Speech technologies applied to second language learning. A use case on Bulgarian

Yaneva, Alexandrina

Speech technologies applied to second language learning. A use case on Bulgarian

Citation

Yaneva, A. Speech technologies applied to second language learning. A use case on Bulgarian. 2021. handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10230/48854

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Abstract

The Bulgarian language has specific phonetics as every other language. Some specifications make learning the pronunciation of Bulgarian more challenging for second language learners. Together with all technological advances, speech technologies have progressed notably in recent years. Systems such as Text-to-Speech and AutomaticSpeech-Recognition belong to the subfields of speech technology - speech synthesis and speech recognition. They have various applications in language learning, and many studies have proven the positive benefits of their implementation. The Bulgarian language is not as rich in technological resources as other languages. With the technology available, I conducted a couple of experiments with native and non-native speakers of the language, which aimed to test how it can be used as a tool for the improvement of pronunciation of second language learners of Bulgarian. Then I designed a simple demo, which demonstrates an example of how they could be implemented.