1--- from [log in to unmask]
You can check out WinPitch (www.winpitch.com). It is a very versatile
visualization tool for the acquisition of prosodic patterns. Utterances by a
native speaker can be uploaded and presented as models that the student may
then try to imitate. There is no automatic evaluation of the student
utterances but there are many possibilities for teacher feedback. It can be
used to point out errors at the phonetic segment level as well.
Monique Adriaen
French Studies
York University
Toronto Canada
Quoting LLTI-Editor <[log in to unmask]>:
> --- Forwarded Message from "Thomas Hammond" <[log in to unmask]> ---
>
> >From: "Thomas Hammond" <[log in to unmask]>
> >To: "Language Learning and Technology International Information Forum"
> <[log in to unmask]>
> >Subject: Automated pronunciation checking
> >Date: Thu, 16 Mar 2006 07:47:01 -0500
>
> Has anyone had recent experience with software that uses acoustical modelling
> to
> compare
> learners' pronunciation and intonation with that of a native speaker? I have
> seen this
> sort of thing demonstrated in the past and found it both inaccurate (not even
> able to
> distinguish NS input from NNS input) and puzzling in terms of the feedback
> generated --
> generally some kind of acoustical representation that looks like thermal
> satellite
> imagery.
>
> Recently, however, a faculty member urged me to take a fresh look at this,
> saying that
> there have been enormous technological advances even in the past year. But
> all I
> can find
> are a couple recent academic papers saying the technology just isn't there
> yet,
> or
> commercial products making fantastic claims (and smelling slightly of snake
> oil).
>
> Anyone have recent experiences to share?
>
> -Thom
>
> ------------------------------------------
> Thomas Hammond, Director
> Language Resource Center
> Harvard University
> Cambridge, MA
2 ---- from [log in to unmask]
Hi Thomas,
If you are looking for English as a Foreign Language, you may want to
try this : http://www.eyespeak.info/demo.php. They can also do an online
demo for you with screen sharing. If interested please contact John
Morris @ [log in to unmask]
Regards
****************************
Edith Paillat
Language Technology Specialist
Language Learning Centre
Victoria University of Wellington
P.O.Box 600, Wellington
New Zealand
+64 4 463 5792
http://www.vuw.ac.nz/llc/about/projects.aspx
3 --- from [log in to unmask]
In my experience the only somewhat helpful digital pronunciation renderers
(i made that up) were those that show what we call in Russian
"intonatsionye konstruktsii" (intonation contours. These contours are
actually meaningful representations in that they coincide fairly regularly
across speakers. That is, my yes/no question intonational contour will
look pretty much like another native or fluent speaker's contour.
Don't be fooled by regular wave forms. 3rd party software sometimes
includes them, expecting students to try and "match" their pronunciation
to the squiggly line they provide. I can "match" a wave form with an
entirely different word with similar phonetic features.
Joseph
4 --- from [log in to unmask]
A pedagogical response to a technological question:
Whether the technology has improved or not (and indeed, I have
encountered difficulties getting a good score in my native
language...), is it really a good idea to bring in eyes in what is
essentially an ear to mouth relationship? I don't think so. As
students focus on the picture on their screens, it takes
concentration away from listening and speaking.
A pet-peeve of mine i'll admit, but based on many years (make that
decades) of teaching Practical Phonetics and Listening Comprehension,
and trying to wean students off visual crutches when oral
communication is the goal.
Francoise Sorgen-Goldschmidt
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