Voice
Christer Gobl, Ailbhe Ní Chasaide, Pauline Sloane, Nick Campbell
For many years, research on the voice has been a major research strand, encompassing technological development and the analysis of normal and disordered speech. Part of this work is concerned with the development of techniques for the acoustic analysis and modelling of the voice. Using these methods, we explore the role of voice quality (tone of voice) in spoken communication, encompassing linguistic (segmental and suprasegmental) as well as paralinguistic functions (how we communicate emotion, mood and attitude).
In tandem with our research on intonation, we are working towards a holistic model of voice prosody, encompassing linguistic and paralinguistic phenomena.
Important clinically oriented themes include the link between perceived stress and voice problems (and/or vocal tract discomfort) in student teachers and in pupils of different ages, and the co-morbidity of laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPRD) with dysphonia and/or vocal tract discomfort.
By applying technically innovative voice analysis methods to the analysis spontaneous dialogues, we further aim to develop innovative technology in speech recognition and synthesis, capable of sensing and producing the expressive dimension of spoken interactions.
There is considerable potential also for future collaborative research which would link the analytical/modelling work to the clinical assessment & screening of the voice.
College’s Strategic plan: Extensive collaboration with UCD and many foreign speech laboratories thus strengthens the TCD/UCD Innovation Alliance.