Spoken Communication Research Articles

Intercultural competence development through a tele‐collaborative project supported by speech‐enabled corrective feedback technology

AbstractBackgroundTele‐collaborative projects serve as invaluable platforms for students from diverse countries to engage in cross‐cultural communication and exchange cultural knowledge. These projects offer immense benefits in terms of fostering intercultural competence among participants. However, one challenge arises when participants engage in spoken communication rather than written. Those who may not share a common first language often rely on a lingua franca such as English for intercultural communication. In such spoken exchanges, varying levels of language proficiency can lead to communication errors that hinder the intercultural learning process and impede the development of intercultural competence in their fellow participants.ObjectivesIn the present trial study, our primary objective was to tackle the language‐related challenge associated with spoken communication head‐on. Our focus centred on addressing the discrepancies arising in spoken communication, and we aimed to mitigate these discrepancies by utilizing speech‐enabled corrective feedback technology.MethodsIn a tele‐collaborative project involving 28 graduate students from the People's Republic of China and Republic of Kazakhstan, the participants engaged in spoken communication and cultural exchange in English via the internet. Given the emphasis on spoken communication and the recognition that English was not their first language, we implemented a speech‐enabled corrective feedback (SECF) technology to ensure effective communication in terms of pronunciation, grammar, and word choice. The SECF technology detected and provided instant feedback on any speech mistakes, enabling participants to make corrections accordingly. The main aim of our study was to explore the potential benefits of integrating SECF technology into a tele‐collaborative project for the development of participants' intercultural competence. Additionally, we sought to gather insights into the students' perceptions of the SECF support.Results and ConclusionsThe results of our study revealed significant improvements in the participants' intercultural competence across dimensions such as knowledge, skills, attitude, and awareness. Furthermore, the participants expressed positive perceptions of the SECF technology. Drawing from our findings, we offer valuable implications and recommendations for educators and researchers in the field, enhancing their understanding of the role of SECF technology in supporting intercultural competence development in tele‐collaborative settings.

Impact Analysis of Workforce Network Model on Engagement and Individual Performance of Employees in A Traditional, Remote, and Hybrid Workforce Network

This study focused on the impact of workforce network models (traditional, remote, and hybrid workforce networks) on the engagement and individual performance of employees of three (3) selected companies in the financial technology segment of the small business process outsourcing (BPO) industry in the Metro Manila, Philippines. Moreover, this study aims to determine the significant difference in employee engagement and individual performance among workforce network models. The sampling technique used in this study was Stratified Random Sampling to allow the three (3) companies to be proportionally represented. The researchers used stratified sampling with proportional allocation to determine the sample size per stratum to complete the one hundred (100) total sample size. The survey questionnaires were distributed through online forms to each of the respondents. This was answered three (3) times by the respondent. One for when they were in a traditional workforce network, one for when they were in a remote workforce network model, and one for when they were in a hybrid workforce network. The data collected was analyzed using Frequency Distribution, Mean, Standard Deviation, ANOVA with repeated measures, and Pairwise Comparison. The majority of the respondents were male, single, aged between 31 and 40 years old, and had worked for 5-8 years in their respective companies. This study found that employees in the hybrid workforce network have the highest level of engagement according to Kahn’s Engagement Theory in terms of (a) safety, (b) meaningfulness, and (c) availability, followed by remote than traditional workforce networks. Additionally, employees in the hybrid workforce network also have the highest level of individual performance according to Campbell’s Theory of Performance in terms of (a) job-related activities; (b) unrelated duties; (c)tasks requiring written and spoken communication; (d) evidence of effort; (e) personal discipline maintenance; (f) peer and team performance encouragement; (g) supervision and leadership and (h) management and administration of employees. Finally, this study found that there was a significant difference between the engagement and individual performance of employees in traditional, remote, and hybrid workforce network models. Keywords: human resource management, workforce network model, employee engagement, individual performance

Language acquisition in the theological classroom: A case study in comprehensible input

