ASSIGNMENT

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HBET1203
ENGLISH PHONETICS AND PHONOLOGY
JANUARY 2020 SEMESTER

SPECIFIC INSTRUCTION

1. Answer in English only.

2. Number of words: 2500 – 3000 words excluding references unless stated otherwise in
the question below.

3. Submit your assignment ONCE only in a SINGLE file.

4. Submit your assignment ONLINE.

5. Submission date: 15th March 2020

6. This assignment accounts for 60% of the total marks for the course.

ASSIGNMENT QUESTION

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English is spoken internationally but that does not mean that the people who speak
English in different places could easily understand English language speakers from
elsewhere around the globe. English in India is also varied. Watch the video below to
complete your assignment. It is a video of the educated and formal version of the Indian
accent.
https://youtu.be/iQaiMoUn-zc

We often have problems understanding other English speakers for several reasons,
among them;
1. Vocabulary – we use different words for the same things and concepts.
2. References – we talk about things that others do not have or do not know of.
3. Grammar – the Englishes we have respectively are influenced by the grammar of
other languages that we speak.
4. Phonetics – we pronounce our words differently.

Assignment tasks:
Answer the following questions in the form of an academic report/ essay.

What are the phonetic features of this Indian accent that differentiates it from
other varieties of English?

Note: Begin your paper with an introduction, the body of the essay elaborating the above
and a conclusion. Use the assignment rubrics as a guide to achieve cohesion and
coherence.
How to do the task:
1. Familiarize yourself with the assignment material by watching the video below.
2. Pay close attention to the phonetic features.
3. Indicate the features that you think is unique to his speech. Please use
https://ipa.typeit.org/ to write your transcriptions.
[Total: 60 Marks]

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 ATTACHMENT
ASSIGNMENT RUBRICS

HBET1203 ENGLISH PHONETICS AND PHONOLOGY/ JANUARY 2020

Criteria Excellent
*QN CLO Weight
4 3
Introduction The introduction is inviting,
states the main topic and
previews the structure of
1 7 2.5
the paper.
Body of essay/  There is one clear, well-
referencing focused topic. Main idea
stands out and is
supported by detailed
information.
 All outside sources are
1 7 5.0 properly cited/
referenced.
 The phonetic and
phonological system is
used throughout the
assignment accurately.
Conclusion The conclusion is strong
and leaves the reader with
1 7 2.5 a feeling that they
understand what the writer
is "getting at."
Coherence Details are placed in a
logical order and the way
they are presented
effectively keeps the
1 7 2.5
interest of the reader.
Good
The introduction clearly
states the main topic and
previews the structure of
the paper, but is not
particularly inviting to the
reader.
 Main ideas of both
paragraphs are clear.
 Most supporting details
are appropriate and
relevant. Most outside
sources are properly
cited/ referenced.
 The phonetic and
phonological system is
used throughout the
assignment.
The conclusion is
recognizable and gives
closure to the essay.
There are clear attempts
to use cohesive devices to
link details but in one or
two places, writing
appears incoherent.
Fair Poor Unsatisfactory Max
2 1 0 Marks
The introduction states the There is no clear There is no
main topic, but does not introduction of the introduction.
adequately preview the main topic or structure
10
structure of the paper nor of the paper.
is it particularly inviting to
the reader.
 One of the paragraphs  The main ideas in all  Main ideas in all
has a clear main idea. paragraphs are not paragraph is
Only some supporting clear. There is a inappropriate and
details are appropriate strong evidence of relevant.
and relevant. Most plagiarism.  Writing is generally
outside sources are not  The phonetic and plagiarized.
cited/ referenced phonological system  The phonetic and 20
properly. is barely used phonological
 The phonetic and throughout the system is not used
phonological system is assignment. in the assignment.
used throughout the
assignment with minor
errors.
The conclusion is There is no clear There is no
recognizable, but does not conclusion, the paper conclusion.
effectively close the essay. just ends. 10
There are attempts to use Writing contains major Writing is confusing
cohesive devices but mistakes in the use of and has a lot of
writing lacks direction that cohesive devices that gaps. No or limited
affected reader’s affected general number of cohesive
10
comprehension. understanding. devices used to
assist
comprehension.

1 7 Language/ 2.5 Writer makes no errors in Writer makes minimal Writer makes some errors Writer makes a lot of Writing is generally 10

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 Grammar grammar or spelling that errors in grammar, in grammar, structure, or errors in grammar, incomprehensible
distracts the reader from structure and spelling that spelling that affect reader’s structure or spelling due to grammar,
the content. does not affect reader’s understanding. that affect reader’s structures and
understanding. comprehension. spelling mistakes.
Total 15 60
Course learning outcomes 1. Identify the main organs of speech and the different places and manner of articulation for different English sounds;
2. Explain the differences between consonants and vowels in terms of the speech proces.
3. Classify the different English consonants and vowels according to articulatory properties;
4. Identify features of connected speech, in particular segmental features, such as assimilation, elision and linking;
5. Analyse the structure of the English syllable and identify the placement of stress in English words;
6. Analyse different suprasegmental aspects of the English intonation system as well as their functions; and
7. Use acoustic phonetic techniques in the analysis of speech sounds.
*QN = Question Number