• Proceedings of the KSPS conference
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• 2005.04a
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• pp.45-48
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• 2005

This study is about constructing L2 pronunciation correction system for L1 speakers using speech technology. Chinese pronunciation system consists of initials, finals and tones. Initials/finals are in segmental level and tones are in suprasegmental level. So different method could be used assessing Korean users' Chinese. The recognition rate of initials is 81.9% and that of finals is 68.7% in the standard acoustic model. Differ from native speech recognition, nonnative speech recognition could be promoted by additional modeling using L2 speakers' speech. As a first step for the those task we analysed nonnative speech and then set a strategy for modeling Korean speakers'.

• Proceedings of the KSPS conference
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• 2003.05a
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• pp.71-74
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• 2003

In this paper, we present some of experimental results developed in computer-based English Pronunciation Correction System for Korean speakers. The aim of the system is to detect incorrectly pronounced phonemes in spoken words and to give correction comment to users. Speech data were collected from 254 native speakers and 411 Koreans, then used for phoneme modeling and test. We built two types of acoustic phoneme models: native speaker model and Korean speaker model. We also built langugage models to reflect Koreans' commonly occurred mispronunications. The detection rate was over 90% in insertion/deletion/replacement of phonemes, but we got under 75% detection rate in diphthong split and accents.

• Proceedings of the Acoustical Society of Korea Conference
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• spring
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• pp.119-122
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• 2000

In this paper, we implement an elementary system to correct accent, pronunciation, and intonation in English spoken by non-native English speakers. In case of the accent evaluation, energy and pitch information are used to find stressed syllables, and then we extract the segment information of input patterns using a dynamic time warping method to discriminate and evaluate accent position. For the pronunciation evaluation. we utilize the segment information using the same algorithm as in accent evaluation and calculate the spectral distance measure for each phoneme between input and reference. For the intonation evaluation. we propose nine pattern of slope to estimate pitch contour, then we grade test sentences by accumulated error obtained by the distance measure and estimated slope. Our result shows that 98 percent of accent and 71 percent of pronunciation evaluation agree with perceptual measure. As the result of the intonation evaluation. system represent the similar order of grade for the four sentences having different intonation patterns compared with perceptual evaluation.

• Cross-Cultural Studies
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• v.27
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• pp.7-29
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• 2012

This study was aimed to analyze - focusing on the thesis of Younes - the pronunciation error occuring mostly for Arabian speakers to learn French pronunciation for Arabians and to suggest the effective study plan to improve such errors and provide the effective studying method. The first part is on how the Arabic and French pronunciation system are distinguished, especially by comparing and analyzing the system of graphemes and phonemes, with which we focused on the fact that Arabian is a language centralized on consonants, while French is a verb-centered language. In the second part, we mainly discussed the cause and the types of errors occurring when Arabic speakers study French pronunciation. As of the category of mistakes, we separated them into consonants and verbs. We assumed the possible method which can be used in learning, focusing on /b/, /v/, /p/, /b/ - in case of non-verbs and consonants - and /y/, /ø/, - in case of verbs - which don't exist in Arabic pronunciation system. One of the troubles the professors in Arabian culture have in teaching French to native learners is how to solve the problem on a phonetic basis regarding speaking and reading ability, which belong to verbal skill, among the critical factors of foreign language education, which are listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. In fact, the problems occuring in learning foreign language are had by not only Arabian learners but also general groups of people who learn the foreign language, the pronunciation system of which is distinctly distinguished from their mother tongue. The important fact professors should recognize regarding study of pronunciation is that they should encourage the learners to reach the acceptable level in proper communication rather than push them to have the same ability as the native speakers, Even though it cannot be said that the methods suggested in this study have absolute influence in reducing errors when learning French pronunciation system, I hope it can be at least a small help.

• Proceedings of the KSPS conference
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• 2007.05a
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• pp.167-169
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• 2007

This study analyzes Korean students' pronunciation errors in stop-nasal sequences in English. For the study, 23 English words of stop-nasal sequences were pronounced by 4 natives and 21 Korean students. The results showed two kinds of pronunciation errors: the insertion of a vowel and the nasal assimilation between stops and nasals. A teaching material was designed based on the errors. After a 60-minute class with the material they were asked to pronounce the same words in another session. There was a substantial improvement in the error correction.

