Sem:Experimental Phonology

3 Credits · Level: Graduate, Undergraduate

Experimental testing can usefully confirm and extend various aspects of phonological theory. This class is intended to provide an introduction to experimental phonology. In this course, we will examine (a) how to derive experimentally testable predictions from a theory, (b) how to design and run an experiment, and (c) how to interpret the results. The class has several goals: • Consider the relation between phonological theory, empirical predictions, and experimental results • Gain practical knowledge in designing and carrying out experiments, including; Creating and controlling test stimuli Choosing an experimental paradigm Setting up and running the experiment Basic data analysis, using R • Gain familiarity with some commonly used experimental paradigms, comparing what they can tell us about the linguistic system The class will be arranged around a set of theoretical hypotheses concerning principles of phonology that have benefited from experimental investigation. Tentatively, topics may include perceptibility and contrast, statistical generalization from the lexicon, biased generalization, and loanword adaptation.