Phrase-level speech simulation with an airway modulation model of speech production

Artificial talkers and speech synthesis systems have long been used as a means of understanding both speech production and speech perception. The development of an airway modulation model is described that simulates the time-varying changes of the glottis and vocal tract, as well as acoustic wave propagation, during speech production. The result is a type of artificial talker that can be used to study various aspects of how sound is generated by humans and how that sound is perceived by a listener. The primary components of the model are introduced and simulation of words and phrases are demonstrated.

► An airway modulation model of speech production was developed for simulating speech. ► Model-based simulations are shown for two words and two phrases. ► Audio samples and animations of vocal tract movement are included for each simulation.