AbstractLanguages have played a significant role in the shaping of theological and religious leaders. Historically consisting mostly of biblical and ancient languages, contemporary theological education includes the study of modern foreign languages for research and ministerial purposes. If written and spoken communication in a variety of languages is a foundational aspect of the theological classroom, why is it, then, that seminaries and theological institutions give little attention to theories and pedagogies of second language acquisition? This article seeks to expose theological educators to the most significant theory in the study of language pedagogy and provides a case study of a course taught to students in a seminary setting. In addition to scholarly studies, it relies on the influence of autodidactic polyglots, an indispensable source of experience and wisdom in the world of language acquisition. By improving practices around language instruction, the future of theological education can better engage with a multi‐cultural and global society.

Does the speaker's eye gaze facilitate infants' word segmentation from continuous speech? An ERP study.

The environment in which infants learn language is multimodal and rich with social cues. Yet, the effects of such cues, such as eye contact, on early speech perception have not been closely examined. This study assessed the role of ostensive speech, signalled through the speaker's eye gaze direction, on infants' word segmentation abilities. A familiarisation-then-test paradigm was used while electroencephalography (EEG) was recorded. Ten-month-old Dutch-learning infants were familiarised with audio-visual stories in which a speaker recited four sentences with one repeated target word. The speaker addressed them either with direct or with averted gaze while speaking. In the test phase following each story, infants heard familiar and novel words presented via audio-only. Infants' familiarity with the words was assessed using event-related potentials (ERPs). As predicted, infants showed a negative-going ERP familiarity effect to the isolated familiarised words relative to the novel words over the left-frontal region of interest during the test phase. While the word familiarity effect did not differ as a function of the speaker's gaze over the left-frontal region of interest, there was also a (not predicted) positive-going early ERP familiarity effect over right fronto-central and central electrodes in the direct gaze condition only. This study provides electrophysiological evidence that infants can segment words from audio-visual speech, regardless of the ostensiveness of the speaker's communication. However, the speaker's gaze direction seems to influence the processing of familiar words. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: We examined 10-month-old infants' ERP word familiarity response using audio-visual stories, in which a speaker addressed infants with direct or averted gaze while speaking. Ten-month-old infants can segment and recognise familiar words from audio-visual speech, indicated by their negative-going ERP response to familiar, relative to novel, words. This negative-going ERP word familiarity effect was present for isolated words over left-frontal electrodes regardless of whether the speaker offered eye contact while speaking. An additional positivity in response to familiar words was observed for direct gaze only, over right fronto-central and central electrodes.

An Analysis of Varied Speech Errors in a Diverse Speech Community

Speech error is a language phenomenon that is prevailing during oral conversations. It is one of the interesting studies in the field of linguistics as it delves into why speakers tend to commit such errors – linguistically, phonologically, or semantically. For many linguists, they term it “slips of the tongue” during spoken communication. The said speech errors can also be defined as speech utterances that deviate from the speaker’s intention over production. In other words, speech errors reveal a mismatch between what the speakers intends to say and what they actually says. It has the relationship of language with the human mind and a pattern or procedure in language transformation

Structural Equation Model-Based Selection and Strength Co-Relation of Variables for Work Performance Efficiency Under Traffic Noise Exposure

