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SPHL3308 – Speech Production

2020 – Session 1, Weekday attendance, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Convenor
Michael Proctor
michael.proctor@mq.edu.au
Contact via 02 9850 4137
AHH 3.525
Administrative contact
Margaret Wood
margaret.wood@mq.edu.au
Lecturer
Titia Benders
titia.benders@mq.edu.au
Lecturer
Anita Szakay
anita.szakay@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
50cp at 2000 level or above including (LING2217 or LING217)
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

Speech is one of the most complex, yet most natural human behaviours, involving fine coordination of rapidly moving articulators. In this unit, we explore the mechanisms used by speakers of all languages to produce different consonants, vowels, syllables, and larger phonological structures, in infinitely expressive ways. We examine the anatomy and physiology of respiration, phonation, and articulation; the neuroanatomy and neurophysiology of speech and language; development and evolution of speech; and methods used for studying speech production. Practical exercises include analysis of speech gestures in articulographic data.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://students.mq.edu.au/important-dates

Learning Outcomes

  • ULO1: Demonstrate understanding of respiratory anatomy and physiology, and its use in speech
  • ULO2: Demonstrate advanced knowledge of laryngeal anatomy and phonatory physiology
  • ULO3: Identify the various structures associated with articulatory anatomy and physiology and demonstrate an understanding of how these are employed in speech production
  • ULO4: Demonstrate an understanding of neuroanatomy and neurophysiology of speech and language
  • ULO5: Analyse and report on speech data collected via speech physiology instrumentation to engage with theoretical issues in phonetics
  • ULO6: Describe important aspects of embryology, evolution and development in relation to speech processing
  • ULO7: Engage in a research rich environment

General Assessment Information

It is a requirement of this unit that students make a serious attempt to complete all assessment tasks. Failure to complete all assessment tasks may result in failure in the unit even if the marks for the completed tasks total more than 50%. Each task is required to satisfy the learning objectives of the unit. If the learning objectives have not been met then a pass grade cannot be awarded.

Lateness

  • Late submissions without an extension will receive a penalty of 3% of the total mark available for the assessment task per day including weekend days (i.e. this is 3% of the total marks possible for the task – NOT 3% of the marks the student received. For example, if the assessment task is worth 100 marks and the student is two days late their mark for the task is reduced by 6 marks).

  • Late submission of an assessment task without an extension will not be accepted at all:

    • after the date on which marked assessment tasks have been released to the rest of the class

    • more than one week after the end of the teaching session, at the unit convenor's discretion

  • Extensions will only be given in special circumstances, and can be requested by completing the Special Consideration request at: ask.mq.edu.au, and providing the requisite supporting documentation.
  • Extensions that will result in submissions after the assessment task has been returned to the class will require a separate assessment task to be completed at the unit convenor's discretion.
  • For more information on Special Consideration, see: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/my-study-program/special-consideration
  • If a student fails the unit due to non-submission of an assessment task or non-attendance at an exam, an FA grade will be applied in accordance with the University's Assessment Policy. Unit convenors have the discretion to determine whether or not students should fail a unit on the basis of lateness penalties alone if other learning outcomes of the unit have been met.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Research Participation 5% No End of Session
Breathing Quiz 10% No Week 4
Articulographic Analysis 25% No Week 8
Speech Data Analysis 30% No Variable
Final Exam 30% No Exam period

Research Participation

Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 1 hours
Due: End of Session
Weighting: 5%

Students will participate in a study to learn more about current research directions in speech and language, and to gain first-hand experience in the research process. Research participation typically involves one hour of your time. You will be able to choose from a short list of studies being conducted by researchers in Linguistics, Psychology, and Cognitive Science.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Engage in a research rich environment

Breathing Quiz

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 0.5 hours
Due: Week 4
Weighting: 10%

Understanding of respiratory anatomy and physiology will be examined in a 30 minute online quiz, consisting of a mixture of short answer and multiple choice questions.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate understanding of respiratory anatomy and physiology, and its use in speech

