JP2000162954A - Device for learning language and electronic apparatus provided therewith - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device for learning language and an electronic apparatus provided therewith permitting to speedily learn language in listening by simple operation. SOLUTION: Dictation of a sentence is to be started by fetching a speech signal for studying a sentence into a main memory 2 in clause units of the sentence by SW1, decomposing the sentence into the units, writing them in a sub-memory 3 by SW3, and converting the speech signal for studying the written sentence into speech by an output means 12. A word hard to catch is made easy to catch for a learner by selecting it by SW3, listening to it intermittently repeating at a cycle set by a timer 9, and emphasizing and amplifying it in a high frequency band through a signal processing means 4. The learner understands the meaning and contents of the clauses of the sentence by performing the above operations in a unit of each sentence.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a language learning apparatus, and more particularly, to a language learning apparatus for enhancing the ability to listen to a foreign language sentence spoken by voice and an electronic apparatus equipped with the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Listening in a foreign language has conventionally been performed using an information recording / reproducing apparatus such as a tape recorder or a disk. The most effective listening learning methods are, for example, Iam
When a sentence such as a boy is spoken, the words that can be heard are written on paper in word order.

For example, if only I and boy can be heard,
(1) Write (2) boy, then listen carefully to the parts (1) and (2) that could not be heard, I am able to hear I am (3) boy, and (3) Imagine what word should come in the part, judge it is not a, listen again and listen again, you can hear that it is saying a, and the whole sentence is Iam a boy Can be written down.

[0004] In the above, a very easy example was given.
In fluent English, as broadcast on N, listening is very difficult and requires training. In particular, the pronunciation of foreigners is very different compared to Japanese,
Even speaking with the same fluency, foreigners' English is difficult to understand. According to the above learning method, it is possible to clarify words that can be heard and words that cannot be heard, and once written down, using grammar and dictionaries can grasp the whole meaning and can not hear You can also predict what the words are.

[0005] Also, if you can not hear anyway,
By completing the writing of the sentence that the native speaker listens to and listening again, it can be understood that this word is heard in this sentence in this sentence, and the listening ability is dramatically improved.

[0006]

However, in order to carry out the above-mentioned language learning method, an information recording / reproducing device such as a tape recorder or a disc is frequently stopped in order to listen to words that cannot be heard again. There is a problem in that the user must frequently search the area where the word is recorded, which requires much time and effort.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and has as its object to provide a language learning apparatus capable of performing the above-described listening language learning with a simple operation, and an electronic apparatus including the same. I do.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, a language learning apparatus of the present invention and an electronic apparatus equipped with the same record a language learning voice signal in a storage device and reproduce a reproduced language. In a language learning apparatus that listens to and learns the meaning of sentences of a speech signal for learning, a main memory for storing a speech signal for language learning in units of clauses of the text to be learned, and a speech signal for language learning is input to the main memory. Input means, a sub-memory for storing a sentence-based language learning speech signal constituting a section of a sentence to be learned stored in the main storage memory, and a sentence-based language learning speech stored in the sub-storage memory A timer for setting a predetermined cycle for intermittently reading a signal from the secondary storage memory with a word-based language learning voice signal,
Signal processing means for changing the high-frequency emphasis degree and the amplification degree of the word learning language signal constituting the sentence-based language learning speech signal at least from the sentence-based language learning speech signal stored in the auxiliary storage memory Output means for converting the output of the signal processing means into sound, system control means for controlling the main storage memory, sub-storage memory, timer, signal processing means, and high-frequency emphasis of the signal processing means. First variable means for varying, a second variable means for varying the amplification degree of the signal processing means, a first switch for selecting a language learning audio signal of a section of a sentence to be learned, and storage in a main storage memory A second switch for selecting a sentence-based language learning speech signal constituting a sentence section to be learned from the learned sentence section language learning speech signals, and a sentence unit stored in the secondary storage memory Language learning speech signals , A third switch for selecting a language learning audio signal in word units, a first variable unit, a second variable unit, a first switch, a second switch, and a third switch. Interface means for connecting respective outputs from the switches to the system control means.

In a preferred embodiment of the language learning apparatus of the present invention and an electronic apparatus equipped with the same, the signal processing means, the system control means, and the interface means include C
It is composed of a PU, a memory, and software control means composed of a program.