In this work, we integrated exploratory factor analysis (EFA) followed by structural equation modelling (SEM) to assess the work performance efficiency under the traffic noise environment for open shutter shopkeepers in the Indian urban context. 706 valid questionnaire responses by personal interviews in local language were collected from open shutter shopkeepers exposed to noise level (Leq) of 77 dBA for 12 to 14 hours daily. The questionnaire was prepared based on demographics, environmental conditions, and primary effects of noise pollution. Among which four common latent factors which summaries 17 questionnaire response items were obtained by exploratory factor analysis, which are “Impacts of noise” (IM), “Environmental conditions” (EC), “Personal characteristics” (PC) and “Work efficiency” (WE). The associations between the individual latent factors were studied by the structural equation model method in AMOS software. Validation of the constructed model was carried out by testing the proposed hypothesis as well as goodness-of-fit indices like Absolute fit, Incremental fit, and Parsimonious fit indices. The effect of specific latent factors derived on the work efficiency of shopkeepers in the noisy area was characterized by the path coefficients estimated in the SEM model. It was found that work performance efficiency (WE) was greatly influenced by the primary impacts of noise pollution like annoyance, stress, interference in spoken communication, which was associated with the latent factor “Impacts of noise” (IM) with a path coefficient of 0.931. The second latent factor “Environmental conditions” (EC), which was associated with parameters like ambient temperature and humidity, showed less path coefficient of 0.153. And lastly, a latent factor called “Personal characteristics” (PC) associated with age, experience, education, showed the least path coefficient of 0.05. The work efficiency of open shutter shopkeepers working in a highly noisy commercial area is profoundly affected by the prominent effects of noise pollution and least affected by ambient environmental conditions as well as their personal characteristics. The developed model clarified some casual relationships among complex systems in the study of noise exposure on individuals n tier 2 cities in the Indian context and may help other researchers to study of tier I and tier III cities.

A comparative analysis of Indian sign language recognition using deep learning models

Sign language is a form of communication where people use bodily gestures, particularly those of hands and arms. This method of communication is put into motion when spoken communication is unattainable or disfavored. There are very few people who can translate sign language and readily understand them. It would be convenient for the hearing-impaired to have a platform where their sign language could be translated easily. Hence, through this study, with the help of artificial neural networks, we wish to compare how various widely implemented deep learning architectures respond to faultless translation of Indian sign language for the native audience. This research would streamline the development of software tools that can accurately predict or translate ISL. For the purpose of understanding the method of training the machine and exploring our model’s performance without any optimizations, a Convolutional Neural Network architecture was implemented. Over the course of our research, there have been several Pre-trained Transfer Learning Models implemented that have yielded promising results. The research aims to contrast how various convolutional neural networks perform while translating Indian Sign Actions on a custom dataset that factors in illumination, angles, and different backgrounds to provide a balanced and distinctive set of images. The goal of this study is to make clear comparisons between the various deep learning frameworks. Hence, a fresh Indian sign language dataset is introduced. Since every dataset in the field of deep learning has special properties that may be utilized for the betterment of the existing models, the development of a fresh dataset could be viewed as a development in the field. The optimum model for our task: classification of these gestures is found to be ResNet-50 (Accuracy = 98.25% and F1-score = 99.34%), and the least favorable was InceptionNet V3 (Accuracy = 66.75%, and F1-score = 70.89%).

EFL Teachers' and Students' Attitudes and Practices Regarding Oral Communication in English Classes: Ethiopian High School Context

This study looked at the attitudes of Ethiopian English teachers and Bonga Mehal Ketema High School grade 10 students about spoken communication in the classroom. The purpose of this study was to determine why oral communication is such an important part of English teaching, what role teachers and students play in making orally active students in the English classroom. Four English teachers were purposively interviewed, and 95 pupils in the tenth grade completed a questionnaire. The findings show that the majority of teachers and students believe that oral communication is an important aspect of the English education process. It is primarily due to the fact that being able to express yourself vocally in English in today's world is extremely important. The findings also reveal that teachers believe assessing students' oral competence is difficult since it is not as concrete as other abilities assessed in the English foreign language course. The challenge of convincing timid or unmotivated students to engage orally, as well as a lack of time, make assessing students a challenging undertaking. Thus, EFL teachers should establish a welcoming environment in the classroom to help students enhance their speaking skills.

