JPH0375866B2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

(Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to a pronunciation training device for practicing pronunciation of foreign languages and the like. (Conventional technology) Conventionally, in order to learn pronunciation in a foreign language, it is common to practice by listening to language broadcasts on the radio or television, or by listening to language tapes, or to have your pronunciation corrected by a professional teacher. . (Problem to be solved by the invention) However, in language broadcasting, etc., it is difficult for trainees to objectively judge whether or not their own pronunciation is correct. Since they do not have the ability to correctly explain subtle differences in pronunciation and corrective methods, most of them resort to having them imitate them over and over again, and they are also subject to significant time constraints as they must attend classes. There is this inconvenience. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a pronunciation training device that eliminates these conventional inconveniences. (Means for Solving the Problems) In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a plurality of sample pronunciation groups that require correction, a sample pronunciation that serves as a model, and a plurality of samples that require correction. A playback means having a recording medium recording at least corrective comment groups corresponding to the pronunciation groups and model comments corresponding to sample pronunciations serving as a model, an audio memory, and a control means, the control means comprising: After recording the pronunciations generated by the trainee and a group of sample pronunciations on the recording medium reproduced by the reproducing means in the voice memory, the pronunciations are continuously reproduced from the voice memory, and the trainee determines that the pronunciations are similar to his own pronunciations. The present invention is characterized in that a correction comment or a model comment corresponding to one of the sample pronunciations is selectively reproduced from the recording medium. (Operation) The control means records the pronunciation generated by the trainee, a plurality of sample pronunciations recorded on the recording medium that require correction, and the sample pronunciation that serves as a model in the voice memory. Next, the pronunciation generated by the trainee and a plurality of sample pronunciations recorded in the voice memory are played back, and the trainee judges which of the plurality of sample pronunciations his/her own pronunciation is closest to. When a sample pronunciation close to one's own pronunciation is found, the control means is activated to reproduce a corrective comment corresponding to the sample pronunciation from the recording medium. In this way, the trainee learns the corrective matters for his or her own pronunciation from the corrective comments, and based on this, the trainee performs pronunciation corrective training to get closer to the sample pronunciation that serves as a model. (Example) Examples of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a reproducing section, and the reproducing section 1 has a recording medium (not shown). The recording medium is
Select one of them as appropriate, such as a cassette tape, compact disk, or floppy disk. The playback section 1 is connected to an audio memory 5 together with a microphone 2 via a changeover switch 3 and an A-D converter 4, and the output side of the audio memory 5 is connected to a D-A converter 4.
It is connected to a headphone 9 via a converter 6, a changeover switch 7 and an amplifier 8. The changeover switch 7 selectively connects the DA converter 6 and the reproducing section 1 to the amplifier 8. The control means 10 consists of a keyboard 11 and a control section 12. By pressing the keys on the keyboard 11, the control section 12 controls the playback section 1, the changeover switch 3,
The audio memory 5 and changeover switch 7 are controlled as described below. The control unit 12 includes, for example, a CPU of a microcomputer, a memory, and the like. The A-D converter 4 converts analog audio signals such as sample pronunciations from the recording medium and the microphone 2 and pronunciations by the trainee into digital audio signals that can be easily recorded in the audio memory 5. If the audio memory 5 uses 2 bytes per audio sample, when the audio band is 6KHz and the sampling frequency is 12KHz, 2 x 12000 = 24000 bytes/
It has a capacity of 240,000 bytes because it is usually sufficient to store audio for about 10 seconds. When, for example, a cassette tape is used as the recording medium, the data is recorded in the format shown in FIG. 2, for example. In the figure, S, S1 to S3 are marking signals for automatically stopping the running of the tape, and this marking signal is made up of, for example, a unique code to distinguish the stop position. Taking the example of the recording as the word 〓pass'', practice and record the pronunciation of ``〓pass'' after the marking signal S. "It is characterized by a strong P sound. Close your lips and let your breath explode."
