Systems and methods for assessment of non-native speech using vowel space characteristics
First Claim
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1. A computer-implemented method of assessing non-native speech proficiency, comprising:
- processing, using a processing system, a non-native speech sample to identify vowel sounds in the non-native speech sample and vowel sound boundaries corresponding to the vowel sounds in the non-native speech sample;
analyzing, using the processing system, the vowel sounds within the vowel sound boundaries to extract vowel characteristics;
processing, using the processing system, the vowel sounds and the vowel characteristics to identify a plurality of vowel space metrics for the non-native speech sample, wherein the vowel space metrics indicate an extent of proficient utilization of AA, IY, and OW vowel sounds in the non-native speech sample; and
generating using the processing system, a non-native speech proficiency score based upon the plurality of vowel space metrics for the non-native speech sample, wherein the non-native speech proficiency score provides a measure of a pronunciation proficiency of the non-native speech sample based upon the plurality of vowel space metrics, wherein the non-native speech proficiency score is generated by processing the plurality of vowel space metrics with a statistical computer model, the statistical computer model comprising multiple weighted features determined by training the statistical computer model relative to a plurality of training items, the training utilizing calculated vowel space metrics of the training items and human-scored non-native speech proficiency scores of the training items to determine values for the weighted features.
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Abstract
Computer-implemented systems and methods are provided for assessing non-native speech proficiency. A non-native speech sample is processed to identify a plurality of vowel sound boundaries in the non-native speech sample. Portions of the non-native speech sample are analyzed within the vowel sound boundaries to extract vowel characteristics. The vowel characteristics are used to identify a plurality of vowel space metrics for the non-native speech sample, and the vowel space metrics are used to determine a non-native speech proficiency score for the non-native speech sample.
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Citations
44 Claims
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1. A computer-implemented method of assessing non-native speech proficiency, comprising:
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processing, using a processing system, a non-native speech sample to identify vowel sounds in the non-native speech sample and vowel sound boundaries corresponding to the vowel sounds in the non-native speech sample; analyzing, using the processing system, the vowel sounds within the vowel sound boundaries to extract vowel characteristics; processing, using the processing system, the vowel sounds and the vowel characteristics to identify a plurality of vowel space metrics for the non-native speech sample, wherein the vowel space metrics indicate an extent of proficient utilization of AA, IY, and OW vowel sounds in the non-native speech sample; and generating using the processing system, a non-native speech proficiency score based upon the plurality of vowel space metrics for the non-native speech sample, wherein the non-native speech proficiency score provides a measure of a pronunciation proficiency of the non-native speech sample based upon the plurality of vowel space metrics, wherein the non-native speech proficiency score is generated by processing the plurality of vowel space metrics with a statistical computer model, the statistical computer model comprising multiple weighted features determined by training the statistical computer model relative to a plurality of training items, the training utilizing calculated vowel space metrics of the training items and human-scored non-native speech proficiency scores of the training items to determine values for the weighted features. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 32)
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20. A computer-implemented system for assessing non-native speech proficiency, comprising:
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one or more data processors; and one or more memories, wherein the one or more data processors are configured to execute steps comprising; processing a non-native speech sample to identify vowel sounds in the non-native speech sample and vowel sound boundaries corresponding to the vowel sounds in the non-native speech sample; analyzing the vowel sounds within the vowel sound boundaries to extract vowel characteristics; processing the vowel sounds and the vowel characteristics to identify a plurality of vowel space metrics for the non-native speech sample, wherein the vowel space metrics indicate an extent of proficient utilization of AA, IY, and OW vowel sounds in the non-native speech sample; and generating a non-native speech proficiency score based upon the plurality of vowel space metrics for the non-native speech sample, wherein the non-native speech proficiency score provides a measure of a pronunciation proficiency of the non-native speech sample based upon the plurality of vowel space metrics, wherein the non-native speech proficiency score is generated by processing the plurality of vowel space metrics with a statistical computer model, the statistical computer model comprising multiple weighted features determined by training the statistical computer model relative to a plurality of training items, the training utilizing calculated vowel space metrics of the training items and human-scored non-native speech proficiency scores of the training items to determine values for the weighted features. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 33, 34, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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21. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions for which when executed cause a processing system to execute steps comprising:
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processing a non-native speech sample to identify vowel sounds in the non-native speech sample and vowel sound boundaries corresponding to the vowel sounds in the non-native speech sample; analyzing the vowel sounds within the vowel sound boundaries to extract vowel characteristics; processing the vowel sounds and the vowel characteristics to identify a plurality of vowel space metrics for the non-native speech sample, wherein the vowel space metrics indicate an extent of proficient utilization of AA, IY, and OW vowel sounds in the non-native speech sample; and generating a non-native speech proficiency score based upon the plurality of vowel space metrics for the non-native speech sample, wherein the non-native speech proficiency score provides a measure of a pronunciation proficiency of the non-native speech sample based upon the plurality of vowel space metrics, wherein the non-native speech proficiency score is generated by processing the plurality of vowel space metrics with a statistical computer model, the statistical computer model comprising multiple weighted features determined by training the statistical computer model relative to a plurality of training items, the training utilizing calculated vowel space metrics of the training items and human-scored non-native speech proficiency scores of the training items to determine values for the weighted features. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 35, 36, 41, 42, 43, 44)
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Specification