Another’s voice

This study examines the interactional functions of an evidential marker -tay in the Korean language. Despite the frequent use of -tay in everyday interactions, the role of this marker in spoken communication has not been sufficiently explored, compared to other Korean quotative expressions. By analysing telephone conversations, this study shows that -tay conveys not only another’s utterances but also indicates interaction-oriented functions in various contexts: as a marker of presenting evidence, detailing context in telling a story and introducing a new topic. In addition, this paper will discuss how speakers use this marker to facilitate interaction with hearers by incorporating multiple voices into spoken discourse and creating new meanings, including the “voice” of a third party and also speakers’ own “metamessages”.

Improving Readability for Automatic Speech Recognition Transcription

Modern Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) systems can achieve high performance in terms of recognition accuracy. However, a perfectly accurate transcript still can be challenging to read due to grammatical errors, disfluency, and other noises common in spoken communication. These readable issues introduced by speakers and ASR systems will impair the performance of downstream tasks and the understanding of human readers. In this work, we present a task called ASR post-processing for readability (APR) and formulate it as a sequence-to-sequence text generation problem. The APR task aims to transform the noisy ASR output into a readable text for humans and downstream tasks while maintaining the semantic meaning of speakers. We further study the APR task from the benchmark dataset, evaluation metrics, and baseline models: First, to address the lack of task-specific data, we propose a method to construct a dataset for the APR task by using the data collected for grammatical error correction. Second, we utilize metrics adapted or borrowed from similar tasks to evaluate model performance on the APR task. Lastly, we use several typical or adapted pre-trained models as the baseline models for the APR task. Furthermore, we fine-tune the baseline models on the constructed dataset and compare their performance with a traditional pipeline method in terms of proposed evaluation metrics. Experimental results show that all the fine-tuned baseline models perform better than the traditional pipeline method, and our adapted RoBERTa model outperforms the pipeline method by 4.95 and 6.63 BLEU points on two test sets, respectively. The human evaluation and case study further reveal the ability of the proposed model to improve the readability of ASR transcripts.

Between alpha and gamma oscillations: Neural signatures of linguistic predictions and listener's attention to speaker's communication intention

When listeners hear a message produced by their interlocutor, they can predict upcoming words thanks to the sentential context and their attention can be focused on the speaker's communication intention. In two electroencephalographical (EEG) studies, we investigated the oscillatory correlates of prediction in spoken-language comprehension and how they are modulated by the listener’s attention. Sentential contexts which were strongly predictive of a particular word were ended by a possessive adjective either matching the gender of the predicted word or not. Alpha, beta and gamma oscillations were studied as they were considered to play a crucial role in the predictive process. While evidence of word prediction was related to alpha fluctuations when listeners focused their attention on sentence meaning, changes in high-gamma oscillations were triggered by word prediction when listeners focused their attention on the speaker's communication intention. Independently of the endogenous attention to a level of linguistic information, the oscillatory correlates of word predictions in language comprehension were sensitive to the prosodic emphasis produced by the speaker at a late stage. These findings thus bear major implications for understanding the neural mechanisms that support predictive processing in spoken-language comprehension.

Insertion Function in Code-Mixing Use on WhatsApp Group Chats Among University Students

Code-mixing is viewed as using two or more languages in daily interaction. Code-mixing is highly intriguing to investigate as it has become an unquestionable option for particular speech communities worldwide. However, an analysis of insertion in code-mixing phenomenon on WhatsApp Group Chat of university students has not been supported by current empirical studies. The evidence indicates that the insertion of code-mixing usage is a great tactic to show the speaker's communication strategy, intimacy, and limited linguistic competence. This study aimed to analyze the types, functions, and values of insertion in code-mixing use on WhatsApp Group Chat among university students. This study used the descriptive-qualitative method. Twenty-two students of two WhatsApp Group Chats were chosen as respondents in this study. Moreover, the researchers used documentation, interviews, and field observations to obtain data from respondents. The findings demonstrate that insertion functions in code-mixing use on WhatsApp Group Chats are solidarity, intimacy, interjection, a limited vocabulary, clarification, and group identity expressions.

Oromotor skills in autism spectrum disorder: A scoping review.

