Crash Course in Phonetics

This is an introductory course in Phonetics which is a branch of Linguistics. The target audience of this course is a complete beginner in the field. You do not need to have a degree or previous knowledge in linguistics. The course will explain the basics of phonetics demystifying certain concepts that may hinder you from heading into the field. As an instructor, I used to find it difficult myself when I first came across this field. This is why I made this course. The major goal is to make the basics simple and as interesting as possible for the learner.

Phonetics is the science of speech sounds, of how human beings make sounds and perceive them. The course starts by giving important definitions and comparing phonetics to phonology, accent to dialect, and vowel to consonant. It will also give you a background about phonetic transcription, symbols, and sounds. With time and by familiarizing yourself with these concepts, you will get interested in learning how to transcribe words paying attention to different accents, and appreciating them. It is a guiding light that will help you start your journey and self-study. All you need to have is to speak English.

Happy learning!