What is the difference between sound and noise? What about speech? Phonetics, a sub field of linguistics, is the scientific study of sound as applied to human language. Every time you say something, you are coordinating a very complex series of physical movements from your diaphragm all the way to the tip of your tongue and lips. These movements result in audible sounds that we can then interpret with incredible accuracy, all without thinking. By studying these sounds we can learn a lot about how language works, from physiology to perception. This is the work of the phonetician. In this class we will use the tools of phonetic analysis, namely sound waves and special diagrams called spectrograms, to think critically about the following question: By looking into the waves of our own speech, what can we learn about our language(s) and about human language in general?

Ever wondered how many languages there are in the world (and why Google won’t give you a direct answer)? Dive into the fascinating world of linguistics, the scientific study of language, in this fun and interactive course! We'll go beyond "grammar rules" to explore the science behind how we talk and make meaning. Learn to analyze your own speech and languages around the world through puzzles and games based on real-life examples. Uncover what you know when you know a language. By the end of this course, you’ll have a sense of how to crack the code of language using he linguistic tools of morphology (word structure), syntax (sentence structure), and phonology (sound structure). Get ready to be amazed by human language!

Did you know that language, like all natural phenomena, can be observed and investigated in a scientific way? What is unique about language is that everyone has their own personal and infinite data set living inside their brain. Learn to examine that data the way a linguist would, and puzzle over things that you may not realize you know about the language that you use every day. Learn how linguistics, the science of language, relates to your world and what you're interested in.