社會語音學

Sociophonetics is a dynamic field at the intersection of sociolinguistics and phonetics. This course explores two major domains within sociophonetics: language variation and change and self-presentation and social interaction. We will examine how sociophoneticians address key questions, such as why and how certain linguistic features become widespread and dominant, and how phonetic analysis can illuminate micro-social and sociopsychological mechanisms underpinning linguistic behaviour. Through a combination of theoretical discussions, hands-on workshops, and critical engagement with research papers, this course provides an in-depth understanding of sociophonetic methodologies and the social factors influencing linguistic variation. The schedule introduces foundational concepts in sociolinguistics (including the first, second, and third waves of sociolinguistics), practical tools (e.g., vowel normalization, tone normalization), and advanced topics like gender, sexuality, cognitive sociolinguistics, and algorithmic bias. Students will also critically explore broader sociolinguistic theories, such as enregisterment, stylization, and language ideology, with the aim of connecting sociophonetics to larger social and cultural dynamics. This course is designed for:  Students interested in sociophonetics and its applications,  Students aiming to pursue careers in variationist sociolinguistics, and  Students looking to incorporate social dimensions into their phonetic research but who may be new to sociolinguistic theory. While we will introduce basic sociolinguistic theories, the primary focus is on applying sociophonetic methodologies to empirical research. Students seeking a deeper theoretical exploration (e.g., language ideology, orders of indexicality) are encouraged to take the "Seminar on Sociolinguistic Theories" after completing this course. Course Format:  Taught in English  Includes lectures, workshops, paper discussions, and student-led paper discussions

HSFL20018 Phonetics/Phonology OR HSGF30008 Phonetics If you have not taken any of the above courses but are keen to learn sociophonetics this semester, feel free to talk to the instructor.

The next offering of the Sociophonetics course is scheduled for Fall 2026. This is a graduate-level course primarily designed for master's students but is also open to undergraduate students who wish to enroll. Undergraduate students should note that this course adheres to the rigorous standards of a graduate program and is not one that can be passed with minimal effort. Dedication and active participation are essential for success.

Leading Paper Discussion (20%) • Each student (for PG students) or small group (for UG students; up to 3 persons) will lead a one-hour discussion on an assigned course reading. • Responsibilities include: o Preparing a brief summary of the paper, highlighting its main contributions, methods, and implications. o Formulating 2 discussion questions to encourage critical engagement with the material. o Leading discussion on peers' pre-class questions about the reading. o Incorporating relevant materials or related issues from outside the assigned paper (e.g., additional studies, real-world examples, multimedia, or related theoretical frameworks) to provide a broader context and enrich the discussion. Response to Discussion Questions on Required Readings (20%) • Submit written responses to discussion questions based on the required readings (2 submissions total). • The instructor will provide discussion questions on assigned readings for Week 2 to Week 11. • Choose any two weeks to submit your responses, ensuring a close reading of the material for those weeks. • Responses must engage thoughtfully and critically with the assigned questions. • Submission Deadline: Before the class in which the readings are discussed. Questioning (20%) • Propose one thoughtful and relevant question for each of the required and discussion readings for 10 weeks (out of 16 weeks). • Email your question to the instructor (and the discussion leader) at least one day before the corresponding class. Workshop Exercises (15%) • Participate in three practical workshops on sociophonetic methodologies (i.e., vowel normalization, tone normalization, vowel overlap). • Submit completed exercises for evaluation. Final Term Mini-Project (25%) • Conduct a mini-research project (1,500-2,000 words in English, excluding references), integrating concepts and methodologies covered in the course. • Individual projects for PG students; Group projects for UG students (up to 3 persons) • The project must include: o Introduction: A brief literature review that leads to a research gap. (around 500 words) o Research Question: Clearly defined and relevant to sociophonetics. (around 100 words) o Methodology: Description of the data collection and analysis process. (around 400 words) o Results: Presentation and interpretation of results, connecting them to the research question. (around 500 words) o Discussion: Connecting the results to previous literature on sociophonetics (around 500 words) * Undergraduate students can opt out of the final-term mini-project by selecting an alternative grading track. This track includes leading two discussions (40%), three responses to the required readings (25%), questioning (20%), and workshop exercises (15%).

• Second to third-wave sociolinguistics
• Special topics
• Sociolinguistics and cognitive science
• First wave sociolinguistics

Assigned readings. They are mostly journal articles. Please make sure you are ready to read two academic journal articles per week.

時間

By appointment

聯絡方式

Email me to schedule an appointment via tla.wan@nycu.edu.tw