The operation of the above means will be described below. The main storage memory fetches a sentence to be listened from another information recording / reproducing device in a unit of a section. This is because it is difficult to listen to a long sentence such as one hour to speak, so it is desirable to listen and understand in units of clauses.

Next, the unit of the sentence constituting the section of the sentence fetched into the main storage memory is written one by one to the secondary storage memory, and the words constituting the sentence stored in the secondary storage memory are written in the By using the switch of No. 3, a word that cannot be heard is selected, and the selected word is repeatedly written while listening repeatedly.

The signal processing means emphasizes or amplifies weak sounds such as consonants in a high frequency range so that the learner can easily hear the sounds. Further, the timer determines an intermittent predetermined period of repetition of the word which cannot be heard, and gives a learner a preparation period for nerve concentration for listening.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A language learning apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a schematic configuration of a language learning device 13 of the present invention. A learning audio signal from another information recording / reproducing device, for example, a tape recorder, a compact disk, a mini disk, or an audio broadcast receiver is input to the input means 1. The input means 1 is, for example, an analog-to-digital converter.

The digitized learning audio signal from the input means 1 is recorded in the main memory 2 when the first switch (hereinafter referred to as SW1) is closed by the learner. The main storage memory 2 is, for example, a semiconductor RAM having no movable parts. While the learner is closing SW1, the interface means 10 detects that SW1 is closed and notifies the system control means 11. The system control means 11
While W1 is closed, the learning voice signal from the input means 1 is fetched and recorded in the main storage memory 2.

As for the output sound of the learning audio signal, the sound generated from another information recording / reproducing apparatus which is generating the learning audio is transmitted to the learner's ear.
By operating the device 1, the learning voice signal up to the point of the passage of the sentence can be taken into the main memory 2. if,
When another information recording / reproducing device does not have an output device such as a speaker, the speaker 8 in FIG. 1 may be used.

When the SW1 is opened, the system control means 11 reads the learning speech signal of the sentence section recorded in the main memory 2 from the main memory 2. FIG.
Indicates a learning voice signal recorded in the main storage memory 2, and L1 to L4 are data of a learning voice signal for each sentence constituting a section of a text.

When the switch SW1 is opened, the system control means 11
As a result, the fourth switch (hereinafter referred to as SW4) is connected to the A side, and the data L1 to L4 of the learning audio signal of the sentence section recorded in the main memory 2 are sent to the signal processing means 4. At this time, L1 to L4 are read in the direction of addresses A1 to A4, and after reading the data of the last address A5 of L4, return to the first address A1 and repeat reading again from the data of L1.

The data L1 to L4 of the learning audio signal sent to the signal processing means 4 are subjected to high-frequency emphasis and amplification, which will be described in detail later, and then output as audio by the output means 12. The output means 12 may be composed of, for example, the digital-to-analog converter 5 and the speaker 8. Therefore, in this state, the learner can repeatedly listen to the data of the learning speech signal of the section of the sentence taken into the main storage memory 2 from L1 to L4.

Next, from among the data L1 to L4 of the learning speech signal of the sentence section, a sentence is selected in order from the sentence L1 by a second switch (hereinafter referred to as SW2). While the learner is closing the switch SW2, the interface means 10 detects this and transmits it to the system control means 11, and the system control means 11 transmits the learning speech signal of the selected sentence in the main memory 2. The data is read and written to the secondary storage memory 3. FIG. 2 shows a state in which the data L2 of the learning speech signal of the sentence in the main storage memory 2 has been read out and written in the storage areas of addresses B1 to B2.

When the learner opens SW2, SW4 is connected to the B side. As soon as SW2 is opened, the data L2 of the learning speech signal of the sentence written in the secondary storage memory 3 is read out from the secondary storage memory 3, and the signal processing means 4
, The high-frequency emphasis and amplification are performed, and the output unit 12 outputs a sound.

In the sub-memory 3, when the last data of the data L2 of the learning speech signal for each sentence is read out at the address B2, the address returns to the first B1, and the same operation is repeated. You can listen to the voice output of the same sentence over and over again.

