speakers of English, and of how these sounds change in different phonetic and social contexts; for non-native speakers this includes practice of such sounds.]
3. Aprender las reglas y estrategias básicas (regularidades e irregularidades) de la ortografía del español, es decir, de cómo transmitir los sonidos del español a la escritura.
   [To learn the basic rules and strategies of Spanish orthography, that is, committing the sounds of Spanish to writing, including regularities, irregularities, and everything in between.]
4. Aprender las diferencias básicas que existen en la pronunciación del español en sus diferentes dialectos y grupos de dialectos.
   [To learn the basic differences that exist in the pronunciation of Spanish in its different dialects and groups of dialects.]
5. Aprender las nociones básicas sobre el desarrollo del español desde sus orígenes en la lengua latina y las relaciones que existen entre el español y las otras lenguas latinas o románicas.
   [To learn the basic notions about the development of Spanish from Latin and the relationship of Spanish to other languages that are also derived from Latin, the Romance languages.]
6. Cultivar el nivel del español en la comprensión y la expresión, tanto en el habla oral como el escrito, por medio de lecturas, conferencias, y sobre todo por medio de conversaciones y otros intercambios de ideas entre profesor y alumnos, así como de los alumnos entre sí, tanto en el aula, como en la lista electrónica de la clase.
   [To cultivate the Spanish language in all areas, that is in comprehension and production, both orally and in writing, through class lectures, readings, class discussion and discussions in the electronic mailing list.]

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   Textbooks

   Primary textbook used in the past:

   Camino Oral : Fonética, Fonología y Práctica de los Sonidos del Español by Richard V. Teschner Hardcover 2nd Bk&Cs edition (January 2000) Contains 3 CD's. McGraw Hill College Div; ISBN: 0072355581. (At amazon.com: $93 NEW; cheaper USED; At Barnes&Noble: $93 NEW; cheaper USED.) If you are concerned about the high price of this book, I recommend that you find it used and/or without the CD's if you do not need to own them to keep. More information on this coming soon.

   Others books and readings to be announced.

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   Salem State College | Department of Foreign Languages

   Page URL: www.lrc.salemstate.edu/aske/spn750.htm

   Last updated: April 23, 2008

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