• International Journal of Advanced Culture Technology
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.151-160
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• 2024

Through the utilization of a contrastive analysis of English consonantal phonemes and their Russian counterparts, the present study investigates the challenges faced by Russian EFL learners in pronouncing English consonantal phonemes, with a particular focus on phoneme substitution errors as a principal source of erroneous pronunciation. We comprehensively explore the characteristics of both the English and Russian consonant systems, highlighting the differences between them. Based on this examination, the study aims to present the detailed articulatory characteristics and phonetic variations of Russian speakers' common mispronunciations or improper substitutes of English consonants, rather than focusing on shared ones between the two languages. Furthermore, it seeks to provide strategies for error correction and effective pedagogical strategies to address specific phonemic challenges and enhance accuracy. Grounded in a comprehensive understanding of the objectives and advantages of comparative analysis within the context of phonemic awareness, the study emphasizes the significant importance of pronunciation instruction. It points out that this area still appears somewhat overlooked in specific EFL teaching situations within the context of English language education.

• Phonetics and Speech Sciences
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• v.2 no.4
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• pp.51-58
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• 2010

English vowels play an important role in the daily communication between Korean students and international visitors. However, many Korean students still have difficulty producing them distinctively. Vowels vary according to shapes of oral and pharyngeal cavities, which are mainly determined by the degree of jaw opening and tongue position. Yang (2008a) proposed a simplified chart of English and Korean vowels for an educational purpose. He also suggested to use wooden chopsticks to secure distinguishable jaw openings. The purpose of this study is to tap whether wooden chopsticks can be applicable to a method for correcting English vowel pronunciation. Twelve male and female students participated in the recordings of eight /hVd/ words followed by additional recordings with wooden chopsticks between upper and lower teeth. The first and second formant trajectories of both natural and controlled vowel productions were obtained and compared at six equidistant measurement points using Praat. Results showed that the formant values of natural vowel productions were comparable to those of controlled productions. Vowels with similar formant trajectories of male students were separated with the aid of chopsticks. The width of each chopstick could be controlled similarly in the experiment. The author concludes that wooden chopsticks can be useful to correct vowel pronunciation. Further studies are desirable for native speakers to make perceptual evaluations of controlled vowel productions by nonnative speakers.

• Annual Conference on Human and Language Technology
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• 1994.11a
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• pp.132-139
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• 1994

Cognitive Spelling Therapist generates the candidates for correction of one-letter misspelling words, which correspond to over 80 % of the misspelling words. One-letter misspelling can be divided into four categories, and for each categories Cognitive Spelling Therapist copes them with seperate cognitive therapies. Each therapy is based on cognitive causes of misspelling: figural confusion, pronunciation confusion, and keyboard confusion. Cognitive Spelling Therapist generates three candidates for correction in average. After we tested the correctness of candidates with 185 misspelled words randomly sampled from two typist for two months, Cognitive Spell Therapist showed 97.5 % correction for substitution errors, while insertion, deletion, and transposition errors were perfectly corrected.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.8 no.11
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• pp.1-6
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• 2017

This paper focuses on the development of a system that improves the convenience of foreign language learning and enhaces the learning ability of the target language through the use of IT devices. In addition to the basic grammar, the importance of pronunciation and intonation have somewhat crucial effect in everyday communication. Pronunciation and intonation of English are different according to the basic characteristics of a native language and these differences often cause problems in communication. The proposed system distinguishes acceptability in English communication process and requests the correction in realtime. The proposed system minimizes system intervention by collecting various voice signals of foreign language learners and setting that can be considered as acceptable threshold points. As a result, the learner can increase the learning efficiency with minimal interruption of the utterance caused by unnecessary system intervention.

• English Language & Literature Teaching
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.1-24
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• 2006

This study investigated differences in beliefs about English learning of 286 EFL college students and 52 English teachers in Korea. Data was collected using Horwitz's Beliefs About Language Learning Inventory and compared between students and teachers in beliefs. To address the research questions, the data were analyzed through descriptive statistics including frequencies, factor analysis, MANOVA, ANOVA, t-test, and reliability coefficients. The results showed four factors in student beliefs: Difficulty of learning English, nature of learning English, importance of correctness in learning English, and motivation and perceived importance of learning English. Clear differences were found in students and teachers' beliefs in English learning aptitude and importance of translation, error correction, and grammar rules. A few belief differences were also identified between Koreans and native-speaking English teachers related to the importance of vocabulary learning, pronunciation, and cultural knowledge. The findings of the study indicated that background variables such as gender and major field of study have an effect on student beliefs about L2 learning. The present study also provided pedagogical considerations to reduce mismatch between students and teachers beliefs and to improve the L2 planning and instruction.