Pronunciation Power User Manual
Contents
1. instructor s waveform User Manual Page 9 of 18 Pronunciation Power v1 0 Speech Analysis Normalization This program uses a normalization feature which graphically amplifies a waveform to fill the height of the display in which it is shown In essence the normalization feature will simulate a level of volume which would fill the display screen As a result it is possible to compare two waveforms without trying to compare differences in volume However there are certain factors which will affect this feature 1 The normalization will only work if there is sufficient volume Otherwise the waveform will not fill the display To correct this either move closer to the microphone or raise the level of your voice 2 If the volume is too high then clipping will occur A clipped waveform will have very sharp edges and will look like the top and the bottom have been cut off To correct this either move farther away from the microphone or speak more softly 3 And finally use this program in a quiet environment If you are recording sound in a setting which has a fair amount of background noise for example an noisy air conditioner or people talking in the background it will have an effect on the waveform and the normalization of sound Not only will the program try to plot and normalize the sound you make but the program will also incorporate the sound which is in the background into the waveform v2. Pronunciation Power Version 1 0 User Manual Pronunciation Power v1 0 Table of Contents Introduction Tips l Overview 2 Introduction Screen 3 Main Menu 4 Lessons Side View 5 Lessons Side View Legend 6 Lessons Front View 7 Speech Analysis 8 Exercise Menu 11 Sample Words 12 Comparative Words 13 Listening Discrimination 14 Sentences 15 Sound Symbol Reference 16 Glossary 17 License Agreement 18 User Manual Pronunciation Power v1 0 Introduction Welcome to Pronunciation Power one of the most innovative and powerful language tools available Pronunciation Power 1s a user friendly interactive program which will allow you to gain maximum ability in speaking clear English The program will let you hear the sound and understand how the sound is made using the structure of the lips tongue and jaw It offers a variety of exercises that you can practice at your own pace Pronunciation Power has been designed to cover the most serious pronunciation problems of most language groups cover 52 sounds necessary to pronounce English words clearly provide a link between listening and speaking provide speech adjustment techniques improve speaking and listening skills While using this program keep in mind that the English language 1s complex English spelling 1s often unusual and pronunciation of words should not be confused with their spelling For example threw and throug
3. O If you are having difficulty with the pressing the play button on the control bar terminology in the description or are unsure or by clicking anywhere on the side view of the different parts of the mouth refer to display the Side View Legend by clicking on the Read the Description or have the special help button You may also refer to instructor read the Description to you by the Glossary in this Manual for a definition clicking on the speaker button Try to of terminology used understand the movement of the mouth O Play the Side View Animation once again You may choose to study 1t more carefully by using the control bar to play it frame by O frame O When you are finished proceed to the Front Side View Display View O f Speaker O Button Play Button 000 4 Side View Front View ssons Speech Analysis Exercises MainMenu o V O q Frame Slider esen A Play Pause Previous Frame Volume Next Frame User Manual Page 5 of 18 Pronunciation Power v1 0 Lessons Side View Legend This screen 1s labelled to show you the different parts of the mouth and air flow icons The Side View Legend also labels the different elements of the control bar which are used to control or play both the animation and the video It can be used as a quick reference or reminder while you are in the Side View Lessons screen Keep in mind that it is possible to play the Description for a sound while in the Side
4. hear why there is a difference It is recommended that you read the following two pages if you do not have previous experience using waveforms Learning to use and read a wave form takes practice Procedure waveform until it is aligned properly If you are unsure of how to drag using your mouse refer to your computer s user guide First listen to the instructor pronounce the sound by clicking the top play button Practice pronouncing the sound When you feel ready record yourself pronouncing the sound You will notice that once you have finished recording a waveform will appear in the display and a play button will appear Compare the waveforms Play the instructor s pronunciation and then play your pronunciation Compare the two sounds under the record button O If your waveform is not aligned directly under the instructor s move your mouse over top of your waveform you will notice that the cursor changes from an arrow to a hand am and then click and drag your Try the procedure again if you feel that you have made a mistake or could do better When you are finished proceed to Exercises tw Rec 7a Compare the shape and sound of your wave form to the instructor s Exercises Speech Analysis Tip To use keystrokes rather than the mouse you may 1 Tap the space bar once to start recording and once more to stop recording 2 Tap the number key to listen