Oromotor functioning plays a foundational role in spoken communication and feeding, two areas of significant difficulty for many autistic individuals. However, despite years of research and established differences in gross and fine motor skills in this population, there is currently no clear consensus regarding the presence or nature of oral motor control deficits in autistic individuals. In this scoping review, we summarize research published between 1994 and 2022 to answer the following research questions: (1) What methods have been used to investigate oromotor functioning in autistic individuals? (2) Which oromotor behaviors have been investigated in this population? and (3) What conclusions can be drawn regarding oromotor skills in this population? Seven online databases were searched resulting in 107 studies meeting our inclusion criteria. Included studies varied widely in sample characteristics, behaviors analyzed, and research methodology. The large majority (81%) of included studies report a significant oromotor abnormality related to speech production, nonspeech oromotor skills, or feeding within a sample of autistic individuals based on age norms or in comparison to a control group. We examine these findings to identify trends, address methodological aspects hindering cross-study synthesis and generalization, and provide suggestions for future research.

Regionalized models for Spanish language variations based on Twitter.

Spanish is one of the most spoken languages in the world. Its proliferation comes with variations in written and spoken communication among different regions. Understanding language variations can help improve model performances on regional tasks, such as those involving figurative language and local context information. This manuscript presents and describes a set of regionalized resources for the Spanish language built on 4-year Twitter public messages geotagged in 26 Spanish-speaking countries. We introduce word embeddings based on FastText, language models based on BERT, and per-region sample corpora. We also provide a broad comparison among regions covering lexical and semantical similarities and examples of using regional resources on message classification tasks.

Enhancing Oral Communication through Live Streaming: Exploring Opportunities and Challenges

This study evaluates live streaming's effects on spoken conversations. After discussing voice communication's relevance in numerous situations, live streaming is studied. Study live broadcasting's impact on spoken communication. This research evaluates live-streamed spoken communication. Surveys, interviews, and relevant literature accomplished this. Livestream viewers and participants were assessed about spoken communication interest and usage. The research indicated live streaming enhances speech. Engagement, responsiveness, and dispersion increased. Global citizens can speak. Technology, privacy, and nonverbal communication are issues. These are concerns. Livestreaming spoken dialogue was advised. Streaming media is trustworthy and straightforward. Interactivity, standards, and communication best practices are covered here. Researching certain places and demographics may help explain live streaming's influence on speech. This research reveals how live broadcasting influences speech. Livestreaming's benefits and downsides. Live broadcasting helps businesses and people. Understanding this new media may boost communication skills and help organizations meet their communication goals. This approach benefits both.

EFFECTIVE STRATEGIES FOR ENHANCING ORAL PROFICIENCY IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE EDUCATION THROUGH INNOVATIVE APPROACHES AND INTERACTIVE MATERIALS

In our increasingly interconnected world, proficiency in English has become a vital skill for individuals seeking to engage in global communication, education, and business. One of the critical aspects of language proficiency is the ability to express oneself effectively through spoken communication. In the context of English language education, enhancing oral proficiency is a central goal. This essay explores the effective strategies for achieving this objective through innovative approaches and interactive materials. The main methods used in this research include scientific analysis and synthesis, description, discussion, and lesson modeling. The research results encompass the enhancement of the professional competence of future English language teachers and practical experience in the use of innovative approaches and interactive materials in English language teaching, leading to the improvement of the educational process in pre-service training. Conclusions drawn from the research demonstrate how the application of research materials contributed to the development of the professional expertise of future English language teachers.The research materials are original and were obtained during the professional training of future English language teachers in September-December 2022.

