Automatic Diagnosis of Distortion Type of Arabic /r/ Phoneme Using Feed Forward Neural Network

The paper is not for recognizing normal formed speech but for distorted speech via examining the ability of feed forward Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) to recognize speech flaws. In this paper we take the Arabic /r/ phoneme distortion that is somewhat common among native speakers as a case study.To do this, r-Distype program is developed as a script written using Praat speech processing software tool. r-Distype program automatically develops a feed forward ANN that tests the spoken word (which includes /r/ phoneme) to detect any possible type of distortion. Multiple feed forward ANNs of different architectures have been developed and their achievements reported. Training data and testing data of the developed ANNs are sets of spoken Arabic words that contain /r/ phoneme in different positions so they cover all distortion types of Arabic /r/ phoneme. These sets of words were produced by different genders and different ages.The results obtained from developed ANNs were used to draw a conclusion about automating the detection of pronunciation problems in general.Such computerised system would be a good tool for diagnosing speech flaws and gives a great help in speech therapy. Also, the idea itself may open a new research subarea of speech recognition that is automatic speech therapy. Keywords: Distortion, Arabic /r/ phoneme, articulation disorders, Artificial Neural Network, Praa

The Definition of Intelligent Computer Aided Software Engineering (I-CASE) Tools

The growing complexity of the software systems being developed and the use of different methodologies indicate the need for more computer support for automating software development process and evolution activity. Currently, Computer-Aided Software Engineering (CASE), which is a set of software systems aimed to support set of software process activities, does this automation. While CASE tools prove its importance to develop high quality software, unfortunately CASE tools doesn’t cover all software development activities. This is because some activities need intellectual human skills, which are not currently available as computer software. To solve this shortcoming, Artificial Intelligence (AI) approaches are the ones that can be used to develop software tools imitating these intellectual skills. This paper presents the definition of Intelligent Computer Aided Software Engineering (I-CASE). The definition encompasses two steps. The first step is a clear decomposition of each basic software development activity to sub activities, and classify each one of them whether it is an intellectual or procedural job. The second step is the addressing of each intellectual (un-automated) one to proper AI-based approach. These tools may be integrated into a package as an Integrated Development Environment (IDE) or could be used individually. The discussion and the next implementation step are reported. Keywords: Software Engineering, CASE tools, Artificial Intelligenc