DOCUMENTACIÓN GENERAL

5.0. SUMMARY

The topic of our discussion in this unit has been the concept of theories. You have learnt to define a theory. You can now distinguish different definitions of a theory. You can now mention some types of theories. You can now mention the functions of a theory.

There is no doubt that what you have learnt in this unit will be very useful to you for the rest of the units in this course.

6.0. TUTOR-MARKED ASSIGNMENTS

UNIT 13

LANDMARKS IN THE HISTORY OF PHONETICS (ANTIQUITY –RENAISSANCE)

TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0. Introduction 2.0. Objectives

3.0. Landmarks in the history of phonetics 3.1. The concept of landmarks

3.2. Important periods in the history of phonetics 3.3. Important places in the history of phonetics 3.4. Landmarks in the antiquity

3.4.1. Landmark figures in India 3.4.2. Landmark activities in India

3.4.3. Landmark figures in the Greco-Roman Empire 3.4.4. Landmark activities in the Greco-Roman Empire 3.5. Landmarks in the middle ages

3.5.1. Landmark figures in the middle ages

3.5.2. Landmark activities during the Renaissance 3.6. Landmarks during the Renaissance

3.6.1. Landmark figures during the Renaissance 3.6.2. Landmark activities during the Renaissance 3.6.2.1. Observation of speech sounds

3.6.2.2. Study of the sound system of pronunciation 3.6.2.3. Observation of the speech sounds

3.6.2.4. Teaching of the deaf 3.7. Self assessment exercise 4.0. Conclusion

5.0. Summary

6.0. Tutor-marked assignment 7.0. References and other resources

1.0. INTRODUCTION

Welcome to Unit 13, the first unit in this module on theories and schools of thought in linguistics and phonetics. Let us quickly remind ourselves of the discussion we had on the transition unit introducing this module, precisely the very last unit. You will recall that unit 12 was focused on the concept of theories. Do you recall that in that unit, we gave several definitions of the concept of theory? Remember we defined a theory as a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world, i.e. an organized system of accepted knowledge that applies in a variety of circumstances. You will recall as well that theory was presented in the light of a tentative insight into the natural world in which case a scientific hypothesis that survives experimental

becomes a scientific theory. Remember other definitions of a theory included inter alia, its being a branch of science or art consisting of its explanatory principles, its being an abstract construct that contrasts with experience, its being a major guiding principle for research. Remember we discussed some basic theories in psychology as being examples of types of theories.

You will certainly remember that we discussed some of the uses of theories. Do you recall our presenting theory as a knowledge-related construct that helps not only in building knowledge but also in binding disparate knowledge together?

Remember we told you that as a guide to research, a theory provides different lenses to the researches. You will recall that no meaningful research will be carried out in the absence of an underlying theory that will guide the research questions, the literature review to be made in order to ascertain what sort of data should be sought and collected. You remember we told you that it is also the theory that will direct the discussion of the findings and equally help in generating further testable hypothesis. Remember we even told you what to look out for in assessing the soundness of a theory. Accordingly we told you that a good theory must be one that explains findings, has implications and generates further hypothesis for subsequent verification.

Of course you have not forgotten that we announced in the last unit that it was only an introduction to the third module of this course where the focus is entirely on theories and trends in phonetics and linguistics. That introduction certainly suggests that for the rest of the units of this module discussions will centre on theory-related trends in phonetics and linguistic schools of thought.

As a follow-up to our last unit, therefore we are going to trace the trends and history of theories that have helped to shape knowledge in linguistics, in general, and in phonetics, in particular.

In this unit, therefore, we are going to discuss the historical landmarks in the development of phonetics. We are going to define the concept of landmarks.

You will learn about the 6 different periods in the history of the development of phonetics. You will learn about the first three periods in the history of the development of phonetics comprising the Antiquity, the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. You will equally learn about the landmark icons in the history of phonetics in the Antiquity. You will also learn about the landmark events and activities in the development of phonetics in the Middle Ages. You will also learn about the landmark icons in the development of phonetics in the Renaissance. You will learn about the landmark events and activities that characterised the development of phonetics in the Renaissance.

2.0. OBJECTIVES

On completion of this unit, you should be able to:

1. Define the concept of landmarks.

2. Identify the 6 landmark periods in the history of phonetics.

3. Mention the 2 major places in the history of phonetics

4. Mention the names of the important personalities in the history of