etc., messages such as pronunciation instructions and pronunciation precautions are recorded, and then, following the marking signal S, three sample pronunciations 〓pass'' are sequentially recorded.Nos. 1 to 3 before 〓pass'' is an announcement of the pronunciation example number, and each 〓pass'' is an announcement of the number of pronunciation examples, and each 〓pass'' is a characteristic pronunciation example and model that can be objectively compared with this when you pronounce 〓pass''. This is an example of pronunciation. For example, the number 1 〓pass” is 〓ss”
The second example, 〓pass'', is an example in which the plosive sound of 〓pa'' is pronounced weakly, both of which are samples of bad pronunciation by Japanese people. No. 3 〓pass〓 is a sample of the ideal pronunciation of a foreigner.Next, place the marking signals S <sub>1</sub> , S <sub>2</sub> , and S <sub>3</sub> in front of each other, and pronounce No. 1 〓pass〓 to No. 3 〓pass. Corrective comments (1), (2) and model comments corresponding to `` were recorded in sequence. This corrective comment (1) is a way to pronounce 〓ss'' weakly, for example, ``The S sound is too strong. Reduce the amount of air that comes out of your mouth. ”. Corrective comment (2) is a method of pronouncing the plosive sound of 〓pa”. For example, “The P sound is too weak. Close your lips tightly and take a deep breath into your mouth. Take it out and let it explode.”
It is. The model comment is a compliment such as "That's very good pronunciation" to let the user know that the pronunciation is correct. Here, I have shown two examples of characteristic pronunciation that require correction, but you can have as many as you want. In addition to English words, you can also record the pronunciation of sentences to practice intonation and accent. Table 1 shows two examples of sample pronunciations that require correction in intonation training, sample pronunciations that serve as models, and examples of corrective comments and model comments corresponding to each.

[Table] FIG. 3 shows an example of allocation of the usage area of the audio memory 5. If we use a voice memory 5 with a capacity that can record about 10 seconds of voice, 1/4 of it will be input from microphone 2 into the area where the trainee's pronunciation will be recorded, and 1/4 of the remaining 3/4 will be recorded. /4 is allocated to each area for recording the sample pronunciation explained in FIG. By increasing the capacity of the audio memory 5, each area can be set for a longer time, or the number of sample pronunciations can be increased. Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be explained. First step: Operate designated keys on the keyboard 11 to listen to the message on the cassette tape. Assuming that the cassette tape has stopped at the marking signal S before the message, the playback section 1 starts operating in response to a control signal from the control section 12 by operating a key, and the cassette tape starts running. The control section 12 connects the changeover switch 7 to the contact C side based on the output signal to be outputted from now on. The above-mentioned message on the cassette tape is thus reproduced from the headphone 9 via the changeover switch 7 and the amplifier 8. The cassette tape is
The vehicle stops traveling at the marking signal S after the message. Second step: The trainee practices "pass" according to the instructions in the message.Then, the trainee operates the designated key on the keyboard 11 to record his or her own pronunciation.By operating this key, the control unit 12 , connect the changeover switch 3 to the contact B side, and connect the microphone 2 to the voice memory 5 via the A-D converter 4. Thus, the pronunciation of the trainee is recorded in the voice memory 5. Third step :The trainee operates a designated key on the keyboard 11 in order to record the sample pronunciation of the cassette tape in the voice memory 5.By operating this key, the control section 12 starts the playback section 1 using the control signal. At the same time, switch 3 is closed to contact A.
Connect to the side. Thus, the cassette tape starts running, and switches 3 and A switch the sample sound.
- recorded in the audio memory 5 via the D converter 4; Fourth step: In order to listen to the trainee's pronunciation and sample pronunciation in the voice memory 5, the trainee operates designated keys on the keyboard 11. By operating this key, the control unit 12 connects the changeover switch 7 to the contact D side and operates the audio memory 5. In this way, the trainee's pronunciation and the sample pronunciation in the voice memory 5 are played back from the headphone 9 via the D-A converter 6, the changeover switch 7, and the amplifier 8, and by repeating this step, you can listen to and compare the pronunciations as many times as you like. I can do it. Fifth step: When the trainee finds a sample pronunciation similar to his or her own, enter that number on the keyboard 11.
