* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
LINGUIST List logo Eastern Michigan University Wayne State University *
* People & Organizations * Jobs * Calls & Conferences * Publications * Language Resources * Text & Computer Tools * Teaching & Learning * Mailing Lists * Search *
* *
LINGUIST List 17.401

Mon Feb 06 2006

Qs: Simple and Affordable Voice Analyzer?

Editor for this issue: James Rider <riderlinguistlist.org>

We'd like to remind readers that the responses to queries are usually best posted to the individual asking the question. That individual is then strongly encouraged to post a summary to the list. This policy was instituted to help control the huge volume of mail on LINGUIST; so we would appreciate your cooperating with it whenever it seems appropriate. In addition to posting a summary, we'd like to remind people that it is usually a good idea to personally thank those individuals who have taken the trouble to respond to the query. To post to LINGUIST, use our convenient web form at http://linguistlist.org/LL/posttolinguist.html.
Directory
        1.    Joe Yatae, Simple and Affordable Voice Analyzer?
Message 1: Simple and Affordable Voice Analyzer?
Date: 06-Feb-2006
From: Joe Yatae <ubkirihotmail.com>
Subject: Simple and Affordable Voice Analyzer?


Hello,

I'm an English language instructor looking to develop a web-based
application that helps learners to efficiently master vocabulary & phrase
lists.

This system will incorporate speech recognition/TTS engines, but I'm having
trouble finding affordable vendors who can create the ''voice analyzer''
function.

Since I'm not an engineer by trade, I'm feeling overwhelmed with my search
for this function. Everything out there seems to be too sophisticated for
my students' needs and too expensive for me.

The voice analyzer function should be able to compare (the user's voice
with the SR engine's), analyze and rate/score the following:

* basic phonemes
* intonation
* voice strength (audibility?)

In effect, it would be slightly more effective (and reliable) than the scoring
system in a karaoke machine.

As far as the type of visual display I'd like for the learners, I've seen some
really fancy ones, though they may be too much for the needs of my learners.

My goal is primarily to activate the students vocal cords (a big goal in
Japan!) and to make them realize that they can in fact speak.

My secondary, lesser goal is just to give them an awareness of where their
pronunciation/articulation stands compared with their peers. I will leave the
teaching of pronunciation to another class.

Thus, the visual display could be a simple wave comparison (b/wn learner &
model SR voice) or even some kind of Windows Media Player
Visualization-like effect. I don't know - What do you suppose would be most
practical for my learners?

What I've been finding so far (it's early 2006) are products aimed mostly
for speech therapy or corporate telephony. All of them entail per user- or
yearly- licensing. I'm working independently and can't afford their high
costs. Perhaps I'm willing to pay no more than US$1000 for such a voice
analyzer program?

Please tell me that what I'm looking for is out there!

Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance!

Joe Yatae
ubkirihotmail.com

Linguistic Field(s): Applied Linguistics
Language Acquisition

Respond to list|Read more issues|LINGUIST home page|Top of issue



Please report any bad links or misclassified data

LINGUIST Homepage | Read LINGUIST | Contact us

NSF Logo

While the LINGUIST List makes every effort to ensure the linguistic relevance of sites listed
on its pages, it cannot vouch for their contents.