“Sorry, I Can’t Speak”: English Teachers’ Challenges of Teaching EFL Speaking in an Indonesian Vocational High School Sector

Teaching speaking in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) classes at Indonesian vocational high schools has not been extensively studied from teachers’ perspectives. This paper reports on findings from interview data from four EFL teachers in an Indonesian vocational high school regarding the challenges they encounter on teaching EFL speaking and how they deal with these in the classroom. A case study design which enables researchers to explore a particular issue within a specific context deeply was used. The participating teachers in this study were voluntarily recruited for in-depth interviews. The data were analyzed with thematic analysis to capture emerging themes from the participants’ own words. The results of this study suggested that the participants experienced a number of challenging issues in teaching speaking to their students. They perceived that students’ lack of vocabulary and poor pronunciation were the major problems they encountered while teaching speaking in class. Furthermore, psychological factors such as a lack of confidence and low motivation were also factors hindering communicative speaking activities during class. Based on the findings, policymakers should reframe the current curriculum for speaking classes in the Indonesian vocational high schools.

Manfaat Studi Biblika Kontekstual Dalam Kehidupan Iman Kristiani Di Era Distruptive

The distruptive era is a dil process where a product or service initially targets the bottom of the market (lower segments, bottom, low-end) and then moves to the top of the market (premium market) after it has finally eliminated the incumbents bailiff. The continued progress of human civilization and the increasing science brought man to the development t of the age even in specialized theological studies the biblika’s change ever took place. Our current big problem with studying the bible is that we think studying the bible should be so much easier than anything else that we think it is the only subject we don’t need to study. In this narrative the writer employed a qualitative method with studies of literature that utilize exixting resources such as books, and a trusted jurnal. Generally hermeneutic is the theoretical and methodological process of understanding the Max found in the signs and symbols used in both written and spoken communication. In doing a biblika study an interpreter will not be complete nudged until he moves from text to context (distruptiv). After the author elaborates hermeneutic contextually then the author arrived at the two benefits of Christian ethics vakni and contextual theology hermenenutic

Students’ Perception Towards English Day Program in Speaking Skill Development

The English Day Program (EDP) is one of the strategies used by schools to achieve communicative speaking activities in the classroom or in the school as a whole. This study aims to determine whether the English Day program can develop students' English-speaking skills. This study uses a survey as a research method by using a questionnaire as an instrument. A questionnaire was distributed to a total of 30 students who were selected using a sampling technique. This research was conducted at SMAN 2 Jombang which is a favorite school that has an English Day program in it. The results of the study found that: 10 positive statement items indicating the total column of the Agree section which shows the number 125 and the Strongly Agree column which shows the number 57, 2 items show the total column of the Agree section which shows the number 27 and the Strongly Agree column which shows the number 23, and it can be concluded that students' perception towards English Day program in students' speaking skill development is positive perception.

Using Business English as a Lingua Franca for Written and Spoken Communication: Challenges Encountered by Thai Human Resources Professionals in An American Multinational Company

Unquestionably, English is a medium for international communication, particularly in multinational companies (MNCs). In this regard, professionals who work in MNCs, including human resources (HR), inevitably encounter challenges in using English in the workplace environment where people are from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds. This study attempts to examine how Thai HR professionals perceived the role of business English as the lingua franca (BELF) and how they faced the challenges in using English for workplace communication. This survey study employed a mixed-methods approach for data collection. A questionnaire survey and semi-structured interview were developed to collect the data. Thirty-nine Thai HR professionals at an American oil and gas subsidiary in the Bangkok metropolitan area were purposively selected. Data collected from both instruments were analysed using descriptive statistics and content analysis, respectively. Our data analysis demonstrates that most of the respondents had a positive attitude about using BELF in their organisation. However, it was necessary for them to be aware of their interactants’ diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds and to effectively use BELF and avoid serious mistakes in their written and spoken communication. In summary, this study reveals that the Thai HR professionals understood the BELF concept and faced more difficulties in spoken communication tasks (e.g., press briefings and business negotiations) in comparison to written tasks. The findings can be beneficial for educators and HR trainers in terms of awareness of intercultural business communication and guidance for developing BELF-oriented courses for university students, graduates and HR professionals. Keywords: Business English as a lingua franca; spoken communication; written communication; communication challenges; Thai HR professionals