Topic outline

  • Interactive sessions

    13.9. Cultural differences in the use of speech technology

    You will be randomly assigned into groups of approximately 3 people, each in its own room.

    (Duration 20-30 minutes) In your group, choose someone who keeps notes of your discussion so that you can summarize results for the whole group.
    • What services and devices with speech technology do you use? (make a list)
    • What services and devices with speech technology do your parents use? (make a list)
    • Have you noticed differences in the use of technology between your home region and here?
    • Has the availability of support for your language prevented you from using a speech service?
    • Have you had difficulty using some services because of your accent, local environment, network coverage etc.?
    • Can you draw conclusions to which extent cultural differences influence speech technology?

    Afterwards, we will meet all together and discuss your outcomes.

    23.9. Expression in speech

    We will study how emphasis and the fundamental frequency can be used to change the meaning of utterances. For example, the word "party" can be spoken such that it becomes a question, an exclamation, neutral statement or a disappointment (try it!). Party? Party! Party. Party...

    You will be randomly assigned into groups of approximately 3 people, each in its own room.

    (Duration 20-30 minutes) In your group, device examples of short sentences, where you can change the meaning by only changing speech characteristics such as emphasis, tone, fundamental frequency, whisper/shouting etc. Try to come up with examples of at least
    • Question vs. statement
    • Different emotions (Excited, sad etc.)
    • Ironical and joke vs. factual and serious
    If you like, you can also try
    • Different levels on the public vs intimate axis (talking publicly on stage vs. talking to your partner over a romantic dinner)
    • Near vs far (to other speakers)
    • Speed of speech - can that change meaning?
    • Volume of speech (shouting vs whispering) - can that change meaning?
    • Rough vs. smooth - can that change meaning?
    • High vs. low pitch - can that change meaning?
    • Other?
    Afterwards, each group can present a selection of their best sentences for the whole class.

    14.10. Quality evaluation

    How do we evaluate the quality of speech technology? What is "good" and what is "bad"? We'll make the discussion in two rounds in breakout rooms. First, we generate a list of attributes that can be used to describe quality. Then we return to the main room to collect results. Second, each team gets a practical scenario where they should make a plan how to evaluate quality. For example, one team could get the task of choosing a new speech coding algorithm for Zoom. The question is, how do you go about measuring each quality-attribute and what is their relative importance?

    21.10. Privacy in speech technology

    How do you feel about privacy with speech technology? Does the lack of privacy bother you? Do you find privacy-zealots annoying? What is the likelihood of privacy problems for you personally and what would be the consequences? How about on a societal level?
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