An audiovisual feedback system for pronunciation tutoring - Mandarin Chinese learners of German

Abstract

Computer-assisted pronunciation tutoring (CAPT) methods have been established during the last decade. Recent systems usually include a distinct user feedback and an automatic pronunciation assessment system. This study is based on the audiovisual CAPT system, in which an extensive feedback mechanism and several speech databases for Slavonic learners of German were developed. We intend to adapt the existing system for Chinese learners of German and report on the first usage experiences. We have thus analyzed the deviations of German utterances produced by Chinese learners in comparison to those of German natives, especially in term of prosodic and phonetic issues. We also designed supplementary database and organized perceptual evaluation tests by German native listeners with respect to individual phones as well as to general rhythm and intonation. In this way the language transfer of tonal Chinese can be demonstrated, which is vital to the system adaption for Chinese learners. © 2012 Springer-Verlag.