Welsh speakers at risk of losing their voice due to medical
reasons such as Motor Neurone Disease or throat cancer can now
continue to communicate in Welsh, thanks to a technological
innovation financed by the Welsh Government through the Welsh language technology
action Plan.
The Lleisiwr programme allows people to bank their voice and
creates a personal synthetic voice for them.
One user, Mrs Roberts said: "Lleisiwr has been an asset to me as
it means I can continue to communicate using a synthetic voice
that sounds like me."
The Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Welsh Language, , said:
"Losing your voice is a devastating experience for people, and
technological advances can help them to communicate again during
this vulnerable time.
“Previously, voice banking was only available in English. I'm
proud to support a project that enables people to continue to
communicate with their friends and family in their own language."
Lleisiwr was developed by Canolfan Bedwyr in Bangor University,
and Head of the Language Technologies Unit, Gruffudd Prys, said:
“It's so important for these voices to be bilingual because we
tend to switch back and forth between our languages throughout
the day. I strongly believe you shouldn't need to change your
software every time you want to change your language.
“We want the standard of voice recordings to be the best it
possibly can and are therefore very keen for patients to get in
touch with us as soon as possible so we can develop the service.
If a family member or friend of yours would benefit, do let them
know.”
Welsh language technology is a key element of the Welsh
Government's Welsh language strategy, Cymraeg 2050: A million
Welsh speakers. As part of this work, grants are allocated
towards innovative projects which aim to increase people's daily
use of the language and to promote technology which supports the
use of Welsh.
