People are now regularly interacting with voice assistants (VAs), which are conversational agents that allow users to use spoken language to interface with a machine to complete tasks. The huge adoption and daily use of VAs by millions of people - and its increasing use for financial, healthcare, and educational applications - raises important questions about the linguistic and social factors that affect spoken language interactions with machines.
We are exploring issues of linguistic and social biases that impact speech communication in human-computer interaction - particularly during cross-language transfer, learning, or adaptation of some kind. In this talk, I will present two case studies illustrating some of our most recent work in this area. The first study looks at a case of cross-language ASR transfer. We find systematic linguistic and phonetic disparities in language transfer by machines trained on a source language to speech recognition of a novel target, low-resource language. The second study looks at a case of social bias in word learning by humans using voice-enabled apps. We find the word learning is inhibited when there are mismatching social cues presented by the voice and the linguistic information.
Together, along with highlights from other ongoing work in my lab, the aim of this talk is to underscore that human-computer linguistic communication is a rich testing ground for investigating issues in speech and language variation. Examining linguistic variation during HCI can enrich and elaborate linguistic theory, as well as present opportunities for linguists to provide insights for improving both the function and fairness of these technologies.
Event date: 25/03/2025
Speaker: Professor. Georgia ZELLOU (University of California, Davis)
Hosted by: Faculty of Humanities
Search Constraints
Number of results to display per page
Results for:
« Previous |
1 - 10 of 47
|
Next »
Search Results
-
Video
- Subjects:
- Communication and Language and Languages
- Keywords:
- Linguistics Human-computer interaction English language -- Spoken English Speech processing systems English language -- Variation
- Resource Type:
- Video
-
MOOC
The course aims to enable students to master the sounds of Cantonese and conduct basic conservations in Cantonese. It is suitable for learners of the following 3 categories:
(1) People from Hong Kong who may be expatriates, international students, ethnic minorities;
(2) People from the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) who may be expatriates;
(3) People from all over the world who may be heritage speakers of Cantonese, plan to study/work in Hong Kong/ the GBA, tourists… etc.
In fact, anyone who is interested in learning Cantonese are welcomed to join this course!
- Subjects:
- Chinese Language, Communication, and Foreign Language Learning
- Keywords:
- China -- Hong Kong Cantonese dialects
- Resource Type:
- MOOC
-
Others
粵語，又稱「廣東話」，是香港最常用的語言。來自世界各地的學生可透過學習粵語，認識生活中常用的粵語詞句，應付日常溝通需要，從中更好地了解香港，融入香港。為此，我們開發了一個量身定制的在線粵語學習平台──翻轉粵語教室，按大學課程所學，制作相關的多媒體自習材料，讓學生可於上課前，利用網絡、智能手機等學習工具預習各單元的學習內容，然後回校再進行互動的粵語學習，提升學習成效。
- Subjects:
- Chinese Language, Communication, and Foreign Language Learning
- Keywords:
- China -- Hong Kong Cantonese dialects
- Resource Type:
- Others
-
MOOC
With rapid globalization and proliferation of social media, businesses and organizations are in face of enormous communication challenges. How to communicate effectively on social media, how to manage social media data analysis as well as handling fake news are definitely at the top of the list.
By seeing challenge as opportunity, this course aims to unfold the communication challenges induced by the rise of social media in business corporations and most importantly, offer solutions to overcome these challenges. In addition, the course serves presents a vantage point to forge an interface of synergy between academics and practitioners to discuss and address global communication challenges. Participants can benefit from meaningful synergy between academics and practitioners as well as learning materials and meaningful multilateral discussions surrounding authentic communication cases and industrial practices engaging both instructors and participants. In sum, this course provides insights for business leaders, senior managerial members, and communication professionals by discussing the major communication challenges encountered by businesses around the world which in turn, helps the participants to advance their career in the ever-changing communication environment.
- Subjects:
- Communication
- Keywords:
- Social media Information technology -- Management
- Resource Type:
- MOOC
-
Video
Have you ever come across times when you get particularly nervous, say during a presentation, you find it extra hard to speak smoothly? Most of us may stop at times when we talk, so how do we differentiate between Normal Dysfluency and Stuttering? Are kids struggling with words due to language ability or are they stuttering? Will they naturally outgrow stuttering? How do speech therapists help adults and children who stutter?
大家有否試過在某些時間特別緊張，例如在發佈會中，你覺得難以流暢地說話? 其實每一個人說話時也會有停頓的時候，到底我們如何分辨「口吃」和正常的不流暢呢？ 孩子到底是口吃還是因語言能力較弱而在找字呢？是否長大後自然會沒有口吃的問題？ 言語治療師可以如何幫助受口吃困擾的小孩和成人呢？
- Subjects:
- Communication and Health Sciences
- Keywords:
- Speech disorders Stuttering
- Resource Type:
- Video
-
Video
This short video, titled "Dysgraphia - Understanding Writing Difficulties," provides an accessible introduction to the challenges faced by students with dysgraphia. Aimed at parents and educators, it addresses common signs, such as persistent difficulty remembering how to write characters despite repeated practice, poor performance in dictation tests, inconsistent letter sizing, stroke confusion, and an inability to complete writing tasks. The video features expert commentary from Dr. Lau on the underlying causes of these struggles and explains the pivotal role speech therapists can play in assessment and intervention to help children improve their writing skills.