In this state, the learner starts writing while listening to the voice output of the sentence. For example, when a sentence "I am a boy" corresponding to the data L2 of the learning speech signal is output, the learner who listens to the sentence hears I (1) a boy,
Assuming a case where the user does not know what the part (1) says, the learner selects the part (1) by a third switch (hereinafter referred to as SW3) while listening to the voice uttered from the output means 12. I do.

While the learner closes SW3, the interface means 10 detects this and transmits it to the system control means 11. The system control means 11 selects which address of the sentence learning voice signal data L2. Is determined. In this way, the address of the portion (1) described above is selected. _BX and _{BY in} FIG. 2 are the addresses selected in this way, and correspond to the data of the speech signal for learning of the words constituting the sentence, am. FIG. 3 shows this state.

[0024] B _X and B _Y is stored in the system control unit 11, SW3 is when it becomes open by the learner, the system control unit 11 from the address B _X secondary storage memory 3 of each word of the training speech signals Data reading is started, and data is read up to address _BY . The read audio signal for learning in word units is subjected to high-frequency emphasis and amplification by the signal processing unit 4, and is output as an audio output by the output unit 12.

However, even if short words such as am described above are repeatedly pronounced without a pause, the learner's ears will find it difficult to understand, so the timer 9 in FIG. A predetermined period is set so that am is pronounced. That is, the system control unit 11 after reading the data of the address B _Y, set predetermined time period by the timer 9, pause to return to the address B _X secondary storage memory 3. FIG. 4 shows this state.

The high-frequency emphasizing means 6 and the amplifying means 7 of the above-mentioned signal processing means 4 are variable means VR1 and VR2, respectively.
Thereby, the degree of high-frequency emphasis and the degree of amplification can be varied. The reason for the change is that it is very difficult to hear the consonant part in words containing consonants. Since consonants contain many high-frequency components, emphasizing them makes it easier for the learner to hear. In addition, even if a consonant is not included, a word having a weak ending or accent is generally difficult to be heard by a learner, so that it is necessary to amplify the sound output to increase the sound output.

As described above, the learner can listen to the word "am", and finally, the learner listens to the audio output of the learning audio signal of the sentence "Ia a boy" and completes it. Although the above example is a simple example, many words cannot be heard in a long sentence section that is fluently spoken. In this case, SW3 is further closed, and the above-mentioned operation is repeated one after another for words that could not be heard, and the parts that could not be heard were written and filled to complete the entire sentence. be able to.

In this manner, the data L1 to L4 of the learning speech signal of the sentence recorded in the main storage memory 2 are sequentially selected by the SW2 and written into the sub storage memory 3, and
A word which cannot be listened to is selected by W3, the writing of the sentence is completed while intermittently listening by the timer 9, and the whole sentence of the sentence can be written to understand the meaning of the sentence.

The above-mentioned words in parentheses that cannot be heard can be inferred from the preceding and following words in parentheses and the relationship between the preceding and following sentences and the preceding and following clauses. It is possible to listen to the words in parentheses with reference to. Furthermore, with the help of the native speaker, the learner can learn and recognize that words that cannot be heard by the learner can be heard in the sentence in this way, so that a high learning effect can be exhibited.

Next, the language learning device 13 of the present invention described above.
The details of the system control will be described with reference to FIGS. 5, 6, and 7. FIG. FIG. 5 summarizes the detailed flowchart of the control by the system control means 11 of the language learning apparatus 13 of the present invention shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. When the learner closes SW1 in ST1, the main memory 2 The data of the audio signal for learning is fetched. The learner selects the data of the learning audio signal corresponding to the passage of the sentence according to the closed period of SW1. This detailed operation corresponds to S1 to S3 in FIG.

In step ST2, the learner closes the switch SW2 and writes the section-based learning speech signal recorded in the main memory 2 into the sub-memory 3 in sentence units. The data of the speech signal for learning a sentence can be selected while the learner is closing SW2. This detailed operation corresponds to S4 to S7 in FIG.

In ST3, the learner selects a word which cannot be heard from the sentences recorded in the secondary storage memory 3 by SW3. As described above, the read start address _BX and the read end address _BY are stored by the system control means 11 for the address of the selected word. This detailed operation is shown in S8 to S12 of FIG.