Articulographic Analysis

Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: Week 8
Weighting: 25%

The speech gestures underlying consonants and vowels will be identified and analyzed in an utterance of real speech. Data from a speech production database will be analyzed using tools for articulographic analysis. Understanding of speech gestures, coarticulatory processes, and the relationship between articulation and the acoustic speech signal will be demonstrated in a research report describing the findings of the analysis. Indicative report length: 2000 words.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify the various structures associated with articulatory anatomy and physiology and demonstrate an understanding of how these are employed in speech production
  • Analyse and report on speech data collected via speech physiology instrumentation to engage with theoretical issues in phonetics
  • Engage in a research rich environment

Speech Data Analysis

Assessment Type 1: Problem set
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: Variable
Weighting: 30%

Understanding of speech physiology and key methods used to study speech production are examined in problem sets. Each problem set will involve analysis of real speech data. Students will apply their knowledge of the methods used to acquire the data to demonstrate insights into the phonetic properties of the speech samples.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate understanding of respiratory anatomy and physiology, and its use in speech
  • Demonstrate advanced knowledge of laryngeal anatomy and phonatory physiology
  • Identify the various structures associated with articulatory anatomy and physiology and demonstrate an understanding of how these are employed in speech production
  • Analyse and report on speech data collected via speech physiology instrumentation to engage with theoretical issues in phonetics
  • Engage in a research rich environment

Final Exam

Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 1.5 hours
Due: Exam period
Weighting: 30%

Knowledge and understanding of the topics covered in the unit will be assessed in a 90 minute examination, requiring written responses to a range of questions and problems.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate understanding of respiratory anatomy and physiology, and its use in speech
  • Demonstrate advanced knowledge of laryngeal anatomy and phonatory physiology
  • Identify the various structures associated with articulatory anatomy and physiology and demonstrate an understanding of how these are employed in speech production
  • Demonstrate an understanding of neuroanatomy and neurophysiology of speech and language
  • Analyse and report on speech data collected via speech physiology instrumentation to engage with theoretical issues in phonetics
  • Describe important aspects of embryology, evolution and development in relation to speech processing

1 If you need guidance or support to understand or complete this type of assessment, please contact the Learning Skills Team

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation

Delivery and Resources

This unit is designed to foster a detailed understanding of the mechanisms of speech production, including speech anatomy and speech physiology, and the methods used to study speech production processes. These concepts will be studied through an extensive set of readings and multimedia resources, and will be consolidated in a series of companion lectures, workshops and assessment tasks.

Topics to be covered include: respiratory physiology and anatomy; laryngeal anatomy; phonation; articulatory anatomy and physiology; articulatory investigative techniques; neuroanatomy and neurophysiology; and speech production from a developmental perspective. In workshops and assessment tasks, you will be presented with speech data for analysis, to consolidate your understanding of breathing, phonation, articulation, speech kinematics, and the ways that these mechanisms combine to produce different types of speech.

The unit provides students with essential theoretical and practical skills that are fundamental to further study of speech and which assist clinicians in keeping abreast of current research findings in speech and hearing.

Preparation for and attendance at all classes - both workshops and lectures - is expected. Classes are designed to consolidate concepts introduced in readings, through explanation and presentation of examples, engagement with different types of data, questions, discussion, and seminar-type exercises. Learning the concepts necessary to gain a solid understanding of speech production and speech analysis techniques requires dedication, practice, and engagement. We are here to support your learning and we can only do this successfully through structured contact to guide you through the materials and techniques. It is your responsibility to actively engage in the learning process with your teachers and peers.

Unit Schedule

Details of all topics, readings, class schedules, and assessment tasks are provided on iLearn, and updated each week. It is your responsibility to consult iLearn regularly, and make sure you are prepared for each class by familiarizing yourself with all learning resources and requirements.

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central).

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/getting-started/student-conduct​

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.

Student Enquiry Service

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Equity Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/. 

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.