Assistant Professor
of Communication Sciences
and Cognitive Science
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My research interests have always focused on
simulation of speech. I have observed different aspects of the
speech processes (production from a mechanical perspective, perception
in terms of auditory neural processing, and acquisition in a multilingual
perspective) as I believe that an integrated approach can provide
the necessary data needed to decode the functioning mechanisms
of the complex speech function. I am also very interested in speech
technology applications, and I have previously worked on automatic
speech processing, specializing in multilingual recognition and
synthesis, and realizing foreign language learning tools, based
on recognition techniques.
In my present research I investigate motor control mechanisms
in speech production by analyzing articulatory trackings obtained
by an x-ray microbeam system. The aim of this experimental work
is the realization of an articulatory synthesizer, based on information
on timing relationships among articulatory movements within demisyllables,
considered as phonetic/phonological units. The articulatory synthesizer
can be used as a tool for drill practice to improve speech therapy
for individuals with motor speech disorders and as a tool in second
language instruction.
PUBLICATIONS |
