CSD 232 – Honors Paper

One Alphabet, Many Charts

Understanding the History and Variation of the IPA

Format: Short Research Paper

Purpose

The International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) is often taught as a single standardized chart, but in practice, IPA charts differ across textbooks, time periods, and clinical settings. In this project, you will explore where the IPA came from and why IPA charts are not all the same, with attention to how these differences matter for speech-language pathology.

This assignment is designed to help you see the IPA as a flexible tool used for different purposes, rather than a chart to memorize.

Learning Goals

By completing this project, you will be able to:

• Summarize the basic history of the IPA
• Compare IPA charts from different sources
• Explain why IPA charts vary
• Describe why these differences matter for clinical phonetics

Assignment Requirements

1. Brief History of the IPA (12 pages)

Provide a short overview of the IPA, including:

• Why the IPA was created
• The role of the International Phonetic Association
• How the IPA has changed over time
• How advances in phonetics influenced these changes

2. IPA Chart Comparison (23 pages)

Select two to three IPA charts from different sources (for example: an official chart, a textbook chart, or a historical chart).

Compare the charts by discussing:

• Differences in symbols included
• How the charts are organized
• Use of diacritics
• Differences in labels or terminology

You may include images or tables if helpful (properly cited).

3. Why IPA Charts Differ (23 pages)

Explain why IPA charts are not all the same. Consider factors such as:

• Different audiences (students, linguists, clinicians)
• Broad vs. narrow transcription needs
• Teaching simplifications
• Language-specific sounds
• Practical design choices

Your goal is to clearly explain that the IPA is a system that can be adapted, not one fixed chart.

4. Clinical Relevance (12 pages)

Briefly discuss how IPA chart differences affect speech-language pathology, including:

• Learning transcription as an SLP student
• Accuracy and consistency in clinical transcription
• The role of diacritics in describing disordered speech
• Choosing appropriate IPA resources in clinical settings

5. Sources

• Use 46 scholarly sources
• Include at least:
• One official IPA source
• One clinical phonetics textbook
• One peer-reviewed article
• Cite sources in APA format

6: Extension

Choose one:

• Create a simplified IPA chart designed for clinical use
• Show how two IPA charts would transcribe the same word differently
• Briefly compare which chart you found easiest to use and why

7. Reflection (121 page)

Conclude with a short reflection addressing:

• One key thing you learned about the IPA
• One challenge you faced during the project
• How this knowledge will help you in future SLP coursework or clinical work

Final Submission Guidelines

• Length: 810 pages (not including references)
• Format: APA (7th edition)
• Spacing: Double-spaced
• Font: 12-point standard font

How This Will Be Graded

Your project will be evaluated based on:

• Accuracy of IPA history
• Quality of chart comparison
• Clarity of explanation for chart differences
• Connection to clinical phonetics
• Use of sources
• Clear and organized writing