Computer-Synthesized Speech and Perceptions of the Social Influence of Disabled Users

Abstract

Computer-synthesized speech is frequently used as an assistive technology for people with speech disabilities including those with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). In this short article, the conditions that lead to speech loss and how people perceive computersynthesized speech, particularly when it is used by the speaking disabled, are discussed. Specific attention is paid to the author's own program of research that has examined how perceptions of trustworthiness are moderated by the use of synthetic speech, whether the user is speech disabled, and the purpose for which the synthetic speech is used. Based on this research, four specific conclusions are presented.

The Effects of Synthesized Voice Accents on User Perceptions of Robots

“…The results of these studies indicate that people find synthetic speech less trustworthy (in the scenario of a telephone campaign to fundraise) [38], less lively and more squeaky [30] than human speech. Gender has also been shown to influence user perceptions of the speaker.…”

Speech synthesis technologies for individuals with vocal disabilities: Voice banking and reconstruction

“…Therefore a personalized VOCA, where the synthetic voice includes characteristics of an individual user, could reduce the social distance imposed by this mode of communication by re-associating the output content with the user through vocal identity. In order to build a personalized VOCA, several attempts have been made to mainly capture the voice for later use before it is lost, using a process known as voice banking [5]. In the next chapter, we first introduce such voice banking approaches in the USA, U.K. and Japan.…”

Taking Stock After 30 Years

“…Jim Bradac coedited Issues 12-13 (#2) with Kathy Kellermann, and Giles returned to coedit with him thereafter, and until Bradac’s death in 2004. That same year, SAGE generously honored Bradac and his prodigiously diverse contributions by underwriting a named Annual Lecture every October at the University of California, Santa Barbara; versions of the Bradac Memorial Lectures have been published as invited contributions (Berger, 2007; Bowers, 2006; Harwood, 2010; Ryan, 2006; Stern, 2008; Tausczik & Pennebaker, 2010; Thompson, 2011). Giles continues to edit the journal and instituted biannual JLSP Top Paper awards that have been presented at the last two ICLASPs (Rubini & Menegatti, 2008; Wright & Bougie, 2007), and the third will have been awarded at ICLASP13, in Friesland, this year (Ng, Ye, & Lee, 2011).…”