Voice input systems

Interviewer: Now, mobile phones and the Internet have changed the way we all communicate. However, we still need to use a keyboard and a mouse to communicate with computers. When will we be able to interact with PCs by voice?

Expert: Well, the technology already exists, but the habit of talking to a computer is only just beginning to take off.

Interviewer: What are the basic components of a speech recognition system?

Expert: Basically, you need voice recognition software, a sound card and a microphone. If you want to have good results, you should get a high quality headset microphone.

Interviewer: Right. What sort of things can you do with a speech recognition system?

Expert: The system converts voice into text, so you can dictate text directly onto your word processor or email programme. The technology is particularly useful for dictating notes, business memos, letters and email.

Interviewer: But is dictation accurate? I mean, does the system interpret all the words correctly?

Expert: Speech companies claim an accuracy rate of around 98 per cent. But the system is more accurate if you train the software by reading aloud sample text for a few minutes. This process teaches the programme to recognize words that are not in its built-in dictionary, for example proper names, abbreviations, unusual words, etc.

Interviewer: I see. And can you execute programmes and navigate around menus and windows?

Expert: Yes, you can control your PC by voice commands. This means you can launch programmes, open a file, save it in a particular format or print it. Some systems even let you search the Web by voice or chat using your voice instead of the keyboard.

Interviewer: That does sound exciting.

Sources of information:

1. S. R. Esteras. Infotech English for Computer Users, 4^th edition (Student’s book, Teacher’s book, Workbook + audio) – Cambridge University Press, 2009. – 168pp.

2. S. R. Esteras, E. M. Fabre. Professional English in use: ICT – Cambridge

University Press, 2007. – 117 pp.

Vocabulary:

1) to interact with – взаимодействовать, общаться

2) a speech/voice recognition programme - программа распознавания речи/голоса

3) a sound card – звуковая карта

4) a headset – наушники, гарнитура

5) a word processor – текстовый редактор

6) an accuracy rate – степень точности

7) built-in – встроенный

8) a proper name – имя собственное (грамматич.)

9) to execute programmes – выполнять программы

10) to navigate around menus – перемещаться по меню

11) voice commands – голосовые команды

12) to launch/run/ start a programme – запустить программу

Exercises:

I. Complete the collocations:

1. voice recognition a) texts

2. a word b) dictionary

3. an email c) commands

4. an accuracy d) software

5. sample e) names

6. a built-in f) rate

7. proper g) processor

8. voice h) programme

II. Complete the sentences with suitable words from the text:

1. The basic components of a speech _______________ system are: voice recognition ________________, a sound __________ and a microphone. If you want to have good results, you should get a high quality _____________ microphone.

2. The voice _______________ system _____________ voice into text, so you can dictate text directly onto your ____________ processor or email programme.

3. Speech companies ________________ an accuracy __________ of around 98 per cent. But the system is more accurate if you ___________ the software by reading aloud _____________ for a few minutes.

4. This process teaches the programme _______________ words that are not in its ________________ dictionary, for example ________names, abbreviations and unusual words.

5. You can execute programmes and _____________around menus and windows using voice commands.

6. This means you can ____________ programmes, open a file, save it in a particular ___________ or print it. Some systems even let you __________ the Web by voice or chat using your voice instead of the _____________

III. Explain the following concepts in English:

1. Voice input systems – ________________________________________

2. An accuracy rate of the speech recognition system – _________________

__________________________________________________________

3. Voice recognition software – ___________________________________

4. A built-in dictionary – ________________________________________

IV. Compare the best voice recognition programmes, using the knowledge of comparative and superlative degrees of adjectives and types of comparison constructions:

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