There is no shame in mispronouncing words: Even Benedict Cumberbatch needs help sometimes.
But whether you’ve been mangling “mischievous” or garbing “GIF,” Google’s new experimental pronunciation tool can help.
The function, built directly into Search, lets users practice how to say words.
Previously, queries like “How to pronounce quokka” offered only a brief audio clip.
Now, users can practice saying “quokka” into their handset’s microphone and receive feedback on what, if anything, can be adjusted.
The mobile feature is rolling out in American English first, with Spanish soon to follow.
You can also try it on desktop, where a friendly voice told me how to pronounce “quinoa” in American and British English. (It is disappointingly exactly the same.)
“Studies have shown that practicing how to say a word can be helpful for remembering it, especially when you’re learning a new language,” Tal Snir, senior product manager for Search, wrote in a blog announcement.
Using machine learning, Google can automatically recognize spoken words as individual soundbites, then cross-reference pronunciations.
If you’re practicing the word “asterisk,” for instance, the algorithm analyzes how you said the word and recognizes that the last soundbite was pronounced “rict,” instead of “uhsk.”
Based on this, it provides feedback that you’re stupid and need to learn how to properly speak English you can improve.
Auditory cues are great. But I’m a visual learner, and retain information best when looking at related images. Which is why Google also includes photos for additional context.
Not all words are easily described with a picture, so Google is starting with nouns and plans to expand into more parts of speech.
“Advances in speech recognition and machine learning can improve the way we learn about languages,” Snir said. “We hope these new features give you a creative, more effective way to practice, visualize, and remember new words.”
Keep an ear out for more languages, accents, and regions in the future.
More on Geek.com:
- Google Maps Audibly Translates Place Names, So You Don’t Have To
- Report: Google Collecting Personal Health Data on Millions
- Google Maps Adds Detailed Voice Guidance for Visually Impaired
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