5. to highlight the sound you are studying in each word Procedure Listen to the instructor pronounce a sample Listen to what you have recorded by word by clicking on a speaker button clicking the play button Next listen to the You may highlight or cancel the highlight instructor again Compare your voice to the of the sound you are studying in all the instructor s voice words by pressing the toggle button on or O Try recording again if you feel that you off have made a mistake or could do better Practice repeating a sample word When Otherwise proceed to the next sample word you feel ready record yourself saying the and repeat the procedure once again word Click the record button once to start Once you have finished all of the sample recording and once to stop recording words return to the Exercise Menu O Speaker eo Toggle Exercise Menu Tip While recording to use keystrokes rather than the mouse you may tap the space bar once to start recording and once again to stop recording User Manual Page 12 of 18 Pronunciation Power v1 0 Exercises Comparative Words The Comparative Word Exercises are intended to emphasize a sound in a word by comparing 1t to a similar sound in a similar word This exercise should not only improve your ability to recognize a particular sound but also improve your listening skills You will be able to hear words with similar sounds and practice saying those soun
6. to the instructor s voice 3 Tap the number 2 key to listen to your own recording User Manual Page 8 of 18 Pronunciation Power v1 0 Speech Analysis Waveforms A waveform 1s a graphic representation of a sound It consists of two fundamental parts amplitude and frequency The amplitude 1s a measure of the relative strength or loudness of a sound This means that the louder the sound the larger the height of the waveform The frequency refers to the number of cycles the distance between two peaks in a waveform measured over a period of time The frequency is often referred to as the pitch of a sound which suggests the highness or lowness of the sound Therefore the higher the pitch the higher the frequency Matching Waveforms Each person s voice is unique due to differences in intonation volume and pitch A waveform 1s therefore similar to a person s signature in the sense that no two waveforms will ever be the same With respect to this program this means that it will be impossible for you to have a completely identical match to the instructor s waveform The key 1s to make your waveform match as closely as possible Sound Length It is important to distinguish between a difference in sound and a difference in the length of a sound Itis possible to say a similar sound to that of the instructor only take a longer or shorter time to say it This is different from pronouncing a sound incorrectly silence
7. View Legend screen To return to the Side View Animation simply click on the Return button Air Flow AIR FLOW The flow of air is ee Tooth Ridge necessary in order to make o Palate Wale sounds Sounds are divided i A into vowels and consonants Fi based on the way the air K paate a flows out of the mouth For Ram vowels the air flows freely Eta a an fe and is shaped by the mouth as it passes through All vowels have full air flow Semi For consonants there are postrusted three possibilities with air flow semi obstructed released or a combination of the two Voiced y A Full Released Semi Obstructed The air flow 1s not Brief but complete There 1s a gt blocked 1t moves gt obstruction stopping SA continuous flow of freely of air The air 1s stopped air through a small then released in a burst space Examples Examples Examples Voice Box Control Bar ve If the red bar moves the sound is voiced Frame Slider If the red bar does not LA l move the sound is Play Pause Previous Frame unvoiced Volume Next Frame Ea User Manual Page 6 of 18 Pronunciation Power v1 0 Lessons Front View The Front View Video allows you to watch the mouth and lips of a female while she is voicing a sound The Suggestion on the right side will provide useful tips for making the sound or warn you of the mistakes most commonly made A female with a different voice from the instructor h
8. as been used for the video to provide the opportunity to hear a sound made with different volume and intonation Procedure Play the Front View Video either by O Play the Front View Video once again pressing the play button or by clicking You may choose to study 1t more carefully anywhere on the front view display by using the control bar to play it frame by Read the Suggestion or have the frame instructor read the Suggestion to you by O When you are finished proceed to Speech clicking on the speaker button Make a Analysis note of the suggestion Front View Display O Speaker Button Play Button Nent View Speech Analysis Control Bar O Frame Slider 4 Play Pause Previous Frame Volume Next Frame User Manual Page 7 of 18 Pronunciation Power v1 0 Speech Analysis Overview The Speech Analysis screen 1s intended to be a visual aid for the process of learning how to pronounce a sound correctly You are able to record your voice as you pronounce a sound and a waveform will be created to represent visually what your recording looks like Itis important however that you use both visual and auditory skills It is necessary to compare your voice to the voice of the instructor in addition to comparing your waveform to the waveform of the instructor If you have mispronounced a sound you should be able to see a difference between your waveform and that of the instructor s and then be able to
9. d differences You are able to record your own voice and compare the way you have pronounced the word set with the way the instructor has pronounced the word set As in the sample word exercises pay special attention to word endings and make sure you are pronouncing them clearly Procedure Listen to the instructor pronounce two O Listen to what you have recorded by similar words by clicking on a speaker clicking the play button Next listen to the button instructor again Compare your voice to the You may highlight or cancel the highlight instructor s voice of the sound you are studying in all the O Try recording again if you feel that you words by pressing the toggle button on or have made a mistake or could do better off Otherwise proceed to the next set of words Practice repeating the two words When and repeat the procedure once again you feel ready record yourself saying both O Once you have finished all of the words words Click the record button once to start return to the Exercise Menu recording and once to stop recording O Speaker Toggle O Rec b Play Click the Toggle button to hide highlights Exercise Menu Tip While recording to use keystrokes rather than O Play the mouse you may tap the space bar once to start recording and once again to stop recording User Manual Page 13 of 18 Pronunciation Power v1 0 Exercises Listening Discrimination To be able to speak English clear
10. g the arrow button and repeat the procedure once again Once you have finished all of the sentences return to the Main Menu and select a new sound O Exercise Menu Tip While recording to use keystrokes rather than the mouse you may tap the space bar once to start Next Page recording and once again to stop recording User Manual Page 15 of 18 v1 0 Pronunciation Power Q O Q Po Q Saja Q as O 2 gt Y T c 5 O Y Cluster Sounds O d j8ja8 8 3 8 8 8 8 8 8 s 8 8 s 8 8 sj8jeje s m m o o sonant Sounds i pleasure Vowel Sounds Page 16 of 18 User Manual Pronunciation Power v1 0 Glossary of Terms and Definitions Air Flow The flow of air out of the mouth See the Lessons Side View Legend page for different air flow descriptions Aspiration A small explosion of air when you make a sound Auditory To hear Clusters blended sounds Two or more single sounds put together to make a sound 1 e in nest you will need to know how to make the 57 and the DE sound together Curl A position of the tongue where the tongue is shaped in a curve not flat Flatten A position of the tongue where the tongue is flat not round Glide Slide Move the tongue as you say the sound Hard palate Hard part of the roof of the mouth Intonation The pitch patterns of a sentence which distinguishes kinds of sentences Lengthen so
11. h although spelled differently are pronounced the same As well identical letters or letter clusters in words do not always produce the same sound For example the ough in though and through represents a different sound in each word Learn to practice what you hear not necessarily what you see Imagine a sound in your mind before you say it Try to visualize the positioning of your mouth and face Think about how you are going make the sound Listen to and try to imitate the instructor In addition to listening for specific sounds pay attention to pauses the intonation of the instructor s voice and patterns of emphasis This can be just as important as the pronunciation of sounds The English language has many different dialects and words can be pronounced differently It is important however that words are pronounced and spoken clearly to ensure effective communication Finally Pronunciation Power is only a tool you must practice what you are learning Remember that you are teaching your mouth a new way to move BE PATIENT and practice a little bit every day GOOD LUCK HO User Manual Page l of 18 Pronunciation Power v1 0 Suggested Procedure 4 When you are comfortable with your ability to make the sound proceed through the 1 First identify the sound you would like to four different exercises from the Exercise practice from the Main Menu of sounds Menu and practice saying and hea
12. ing on its button you will notice that the button becomes highlighted and a small icon of the sound appears in the top right corner After selecting the sound you would like to practice choose an area of study from the menu bar at the bottom of the screen Start with Lessons then Speech Analysis followed by Exercises 6 The Quit button will allow you to exit the program Help Click to eet hear help ere for the Click to hear current the selected screen sound Lessons Speech Analysis Previous Page Pane If you are not at the first page an arrow button will appear here If you are at the last page this button will disappear Tip After entering Lessons Speech Analysis or any of the Exercises you can return to the Main Menu by pressing control M on the keyboard User Manual Page 4 of 18 Pronunciation Power v1 0 Lessons Side View The Side View Animation shows a cross sectional view of how a sound is made by the movement of the different parts of the mouth The Description on the right details the mechanics of how to use your mouth tongue lips and voice to make a specific sound A special help button allows you to view a legend which lists the various parts of the mouth and air flow symbols as well as a quick reference of the buttons shown on the control bar used to play the animation This control bar is the same on the Front View video Procedure O Play the Side View Animation either by