In ST4, a predetermined period for intermittently reading the words recorded at the read start address B _X and the read end address _BY is set, and the read words are repeated at the predetermined period. This detailed operation is shown in S13 to S17 in FIG.

The system control means 1 shown in FIGS.
1 detailed operation flowchart, interface means 1
0 and the signal processing means 4 may be constituted by software control means comprising a CPU, a memory and a program.
This is a case in which claim 2 is embodied.

Although the language learning apparatus 13 of the present invention can be used alone, it may be incorporated in an electronic device for language learning, a tape recorder, or an electronic device for recording / reproducing a magneto-optical disk used in a language laboratory. . This is a case in which claim 3 is embodied.

The sections, sentences, and words of the sentence described above do not mean grammatically defined ones. SW1, SW2, SW
No. 3 is for the learner to select the closing period.
Depending on the timing of closing SW1, SW2, and SW3, words may be mixed with words, clauses with clauses, and sentences with sentences. However, for learners, this does not hinder learning.

[0037]

As described above, according to the language learning apparatus of the present invention and the electronic apparatus having the same, the learning voice signal is stored in the main memory in units of sentences by simple and quick operation. This section is decomposed in units of sentences and stored in the secondary storage memory, and further decomposed in units of words and read out from the secondary storage memory to amplify the speech signal for learning of each word or to emphasize high frequencies. You can listen while listening, write down the words you hear in order, listen again and repeat the words you did not hear, complete the sentence, and in this way the meaning of the sentences in the main memory Can be fully understood, and words to be heard can be predicted from the context and the context of words. With the help of native speakers, listening ability can be improved. Learning effect that can be done There is. Although the language learning apparatus of the present invention can be used alone, it can also be used by being built in an electronic device for training, and can be easily operated to improve the learning effect.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a schematic configuration of a language learning device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a data arrangement state of a learning audio signal recorded in a main storage memory and a sub storage memory according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an address of a word am selected by a learner of a sentence stored in a secondary storage memory.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining that a word am that a learner cannot hear is intermittently read out from a secondary storage memory at a predetermined cycle.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a control operation of a system control unit according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a partial flowchart showing a detailed operation of the system control means of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is another partial flowchart showing a detailed operation of the operation of the system control means of FIG. 5;

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Input means, 2 ... Main storage memory, 3 ... Sub storage memory,
4 ... Signal processing means, 5 ... Digital-to-analog converter, 6 ...
High-frequency emphasis means, 7 amplifying means, 8 speakers, 9 timer, 10 interface means, 11 system control means, 12 output means, 13 language learning device

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A language learning apparatus which records a language learning speech signal in a storage device and listens to and learns the meaning of the sentence of the reproduced language learning speech signal. A main storage memory for storing a language learning voice signal; input means for inputting a language learning voice signal to the main storage memory; and a sentence unit constituting a section of the text to be learned stored in the main storage memory. A sub-storage memory for storing a language learning audio signal; and a predetermined intermittently reading the sentence-based language learning audio signal stored in the sub-memory from the sub-storage memory as a word-based language learning audio signal. A timer for setting a period of the language learning speech signal stored in the sub-storage memory, and a language learning speech signal for each word constituting the language learning speech signal for at least the sentence. Signal processing means capable of changing the degree of region emphasis and amplification, output means for converting the output of the signal processing means into audio, the main storage memory, the sub storage memory, the timer, and the signal processing means A first control means for changing the degree of high-frequency emphasis of the signal processing means; a second change means for changing the amplification degree of the signal processing means; A first switch for selecting a clause language learning voice signal; and a sentence unit forming the learned sentence section from the language learning speech signal of the learned sentence section stored in the main memory. A second switch for selecting the language learning voice signal of the above, and a third switch for selecting the word learning language signal of the word unit from the sentence-based language learning voice signals stored in the secondary storage memory. Switches and Interface means for connecting respective outputs from the first variable means, the second variable means, the first switch, the second switch, and the third switch to the system control means A language learning device comprising: 2. The language according to claim 1, wherein said signal processing means, said system control means, and said interface means comprise a CPU, a memory, and a software control means comprising a program. Learning device. 3. An electronic apparatus comprising the language learning device according to claim 1.