Feasibility of individualised synthetic speech for children with complex communication needs (CCN) in three South African languages

An individual’s voice is unique due to a combination of their physical and social characteristics. For children who present with complex communication needs (CCN), sometimes the only functional way to communicate is by using an augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) device. AAC devices with speech output capability are known as voice output communication aids (VOCAs). The use of VOCAs have been shown to increase quality of life for individuals with speech impairments. However, many users lack a personal connection with the voice on their device. In addition, the languages offered are not reflective of South Africa’s (SA) rich variety of official languages. The aim of this study is to develop a comprehensive and feasible method for producing the most intelligible and natural-sounding individualised synthetic voices for SA children with CCN who speak South African English, Afrikaans and isiXhosa, by using existing open-source speech synthesis software. The Mitacs Globalink internships falls part of a larger PhD study. There are four research objectives in the PhD. However, the internship will concentrate on the third objective: Describe the effects and modifications of an open-source speech synthesis system, when developing tailor-made, age-appropriate synthetic voices for children in three languages.

Faculty Supervisor:

Benjamin V Tucker

Student:

Partner:

University of Cape Town

Discipline:

Computer science

Sector:

Advanced Computing; Global Health; Health and Related Sciences & Technology

University:

University of Alberta

Program: