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Demistifying the Sacred Sound Sigils

Become More Literate in the International Phonetic Alphabet & More Self-sufficient in your Accent Research in 4 Saturdays

Saturday June 24th, July 1st, 8th, & 15th

1–3PM PDT / 4–6PM EDT / 9–11PM BST

Mark Dallas-20200810-457-Edit.jpg

Taught by Mark Dallas,
Founder & CEO of Talk Like That

Mark has trained with Knight-Thompson Speechwork for the past couple of years and has coached actors in accents and dialects for TV, film, audio, and stage productions since 2003.

Recent work includes Waco: The Aftermath for Paramount, Fear Thy Neighbour for Discovery Channel, and several shorts.

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He has been a huge fan of the IPA since the 1990s!

In this course we will...

Call forth the Consonants

Introduction to IPA and Consonant Sounds

  • Overview of the IPA: its purpose and symbols

  • Consonant Sounds and Transcription

  • Introduction to consonant sounds and their representation in the IPA

  • Types of consonant sounds (e.g., plosives, fricatives, nasals)

  • Practice exercises on identifying and producing consonant sounds

  • Transcribing words and phrases containing consonant clusters

Scribble Special Squiggles

Advanced Phonetics and Diacritics
 

  • Exploring advanced IPA symbols and diacritics for precise phonetic transcription

  • Phonemic vs. phonetic transcription

  • Introducing suprasegmental features (e.g., stress, intonation)

  • Exercises on applying diacritics and transcribing complex words

Unveil the Vowel Vault

Vowel Sounds and Transcription

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  • Introduction to vowel sounds and their representation in the IPA

  • Practice exercises on identifying and producing vowel sounds

  • Vowel transcription exercises using familiar words

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Cast Spells with Sigils

Practical Applications and Review

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  • Applying the IPA in practical accent-learning contexts

  • Analyzing and transcribing spoken recordings

  • Reviewing key concepts, symbols, and transcription techniques

  • Kahoot quiz game to test your magic

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What will this course do for me?
 

  • Accurate Pronunciation: The IPA provides a standardized system for representing the sounds of language. By understanding and using the IPA, actors can accurately pronounce words and dialogue in different languages or dialects. This proficiency allows them to effectively portray characters with authenticity and precision.

    Language Acquisition: The IPA helps actors learn new languages more efficiently. It enables them to break down unfamiliar words into their individual sounds, facilitating the acquisition of proper pronunciation. With the IPA, actors can navigate linguistic challenges and perform convincingly in diverse roles that require different accents or languages.

    Dialects and Accents: The IPA serves as a valuable tool for mastering specific dialects or accents. By using the IPA to analyze the speech patterns of a particular region or community, actors can understand the unique sounds and pronunciation features associated with that dialect. This understanding aids in the development of authentic and believable characters.

    Communication with Directors and Co-actors: The IPA provides a common language for discussing and refining speech-related aspects of a performance. By using IPA symbols, actors can communicate specific sounds and nuances to directors and fellow cast members, facilitating effective collaboration and ensuring everyone is on the same page regarding pronunciation and speech characteristics.

    Vocal Flexibility: The IPA promotes vocal flexibility and versatility. By being familiar with the phonetic representation of sounds, actors can expand their vocal range and explore various vocal qualities. They can experiment with different sounds, articulation techniques, and vocal dynamics to create distinct character voices or portray specific emotional states.

    Audition Preparation: When preparing for auditions, actors often encounter unfamiliar words or texts. The IPA equips them with the skills to decipher pronunciation quickly and accurately, ensuring they can confidently tackle any material that comes their way. This ability to adapt to new scripts and perform under time constraints gives actors a competitive edge    .

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