Gorenflo C W, Gorenflo D W, Santer S A
Department of Special Education, Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti 48197.
J Speech Hear Res. 1994 Feb;37(1):64-8. doi: 10.1044/jshr.3701.64.
This study investigated the effects of four different voice synthesizers on attitudes of nondisabled individuals toward an augmented communicator. Subjects (N = 284) viewed one of four videotapes depicting an adult VOCA (voice output communication aid) user having a conversation with a normal-speaking individual. The voice synthesizers used in the respective videotapes were ArticR65B male voice, Smoothtalker 3.0 male voice, RealVoice female, and DECtalk "Beautiful Betty." The Attitudes Toward Nonspeaking Persons Scale (ATNP) was used as the primary dependent variable. Results showed that attitudes toward the augmented communicator are more favorable in terms of evaluation and potential interaction when the synthetic voice is "easier to listen to." Gender-appropriate voice did not produce more favorable attitudes than gender-inappropriate voice. Implications of these findings for technological development of augmentative devices are discussed.
本研究调查了四种不同语音合成器对非残疾个体对辅助沟通者态度的影响。研究对象（N = 284）观看了四段录像带中的一段，录像带描绘了一名成年语音输出沟通辅助设备（VOCA）使用者与一名正常说话者交谈的情景。各录像带中使用的语音合成器分别为ArticR65B男性语音、Smoothtalker 3.0男性语音、RealVoice女性语音和DECtalk“美丽贝蒂”。对非言语者态度量表（ATNP）被用作主要因变量。结果表明，当合成语音“更容易听”时，对辅助沟通者的态度在评价和潜在互动方面更积极。与不符合性别特征的语音相比，符合性别特征的语音并没有产生更积极的态度。本文讨论了这些发现对辅助设备技术发展的启示。
