Accent Dialect Modification Sample Syllabi

Course Description

This course uses a lecture discussion format to survey current methods in and approaches to accent/dialect modification. The purpose of the course is to prepare the student to modify the oral communication skills of the adult non-native speaker of English and/or speakers of a dialectal variety of American English.

Course Objectives

Following this course, the student will be able to-

describe the characteristics of at least four English dialects in use in the United States;
describe/discuss psychosocial factors involved in the loss or manipulation of one's dialect;
design an appropriate case history questionnaire for non-native speakers seeking to modify their accents;
elicit appropriate data on which to base analysis and training;
analyze the phonology of a given dialect and compare/contrast it with standard English including-
- presence/absence of English consonants,
- allophonic changes in consonants shared by both languages,
- substitutions for sounds not in the primary language,
- presence/absence of English vowels,
- substitutions for vowels not in the primary language;
analyze vocal dynamics including-
- pitch,
- volume,
- quality,
- intonation,
- resonance;
analyze the prosodic features of a dialect (stress, intonation, phrasing, linking, and rate);
identify/describe the primary characteristics of American English phonology and intonation;
plan, develop, and execute a dialect modification program for an individual and/or group of 2-10 people.

Required Texts

Cheng, L.L. (1991). Assessing Asian language performance: Guidelines for evaluating limited English proficient students (2nd ed.). Oceanside, CA: Academic Communication Associates.

Grate, H. G. (1974). English pronunciation exercises for Japanese students . New York: Regents Publication Co.

Class Outline

Class 1: Course introduction/Organization

Video/audio tape baseline analysis of Hmong speakers
Language as reflection of culture
Culture versus ethnicity
Dominant features of American culture
Scope of accent/dialect issues in U.S.
Client perspectives
Dialect assessment and distribution of tapes
Cheng-Chapters 1 & 2

Class 2: Psychosocial Issues in Loss/Modification of Dialect

Role-playing exercise
Characteristics of selected dialects
Basic elements/principles of assessment
Overview design of case history/background questionnaire
Summary of published assessment procedures with taped segments played in class
Womack & Bernstein - chapter 3
Cheng-Chapters 1 & 2
Dialect handout

Class 3: Elements of Clinical Analysis

Phonological
Presence/absence of English consonants
Allophonic changes in consonants shared by both languages
Substitutions for sounds not in the primary language
Presence/absence of English vowels
Typical substitutions
Voice components
Intonation patterns
Word and sentence
Prosodic factors
Computer speech
Lab analysis of various intonation contours
Cheng-Chapter 3
Transcription assignment
Grate, overview of vowel/consonant lessons
Grate, lessons 17, 27, 34, 42, 45, 56, and 87
Intonation assignment

Class 4: The therapy process

Approaches and techniques
Speechworks: The accent reduction program
Specific published therapy programs
Cheng-Chapter 4
Dialect assignment due

Class 5: Discussion

Dialect assessment assignment
Video/audio tape analysis repeated, "post test"
Components of an accent reduction course
Planning, developing and executing a dialect modification program for an individual or small group (2-10 people, e.g., Compton, Stern, Sikorski)
Cheng-Chapters 5 & 6
Training program assignment due