The Sounds of the World's Languages
UndergraduateLTU-LIN2SOL2026
Course information for 2026 intake View information for 2025 course intake
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Enrol by
- 22 Feb 2026
- Entry requirements
- Prior study needed
- Duration
- 12 weeks
- Price from
- $592
- Upfront cost
- $0
- Loan available
- HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP available
The Sounds of the World's Languages
About this subject
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Describe the phonetic processes involved in producing, transmitting, and perceiving language.
- Use the International Phonetic Alphabet to transcribe and produce the sounds of the world’s spoken languages.
- Analyse the patterns of sounds within and across spoken languages using specialized linguistic software and methodologies.
- Evaluate the relationship between phonetic and social factors.
- Phonetics
- Consonants
- Vowels
- Tones
- Stress
- Typology
This subject focuses on Phonetics, the study of the link between language and the physical world. In it, you will learn how humans use their bodies to create linguistic signals, how to measure those signals as they travel through the world, and how those signals are interpreted by receivers to convey linguistic and social information. You will learn to use specialized linguistic tools and software to accurately transcribe and analyse spoken language. Finally, you will apply what you’ve learned to real language data to create an original research report.
- IPA Test II (800 word equiv) Produce and transcribe advanced sounds from the International Phonetic Alphabet and identify connected speech processes. (20%)
- Major project (language transcription and analysis) (1600 word equiv) (40%)
- IPA Test I (800 word equiv) Produce and transcribe foundational sounds from the International Phonetic Alphabet. (20%)
- Minor assignment (language transcription & production) (800 word equiv) (20%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
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Entry requirements
Prior study
You must either have successfully completed the following subject(s) before starting this subject, or currently be enrolled in the following subject(s) in a prior study period; or enrol in the following subject(s) to study prior to this subject:
Please note that your enrolment in this subject is conditional on successful completion of these prerequisite subject(s). If you study the prerequisite subject(s) in the study period immediately prior to studying this subject, your result for the prerequisite subject(s) will not be finalised prior to the close of enrolment. In this situation, should you not complete your prerequisite subject(s) successfully you should not continue with your enrolment in this subject. If you are currently enrolled in the prerequisite subject(s) and believe you may not complete these all successfully, it is your responsibility to reschedule your study of this subject to give you time to re-attempt the prerequisite subject(s).
Others
Past La Trobe University students who have previously completed LIN2PHP (Phonetics: The Sounds of Language) are ineligible to enrol in this subject.
Additional requirements
No additional requirements
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.
What to study next?
Once you’ve completed this subject it can be credited towards one of the following courses
UndergraduateLAT-ART-DEG
UndergraduateLAT-BUS-DEG
UndergraduateLAT-HSC-DEG
Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Health Sciences
UndergraduateLAT-AHS-DEG
Bachelor of Psychological Science
UndergraduateLAT-PYS-DEG
Bachelor of Information Technology
UndergraduateLAT-TEC-DEG
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