Contextualization
Orthoepy and prosody are aspects of language that address the issues of pronunciation and correct usage of accent marks in words. Orthoepy is a discipline that studies the proper pronunciation of words in a language, whereas prosody refers to the correct accent of words, in other words the stressed syllable, and variations in tone and rhythm in speech.
Accents, on the other hand, are one of the most important aspects of writing and pronunciation, capable of changing meaning when placed in different positions. In Portuguese we have three different accents: acute, circumflex and grave, which indicate a word's stressed syllable and contribute towards differentiating homographs.
These concepts are fundamental to the comprehension and correct usage of the Portuguese language. Orthoepy and prosody ensure the correct pronunciation of words, and accents ensure that they are written and comprehended correctly.
The importance of these concepts is clearly seen in many everyday situations. In a job interview, for instance, the correct pronunciation of words (orthoepy) and the correct accent of words (accents) make all the difference in how an interviewee's communication skills are perceived. Within the ambit of music, prosody is essential to the composition and interpretation of songs, since the rhythm, tone and emphasis in pronunciation alter the melody of any given song. In the context of school education orthoepy, prosody and accentuation are essential tools for learning that help develop reading, writing and speech abilities.
For a deeper understanding of these issues I suggest looking at these support resources:
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The Book “Fonética: Exercícios e Explicações” by Francisco Espada, a practical guide to the pronunciation of Portuguese, containing many exercises that help practice pronunciation.
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The website “Portuguese.com.br” containing several articles and exercises about accents, orthoepy and prosody.
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The videos from the “Foca na Gramática” YouTube channel, containing short, fun lessons about every grammatical aspect of the Portuguese language, including orthoepy, prosody, and accents.
Activity
Title: The Sounds of Words: Understanding Accentuation, Orthoepy and Prosody
Aim: This activity aims to improve the understanding and correct application of the concepts of accent, orthoepy, prosody. In addition, it aims to improve teamwork, time management, communication, critical thinking and proactive skills.
Project Description:
To complete this project students are to form groups of 3-5 students, who have one month to complete their task. This project consists of identifying, explaining and demonstrating the concepts of accentuation, orthoepy and prosody through a 15-20 minute podcast.
Necessary Materials:
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A computer with internet connection.
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An audio editing program (even a free one like Audacity).
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Microphone (a smartphone is enough).
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Research material: books, websites, videos etc.
Activity step-by-step
Phase 1: Research and Planning
Begin your project researching the concept of accents, orthoepy and prosody. Use recommended reading materials and other content found at your local or school library. Each member in the group should assume responsibility for researching a specific concept.
Phase 2: Writing a Script
Once the research phase has been completed, the team comes together to discuss and present their learning. Together they will write the script for the podcast, including an introduction to concepts, examples of words or phrases illustrating each, and a conclusion explaining their importance within the Portuguese language.
Phase3 Recording Once a script is complete the group can start to record their podcasts. It is advisable that each member speaks about the concept that they researched. You can elect one person as the “announcer” who will read the introduction and present who is talking. Remember, be careful to pronounce words correctly and pay close attention to intonation when reading the script.
Phase 4: Post Production.
Finally the podcast should undergo post-production, to eliminate any errors, remove background noise etc., and be finalized with a strong ending and call to action.
Phase 5: Final Report.
A final written report must also be completed and handed in, in the format of a word document or pdf. The report should contain:
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An introduction with contextualization of the theme and relevance in relation to the project.
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Development with a detailed explanation of the concepts of accentuation, orthoepy and prosody, methodology, results.
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A conclusion with main learnings and conclusions about your project.
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A bibliography of references used research.
The final products for the project are the podcast and report. At its conclusion students should have a clear understanding and be proficient in the usage of the concepts of accentuation, orthopy and prosody and gained new abilities in teamwork, project management and other socioemotional skills.
