JP6841309B2 - Electronics and programs - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to electronic devices and programs, and particularly to electronic devices and programs for assisting in learning pronunciation of a foreign language in a conversational manner.

Conventionally, various learning support devices have been developed to support the improvement of a user's foreign language ability and pronunciation. For example, in Patent Document 1, a Japanese question sentence is displayed and output as a voice, the user utters and records the answer in English, and then the English sentence prepared as a correct answer sentence is output as a native voice. A learning support device, etc. are described. At that time, the user thinks about the answer and pronounces it, thereby improving the foreign language ability and the pronunciation practice effect.

In addition, various learning support devices have been developed to support the user to learn the pronunciation of a foreign language in a conversational format (also referred to as skit conversation or the like). For example, Patent Document 2 is configured so that a text and a voice in a conversation are associated with each other so that the voice of a designated speaker can be reproduced without sound so that conversation in a foreign language can be practiced. The audio display output control device and the like are described.

When a foreign language is played in the user's conversation part, the user just imitates the played foreign language, and the pronunciation of the foreign language and the practice of conversation are often not effective. In the above-mentioned voice display output control device or the like, by configuring so that the voice of the foreign language is not reproduced in the conversation part of the user, the user can pronounce while thinking, and the practice effect of the pronunciation of the foreign language and the conversation. It becomes possible to raise.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 10-228230 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2004-205782

However, in the device or the like described in Patent Document 1 above, since the user only translates the Japanese problem sentence into English and pronounces it, it is difficult to improve the ability of conversation exchanged in a foreign language, and conversation. There is also the problem that it is difficult to practice conversation in a foreign language because there is no catch ball.

Further, in the device or the like described in Patent Document 2 above, although it is possible to practice conversation in a foreign language, the user's pronunciation is not recorded, so the user re-listens whether or not he / she has pronounced correctly. I can't check it or compare my pronunciation with the native pronunciation. Therefore, there is a risk that the pronunciation and conversation practice effect of foreign languages will not be improved so much.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and when practicing conversation in a foreign language, the voice of one's own utterance is recorded, and the recorded one's own pronunciation is re-listened to the native pronunciation. It is an object of the present invention to provide electronic devices and programs that can be easily compared and heard.

In order to solve the above problems, the electronic device of the present invention is used in learning for a conversation in which a plurality of speakers including a first speaker and a second speaker alternately speak, and the first speaker speaks. The first reproduction control means for reproducing the voice data of the first language corresponding to the portion according to the progress of the conversation, and the voice in the first language uttered by the user corresponding to the spoken portion of the second speaker. A recording control means that records audio data in accordance with the progress of the conversation reproduced by the first reproduction control means, and a second reproduction control means that reproduces the user's audio data recorded by the recording control means. When displaying the text corresponding to the spoken part of the first speaker, either the texts of both the first language and the second language are displayed, or the texts of both the first language and the second language are not displayed. The first judgment means for determining whether to display based on the level selected corresponding to the user, and the first language when displaying the text corresponding to the spoken portion of the second speaker. Whether to display both texts in the second language or to hide the texts in the first language and display the texts in the second language is determined based on the level selected for the user. The second judgment means, the text of the first language or the second language corresponding to the spoken portion of the first speaker, and the text of the second language, depending on the judgment results of the first judgment means and the second judgment means. A display control means that controls to display the text of the first language or the second language corresponding to the spoken portion of the second speaker according to the progress of the conversation reproduced by the first reproduction control means. It is characterized by having.

According to the present invention, when practicing conversation in a foreign language, it is possible to easily record a voice uttered by oneself and re-listen to one's own pronunciation or compare it with a native pronunciation. Therefore, it is possible to accurately improve the pronunciation and conversation practice effect of foreign languages.

