How to learn proto speech patterns using a physiologically based vocal tract model

Authors: Bernd J. Kröger, Xi Chen, Cornelia Eckers, Stefan Heim

Abstract:

For modeling early phases of speech acquisition (babbling and imitation) we used a geometrical (non-muscle based) vocal tract model so far. But especially in order to differentiate higher level and lower level motor representations it is essential to incorporate a physiological vocal tract model controlled by muscle force activation patterns. In this paper we will discuss, why higher and lower level motor representations should be separated and why these different representations are important already during early phases of speech acquisition. First simulation results are reported. In these simulation experiments a physiological (muscle based) vocal tract model is used for learning proto speech patterns, i.e. for learning prelinguistic vocalic babbling patterns.