Enter from. Based on the control signal, the control section 12 connects the changeover switch 7 to the contact C side, operates the reproducing section 1, and fast-forwards the cassette tape until the marking signal corresponding to the number is found. For example, if you enter number 2, fast forwarding will stop when marking signal S ₂ is detected, and then correction comment (2) will be displayed.
is played from headphone 9. keyboard 1
When inputting numbers 1 to 1, there is no need to fast forward, and the subsequent corrective comment (1) is played back. Since the pronunciation is good if number 3 is input, after the model comment (3) is played, the trainee stops at the marking signal S before the next word "spring". The first step is to move on to further training.
Return to step. The trainee attempts corrective training by himself according to the contents of corrective comments (1) and (2), and when the training is completed, moves on to the next step. Sixth step: In order to confirm the training results, the trainee records the pronunciation of "pass" again. To do this, he operates the keys on the keyboard 11. Through this operation, the control unit 12 switches the changeover switch 3 to contact B. When the trainee pronounces 〓pass'', this pronunciation is recorded in the voice memory 5 via the microphone 2, the selector switch 3, and the A-D converter. After this, the process returns to the fourth step, where the trainee's pronunciation and the sample pronunciation are compared again, and the numbers of similar sample pronunciations are determined. Then, the corrective comment corresponding to the number determined in the fifth step is played back.
Play the previous correction comment (2) and mark signal S ₃
The cassette tape stopped at , and this time 1
If the number is input, it is determined that the marking signal S ₁ has passed before S ₃ and the rewind is performed. When the marking signal S ₁ is detected, the rewind is stopped, and the correction comment (1) is sent from the headphone 9. will be played. After this, the fourth, fifth, and sixth steps are repeated to continue the corrective training until the model comment is selected, gradually approaching a good pronunciation state. Incidentally, in the above embodiment, a cassette tape was used as the recording medium, but if a compact disk or other medium that can be randomly accessed is used, the correction comments can be easily read out. (Effects of the Invention) As is clear from the above explanation, when the present invention is used, the sample pronunciation recorded in the voice memory that requires correction and the sample pronunciation that serves as a model are compared with the pronunciation of the trainee. This allows trainees to play back corrective comments for sample pronunciations that are similar to the student's pronunciation, so that trainees can relatively objectively understand points of their own pronunciation that should be corrected through hearing without the assistance of a teacher. Know the corrective methods and be able to perform corrective training efficiently. Also, since the auditory sense determines whether pronunciation is good or bad, one's ability to listen to pronunciation improves unconsciously. Furthermore, it is possible to reduce the size, weight, and cost.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a recording format when a cassette tape is used as a recording medium, and FIG. 3 is a diagram showing areas of the trainee's pronunciation and sample pronunciation to be recorded in the audio memory. 1...Playback section, 2...Microphone, 3...
Changeover switch, 5... Audio memory, 7... Changeover switch, 9... Headphone, 10... Control means, 11... Keyboard, 12... Control unit.

Claims (1)

[Claims] A plurality of sample pronunciation groups that require correction, a sample pronunciation that serves as a model, a group of corrective comments that respectively correspond to the plurality of sample pronunciation groups that require correction, and a model comment that corresponds to the sample pronunciation that serves as a model. a reproduction means having a recording medium on which at least one of the following is recorded, a voice memory, and a control means, the control means is configured to reproduce the pronunciation generated by the trainee and the sample pronunciation group of the recording medium reproduced by the reproduction means into the voice. After being recorded in a memory, the sound memory is continuously played back, and a corrective comment or a model comment corresponding to one of the sample pronunciations that the trainee judges to be similar to his or her own pronunciation is selectively extracted from the recording medium. A pronunciation training device characterized in that it reproduces.