[讀寫障礙 - 書寫困難] 有沒有家長發現學童無論重複抄寫多少次，還是難以記住如何寫字，默書成績更是強差人意？有時候他們會寫字出格、混淆筆劃等，有時候他們可能寫了一半又寫不下去，到底為什麼會這樣的呢？言語治療師如何可以幫助他們呢？我們聽一聽讀寫專家 - 劉博士的解說。
- Subjects:
- Communication and Health Sciences
- Keywords:
- Writing Language disorders Agraphia
- Resource Type:
- Video
-
Video
This short video introduces the language facilitation technique of "Self-Talk" (自行描述), a core strategy used by parents and caregivers to support a child's language development during play. As a follow-up to a previous episode on "Parallel Talk," this resource demonstrates how parents can verbally describe their own actions and thoughts while engaging in play with their child. The video provides practical guidance for implementing this technique to naturally enrich the child's language environment and encourage learning through everyday interactions.
上一集，我們為大家介紹了「平行描述」的促進語言發展技巧，讓小孩一面玩耍，一面吸收家長的語言輸入。今集我們會介紹另一個技巧 - 「自行描述」，家長們可以一起試一試運用這些技巧，讓孩子邊玩邊學習！
- Subjects:
- Communication and Health Sciences
- Keywords:
- Children -- Language Games
- Resource Type:
- Video
-
Video
This short video introduces the language facilitation technique of "Parallel Talk" (平行描述), a foundational strategy for parents and caregivers to enrich a child's language environment during play. The resource explains how adults can act as a primary communication partner by verbally describing the child's actions, thoughts, and feelings in real-time. Viewers will find a clear explanation and a practical demonstration of how to effectively implement this technique, turning everyday play into a powerful opportunity for natural language acquisition and development..
我們經常聽說小孩可以一面玩耍一面學習，除了學習遊玩技巧外， 原來家長作爲小孩的主要溝通對象，是可以爲他們營造一個良好的語言學習環境, 從而促進語言發展。今集，我們會為大家講解和示範其中一種「促進語言發展技巧」 - 自行描述。大家一起看看到底如何能夠做到自行描述吧！
- Subjects:
- Communication and Health Sciences
- Keywords:
- Games Children -- Language
- Resource Type:
- Video
-
Video
This short video provides a comprehensive and accessible overview of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) for the general public. It addresses fundamental questions to enhance understanding and dispel common myths, covering topics such as the core characteristics of autism (0:45), frequently co-occurring conditions (1:21), and the impact of ASD on language development (3:06). The resource also offers valuable guidance on early signs for detection (4:10), clarifies the role of medication in treatment (5:20), and specifically addresses prevalent misconceptions surrounding high-functioning autism (2:24), all supported by expert commentary.
近期，我們經常會聽到有關自閉症的案例， 知道自閉症對於患者及家人都會帶來很大的影響和困擾，究竟什麼是自閉症？(0:45) 有什麼病癥會與自閉症會同時出現？(1:21) 自閉症對於語言有影響嗎？(3:06) 如何可以及早發現自閉症傾向？(4:10) 有沒有藥物可以治療自閉症？(5:20) 對於高功能自閉症，大家也有不同的迷思 (2:24)，一起聽聽專家的解說吧！
- Subjects:
- Communication and Health Sciences
- Keywords:
- Autism
- Resource Type:
- Video
-
Video
This short video, titled "Babbling to First Words," addresses common parental concerns about early language milestones in children. It outlines typical development, where infants begin babbling around six months and progress to meaningful single words by their first birthday. The resource directly tackles the question of what it means if a child is not meeting these milestones, featuring expert insights from Clinical Instructor in Speech Therapy, Miss Yeung Ho Yee. She provides a professional perspective on whether delayed babbling or a lack of first words indicates a broader language delay and explains what constitutes a true "first word."
[牙牙學語] 普遍來說，幼童6個月時，就會開始有牙牙學語的聲音，到了一歲，就會開始說有意思的單字或詞語。有家長會問：「如果我孩子到了一歲只會發出『咿咿呀呀』的聲音，甚至於還沒開口發聲，到底是什麼問題呢？是否代表他們完全還沒發展語言？其他幼童說的單字又是什麼呢？」我聽一聽言語治療臨床導師，楊浩怡姑娘的解說。
- Subjects:
- Communication and Health Sciences
- Keywords:
- Children -- Language
- Resource Type:
- Video