13. ly you must also be able to hear sounds and words clearly The Listening Discrimination Exercises are designed to improve your listening skills You will be able to test your ability to recognize a word in speech You will also be able to differentiate between two similar words or word sets based on what you have heard Procedure To activate a sentence you must first listen Y If you were correct in your assessment a to the instructor recite the sentence by clicking on a speaker button You will notice that two words become highlighted and a check mark appears on the speaker button when a sentence 1s active Listen carefully to the sentence and click on the highlighted word which you think you heard Listen to the sentence again by clicking on the speaker button 1f you are unsure green check mark will appear beside the sentence If you were incorrect a red cross will appear O After having listened to all the sentences on a screen you may reset the sentences by clicking the reset button or you may scroll through to the next screen and repeat the procedure Once you have finished all of the words return to the Exercise Menu O Highlighted Words O Speaker oa Sentences Active Non active Reset DD CP a m Exercise Menu N Next Page Page 14 of 18 Previous Page User Manual Pronunciation Power v1 0 Exercises Sentences The Sentence Exercises are intended to link the pr
14. olume too low no normalization occurs Tip Recording of sound will not work optimally if the volume level setting of the microphone is not sufficiently high User Manual Page 10 of 18 Pronunciation Power v1 0 Exercise Menu The Exercise Menu allows you to enter into any of the four exercises It is suggested that you first practice Sample Words then practice Comparative Words then proceed to the Listening Discrimination and finally practice Sentences Procedure Click on one of the four Exercise buttons to Choose a button from the menu bar at the practice either Sample Words Comparative bottom of the screen to return to any of the Words Listening Discrimination or previous screens Sentences Click on one of four exercises above Lessons Speech Analysis Main Menu A User Manual Page 11 of 18 Pronunciation Power v1 0 Exercises Sample Words The Sample Word Exercises provide a group of words which can be listened to read repeated and recorded The sound you have chosen and are studying 1s either at the beginning in the middle or at the end of each word in Sample Word Exercises You are able to record your own voice and compare the way you have pronounced the word with the way the instructor has pronounced the word Pay special attention to word endings and make sure you are pronouncing them clearly As the spelling of words in English often do not correlate to sounds you are able
15. onunciation of a sound with normal speech You will be able to hear how words are joined together to make speech flow naturally This exercise should not only improve your ability to recognize a particular sound but also improve your ability to speak naturally The sentences are short and simple at the outset but slowly increase 1n difficulty As with previous exercises you are able to record your own voice and compare the way you have recited a sentence with the way the instructor has narrated the sentence It is important to try to imitate the instructor s flow and intonation in addition to paying close attention to your own pronunciation Procedure Listen to the instructor say the sentence by clicking on the speaker button You may highlight or cancel the highlight of the sound you are studying in all the words by pressing the toggle button on or off E Practice repeating the sentence When you feel ready record yourself saying the sentence Click the record button once to start recording and once to stop recording Speaker Previous _ Page 5 SC Rec HPlay click the Toggle button to hide highlights O Listen to what you have recorded by clicking the play button Next listen to the instructor again Compare your voice to the instructor s voice O Try recording again if you feel that you have made a mistake or could do better Otherwise proceed to the next sentence usin
16. or otherwise transfer the software except that you may permanently transfer the software to another user if you transfer the documentation and all disks and the other user agrees to the terms and conditions of the Agreement LIMITED WARRANTY The software when licensed under a Single Copy Software License is covered by the following Limited Warranty e The supplier will replace defective media at no charge e Except as provided above PRONUNCIATION POWER INC makes no condition warranty or representation either express or implied with respect to this software or documentation including their quality performance merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose In no event will PRONUNCIATION POWER INC be liable for direct indirect special incidental or consequential damages arising out of the use of or inability to use the software or documentation In no case shall the liability of PRONUNCIATION POWER INC exceed the amount of the license fee The warranty and remedies set forth above are exclusive and in lieu of all others oral or written expressed or implied E ss User Manual Page 18 of 18
