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Phonetic pillow


Phonetic pillows are pillows made in the various shapes of the symbols of the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). They are used in the teaching of phonetics and speech, primarily in theatre departments in higher education. Dozens of theatre programs have used Phonetic Pillows, including Boston University, North Carolina School of the Arts, Cincinnati Conservatory University of Washington Seattle, Yale School of Drama, Columbia University, University of Pretoria, South Africa, and The Central School of Speech and Drama, London, UK. Phonetic pillows were invented and introduced by Louis Colaianni.

In her book Freeing the Natural Voice, renowned voice coach and teacher Kristin Linklater comments on phonetic pillows as introduced in the book The Joy of Phonetics and Accents saying, ”Colaianni has developed ways of extending freedom and sensuality from voice into speech so that one need no longer divide voicing from speaking.”

Phonetic pillows are recognized as a tool for Student-centered learning. In the book Student-Centered Learning Online and On Ground, Sarah D'Angelo states, "Colaianni's method in particular revolutionized teaching and learning of the IPA with his pedagogical infusion of a post modern art form: soft sculpture. The use of large, soft, colorful, three-dimensional IPA shapes, or "pillows" as he calls them, represent each of the phonetic symbols used in spoken American English."

Phonetic Pillows won the Sydney, Australia ArtsHub People's Choice Award, for "Innovation in the arts by an individual or group." The ArtsHub award describes Phonetic Pillows as "An innovative and interactive learning resource that assists students to physically explore speech sounds."


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