Exploiting natural neural control to minimize speech errors among language learners

学习一门新的语言很难，尤其是对成年人来说。虽然词汇、语法、写作、阅读和听力都是具有挑战性的，但学习用一种新的语言说话是最难的。当学习一种与自己的语言非常不同的语言时，这一点尤其正确。这个项目将避免学习用外语说话时固有的各种困难。我们将构建一个软件平台，能够自主引导语言学习者熟练掌握外语，无论是独立还是在人类导师的支持下。该项目将实施关于人类如何学习新语言的实验，沿着强大的算法，可以分析和操纵每个学习者用外语说话的尝试。该项目是Frank Rudzicz博士（多伦多大学计算机科学助理教授）和Simon Overduin博士（Syngli Inc.创始人）之间的合作。Rudzicz博士是计算机科学领域的领先研究者，对语音分析、识别、特征提取和操作的理解做出了重要贡献。Overduin博士自己的研究背景集中在行为的优化和神经基础，包括言语。他的初创公司Syngli应用了Overduin博士和同事的一些研究，以智能辅导系统的形式，能够跟踪和指导广泛领域的学习。

Learning a new language is hard, especially for adults. While vocabulary, grammar, writing, reading andlistening are all challenging, learning to speak in a new language is hardest of all. This is particularly true whenlearning a language very different than one's own.This project would circumvent various difficulties inherent in learning to speak in a foreign language. We willconstruct a software platform able to autonomously guide language learners towards proficiency in a foreigntongue, either independently or with the support of a human tutor. The project would implement discoveriesabout how humans learn new languages, along with powerful algorithms that can analyze and manipulate eachlearner's attempts to speak in a foreign language.The project is a collaboration between Dr. Frank Rudzicz (Assistant Professor, Computer Science, Universityof Toronto) and Dr. Simon Overduin (Founder, Syngli Inc.). Dr. Rudzicz is a leading research within computerscience, and has made important contributions to the understanding of speech analysis, recognition, featureextraction and manipulation. Dr. Overduin's own research background focused on the optimization and neuralunderpinnings of behaviour, including speech. His start-up Syngli applies some of the research by Dr. Overduinand colleagues, in the form of an intelligent tutoring system that is able to track and guide learning in a widevariety of domains.