17. ring the and select 1t a E on it sound in words and sentences ary 13 Menu Ea i a Comparative Words RR practice words with similar sounds l ae E Listening Discrimination Sentences E SOMA improve pour listening comprehension practice ioutds used in semesces AUS A 2 Next proceed to the Lessons screen to learn how a sound is made through the aid of a Side View Animation and a Front View Video Description Suggestion Borgli haa Eaa y soundin frontofasia AS January er regular rt It you choose to write the musie manually it will take you langer than if you use the computer ECF co 3 Now you are ready to practice making the sound in Speech Analysis You will be able to visually and audibly compare your sound to the instructor s using the waveform technology 5 Return to the Main Menu identify a new sound and go through the previous steps again Cp Lie e dell All Hi er wane Pe fe Lhe le eee a tessecs Speech Anaysis teises User Manual Page 2 of 18 AA T ET 1 l 5 Pronunciation Power v1 0 Introduction Screen This screen 1s the opening screen to the Pronunciation Power program From here you can choose to link to the User Manual which gives installation instructions an overall summary of the program and instructions on how to use i
18. s Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and understanding between the parties and supersedes any prior agreement or understanding whether oral or written relating to the subject of this Agreement This Agreement may only be modified by a written agreement signed by PRONUNCIATION POWER INC SINGLE COPY SOFTWARE LICENSE This 1s a single copy software LICENSE granted by PRONUNCIATION POWER INC an Edmonton Alberta corporation with a mailing address at 888 Terrace Plaza 4445 Calgary Trail South Edmonton AB Canada T6H 5R7 The software is LICENSED to you the user not sold The software enclosed in this package 1s copyrighted material Once you have paid the required single copy license fee you may use the software for an unlimited time provided you do not violate the copyright and if you follow the following rules e You may use the software on any compatible computer so long as it is installed and used on only one computer at a time You must pay a license fee for each additional computer on which it is installed or used Write to PRONUNCIATION POWER INC for additional licenses e The original software must be kept in your possession or control and used only with the selected computer e You may not make any changes to the software and you may not decompile disassemble or otherwise reverse engineer the software You may not use it on a computer network unless it is used with only one computer e You may not loan rent sub license
19. t Also the Quick tour will take you through a quick slide show of the program and the various graphics and screens Once you are ready you can begin the program Procedure Choose one of the three menu buttons from The Quit button will bring you to the credit the bottom of the screen to either see screen Once there you can exit information about the User Manual see a Pronunciation Power by clicking the Quit Quick Tour or Start Pronunciation Power button again User Manual Quick Tour Tip Pressing control Q on the Tip Pressing control R on the keyboard does the same as keyboard rewinds Pronunciation clicking the Quit button Power to the introductory animation User Manual Page 3 of 18 Pronunciation Power v1 0 All 52 sounds necessary to speak English are listed in the Main Menu Each sound is represented by a sound symbol and an English word containing the sound English letters there are 26 in the alphabet do not necessarily correlate to English sounds therefore symbols have been used to indicate the sounds in the program As many IPA International Phonetic Alphabet symbols have been used as was practically possible For a complete list of all the sounds check the Quick Reference Sound Menu at the end of this Manual Procedure Listen to the instructor pronounce the 52 sounds by scrolling through the five pages and clicking on the different sound buttons Once you have selected a sound by click
20. und Make the duration of the sound longer Lips spread Lips are open slightly and pulled back Lower Bottom of mouth Pitch Amount of height or depth of a sound Pressed lips Top and bottom lips touching Protrude lips Rounded lips pushed outward Round lips Make a circle with lips Shorten sound Make the duration of the sound shorter Soft palate Soft part of the roof of the mouth Tap Touch quickly Tooth ridge The hard area directly behind the top front teeth Top or roof of mouth Area of tooth ridge hard palate and soft palate Unvoiced voiceless The vocal cords do not vibrate Examples ES DE RP RB Upper Top of mouth Visual To see Voiced The sound 1s made by vibrating the vocal cords voice box To test whether you are making the sound voiced put your fingers on your voice box With a voiced sound you should feel a vibration All vowels are voiced Examples Biyi MS 0S 0a User Manual Page 17 of 18 Pronunciation Power v1 0 License Agreement IMPORTANT Software License Y Product Warranty The software contained in this package is not for sale PRONUNCIATION POWER INC retains ownership The product you have licensed consists of intangible software The tangible components include programmed CD ROM Digital or magnetic media The software provided on CD ROM Digital or magnetic media are subject to the following license terms and conditions and limited warranty Thi
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