Dr. Brown's research centers on the study of phonology (sounds and sound systems) from a usage-based perspective. An understanding of actual use and usage patterns is fundamental in her work. She employs large corpora of spoken Spanish which she analyzes using methods derived principally from Variation Theory. Her work establishes significant correlations between variation and use; specifically between phonological reduction and variables such as word frequency and discourse context frequencies. This line of research has implications for theories that attempt to explain the mechanisms behind language variation and change, as well as for theories of lexical representation that attempt to account for such patterns of variability.
keywords
Usage-based Phonology, Language Variation and Change, Spanish in the United States, The Spanish of New Mexico and Southern Colorado
SPAN 2110 - Second-Year Spanish 1
Primary Instructor
-
Summer 2020
Grammar review. Emphasizes reading, writing, and speaking skills. Department enforced prerequisite: SPAN 1020 (min. grade C-). Degree credit not granted for this course and SPAN 2150.
SPAN 3050 - Spanish Phonology and Phonetics
Primary Instructor
-
Spring 2018 / Fall 2018 / Spring 2019 / Fall 2019 / Fall 2020 / Fall 2023 / Fall 2024
Designed to teach some of the methods, techniques, and tools of descriptive linguistics as they apply to articulatory phonetics. Students analyze important contrasts between sounds of Spanish and English bymeans of phonetic transcription.
SPAN 3120 - Advanced Spanish Grammar
Primary Instructor
-
Summer 2018 / Fall 2018 / Fall 2019
Develops a deeper understanding of grammatical features of Spanish. Advancement of Spanish language skills and development of metalinguistic awareness is achieved through examination of grammar usage in both texts and spontaneous speech productions within communities.
SPAN 3280 - Introduction to Catalan Literature & Film
Primary Instructor
-
Spring 2024
Introduces students to the rich and diverse literary and film traditions of Catalonia, an economically vibrant area of the Iberian Peninsula with 10 million people and a distinct culture and language. Taught in Spanish.
SPAN 4430 - Special Topics in Hispanic Linguistics
Primary Instructor
-
Fall 2020 / Spring 2022 / Spring 2023
Examines intensively particular topics or issues concerning Hispanic linguistics selected by the instructor. May be repeated up to 9 total credit hours on different topics.
SPAN 5430 - Seminar: Hispanic Linguistics
Primary Instructor
-
Spring 2018 / Spring 2019 / Spring 2020 / Spring 2021 / Spring 2024
Studies a major topic from an area such as phonology, syntax, history of the Spanish language, Hispanic linguistics and literature, or applied Hispanic linguistics. May be repeated up to 6 total credit hours. Same as SPAN 7430.
SPAN 7430 - Seminar: Hispanic Linguistics
Primary Instructor
-
Spring 2019 / Spring 2020 / Spring 2021 / Spring 2024
Studies a major topic from an area such as phonology, syntax, history of the Spanish language, Hispanic linguistics and literature, or applied Hispanic linguistics. May be repeated up to 6 total credit hours. Same as SPAN 5430.
SPAN 7440 - Seminar: Trends in Hispanic Linguistics
Primary Instructor
-
Fall 2022
Provides an overview of major trends and issues in Hispanic linguistics, including phonology, syntax, dialectology, sociolinguistics, discourse analysis, text linguistics, semiotics, history of the Spanish language, language acquisition and applied linguistics. May be repeated up to 6 total credit hours. Same as SPAN 5440.