8.1531, Jobs: Speech Synthesis, Interpersonal Communications

[The LINGUIST List]

LINGUIST List:  Vol-8-1531. Sun Oct 26 1997. ISSN: 1068-4875.

Subject: 8.1531, Jobs: Speech Synthesis, Interpersonal Communications

Moderators: Anthony Rodrigues Aristar: Texas A&M U. <aristar at linguistlist.org>
            Helen Dry: Eastern Michigan U. <hdry at linguistlist.org>
            T. Daniel Seely: Eastern Michigan U. <seely at linguistlist.org>

Review Editor:     Andrew Carnie <carnie at linguistlist.org>

Associate Editor: Ljuba Veselinova <ljuba at linguistlist.org>

Assistant Editors:  Martin Jacobsen <marty at linguistlist.org>
                    Brett Churchill <brett at linguistlist.org>
                    Anita Huang <anita at linguistlist.org>
                    Julie Wilson <julie at linguistlist.org>
                    Elaine Halleck <elaine at linguistlist.org>

Software development: John H. Remmers <remmers at emunix.emich.edu>
                      Zhiping Zheng <zzheng at online.emich.edu>

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Editor for this issue: Martin Jacobsen <marty at linguistlist.org>

=================================Directory=================================

1)
Date:  Sat, 25 Oct 1997 09:13:28 -0400 (EDT)
From:  Caroline Smith <cls25 at cornell.edu>
Subject:  Jobs in Speech Synthesis

2)
Date:  Sat, 25 Oct 1997 17:03:48 -0400
From:  Christian Kjaer Nelson <cnelson at comm.umass.edu>
Subject:  Interpersonal Communications at Purdue

-------------------------------- Message 1 -------------------------------

Date:  Sat, 25 Oct 1997 09:13:28 -0400 (EDT)
From:  Caroline Smith <cls25 at cornell.edu>
Subject:  Jobs in Speech Synthesis

                        POSITIONS IN
     MULTI-LANGUAGE AND MULTI-DIALECT SPEECH SYNTHESIS BY RULE

Eloquent Technology, Inc. anticipates having several positions
available in multi-language and multi-dialect text-to-speech
synthesis.  In particular, we seek linguists able to help in our
development of synthesis rules for the following languages:

      - BRAZILIAN PORTUGUESE
      - FRENCH (Parisian and Canadian)
      - GERMAN
      - ITALIAN
      - SPANISH (Mexican and Castilian)

We are looking for linguists at all levels of experience, with an
in-depth knowledge of the phonology/phonetics of at least one of the
above languages.  Computer programming experience and native or
near-native fluency in one or more of the languages are highly
desirable.  Candidates should have particular expertise in one of the
following areas:

       - analysis or modelling of intonation
       - text-to-phoneme conversion
       - formant synthesis
       - acoustic phonetics
       - signal processing

A bachelor's degree is essential, and higher degrees are required for
some positions.

Eloquent Technology, Inc. (ETI) is a small text-to-speech company in
Ithaca, New York, home of Cornell University and in the midst of the
beautiful Fingerlakes region.  ETI presently has fifteen employees,
including eight linguists and three computer scientists.  ETI's main
product is ETI-Eloquence, a text-to-speech program presently available
for General American English, with versions for Spanish, French,
German, Italian, and British English to be released this year.  A demo
version of ETI-Eloquence is available upon request.

ETI uses a linguistically oriented approach to text-to-speech
synthesis.  Our synthesis rule programs are developed with the Delta
System, a sophisticated software tool consisting of a special
programming language and interactive environment designed for
expressing phonological and phonetic rules that operate on
multi-tiered utterance representations called "deltas".  A delta
consists of user-defined "streams" (hence the name "delta") of
coordinated units, such as intonational phrases, syllables, words,
phonemes, acoustic parameter values, and durations.  From the final
delta for an utterance, parameter values are generated for a
formant-based speech synthesizer.  Delta provides sophisticated
formalisms for pattern-matching (testing) against multi-stream deltas
and manipulating them.  Acoustic values can be modified interactively,
and the effects of the modifications listened to.

The rules underlying ETI-Eloquence are based on a number of novel
phonological and phonetic models developed by Hertz and her
collaborators at both Cornell University and ETI.  Descriptions of
some of these models can be found in various publications that can be
mailed to you upon request.  See also ETI's web page at www.eloq.com.

If you are interested, please send a detailed resume and cover letter
by e-mail to:

		hertz at eloq.com

or send fax copies to:

		607-266-7030

There is no deadline for applications.  ETI will consider applicants
until all positions are filled.



Caroline Smith
Eloquent Technology, Inc.


-------------------------------- Message 2 -------------------------------

Date:  Sat, 25 Oct 1997 17:03:48 -0400
From:  Christian Kjaer Nelson <cnelson at comm.umass.edu>
Subject:  Interpersonal Communications at Purdue

PURDUE UNIVERSITY has an opening for a faculty position at the rank
of Assistant Professor (Ph.D. required), tenure track, salary
competitive.  Teaching at both undergraduate and graduate levels,
active research and/or creative programs, and direction of graduate
students expected.  Begin August 1998.

Position descriptions: Expertise in interpersonal communication with
opportunities to teach and do research in analysis of language,
conversation, and discourse in natural settings.

Send application materials (including curriculum vitae, three letters
of recommendation, and samples of research) to Chair, Search
Committee, Department of Communication, Purdue University, 1366
Liberal Arts and Education Building 2114, West Lafayette, IN
47907-1366.  Formal evaluation of candidates will begin on November
24, 1997, but applications will be accepted until the position is
filled.  Purdue University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action
employer.

Christian Nelson

Dr. Christian K. Nelson
Communication Department, Machmer Hall
Box 34815
University of Massachusetts
Amherst, MA 01003-4815 USA
413/545-6345
cnelson at comm.umass.edu

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