It is a top view which shows the overview of an electronic device. It is a figure which shows another configuration example of an electronic device. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of an electronic device. It is a figure which shows the structure of the text and voice data in the conversation practice DB stored in the storage part. It is a flowchart explaining each process performed by the control part of an electronic device. It is a flowchart explaining each process performed in a play mode. It is a flowchart explaining each process performed in a recording mode. (A) to (D) are diagrams showing display contents and the like on a display. (A) to (D) are diagrams showing display contents and the like on a display. It is a figure which shows the display content and the like on the display when STEP2 (A) and (B) are selected. It is a figure which shows the display content and the like on the display when STEP3 (A) and (B) are selected. It is a flowchart explaining the modification of each process performed by the control part of an electronic device.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the electronic device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following, a case where the electronic device is a handy integrated electronic device as shown in FIG. 1 will be described, but the scope of the invention is not limited to the illustrated examples. It is also possible to configure the electronic device according to the present invention shown in FIG. 1 to have other functions such as an electronic dictionary.

Further, in the present invention, for example, as shown in FIG. 2, a terminal 102 such as a personal digital assistant or a smartphone and a main computer 101 are connected by a line or a wireless tower, and a user is allowed to operate the terminal 102, and the main computer 101 is operated accordingly. It is also applicable to display text on the terminal 102 or to play or record audio on the terminal 102 by performing various processes in the main computer 101 and transmitting necessary data or the like from the main computer 101 to the terminal 102. Will be done. In this case, the main computer 101 corresponds to the electronic device according to the present invention.

Further, the case where the first language described later is a foreign language (particularly English) and the second language is Japanese will be described below, but the present invention is not limited to this case, for example, the Chinese is French. When learning pronunciation, the first language is French and the second language is Chinese. As described above, the combination of the first language and the second language is appropriately determined according to which country's user learns which foreign language. Further, for example, it is possible to configure the combination so that the combination of the first language and the second language can be switched by the operation of the user.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an electronic device according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the electronic device 1 includes a display 2, an input key group 3, a microphone 4, a speaker 5, and the like.

The display 2 is a portion that displays various data such as texts, characters, and codes according to the operation of the input key group 2 by the user in black and white or color, and is composed of a liquid crystal display (Liquid Crystal Display) or the like. Further, the display 2 can be formed integrally with the so-called touch panel, and when formed integrally with the touch panel, it becomes possible to accept operations such as handwriting input.

The input key group 3 has various keys for receiving an operation for operating the electronic device 1 from the user. Specifically, the input key group 2 has a character key 3a, a decision key 3b, a cursor key 3c, and the like. The character key 3a is a key used for inputting a character by a user, and includes "A" to "Z" keys in the present embodiment. The decision key 3b is a key for instructing a decision at the time of selection processing or the like performed by the user. The cursor key 3c is a key used for moving the cursor position in the screen of the display 2, and in the present embodiment, the up, down, left, and right directions can be specified.

The microphone 4 is a device for recording a voice uttered by a user, and a speaker 5 is a device for reproducing and uttering voice data described later or one's own voice recorded by the user.

[Internal configuration]
Next, the internal structure of the electronic device 1 will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the electronic device 1. As shown in FIG. 3, the electronic device 1 includes an input / output control unit 11, a display unit 12, a key input unit 13, a voice input unit 14, a voice output unit 15, a control unit 20, a storage unit 30, and a RAM (Random Access Memory). ) 40 and the like are connected to each other.

As shown in FIG. 2, when the main computer 101 and the terminal 102 are configured, the configuration of the main computer 101 and the terminal 102 is divided by the broken line portion in FIG. An antenna, an input / output interface, etc. (not shown) are provided in the control unit 20 on the main computer 101 side and the input / output control unit 11 on the terminal 102 side, respectively, and data or the like can be obtained directly between them or via a base station or the like. It is configured to be exchanged.

The display unit 12 includes the display 2 described above, and the key input unit 13 includes the input key group 3 described above. Further, the voice input unit 14 includes the microphone 4 described above, and the voice output unit 15 includes the speaker 5 described above.

When the user performs an operation of the input key group 3 and inputs from the key input unit 13, the input / output control unit 11 displays the content represented by the operated key on the display 2 via the display unit 12. Alternatively, the instruction content of the operated key is transmitted to the control unit 20. Further, when the recorded data such as the user's voice recorded by the microphone 4 is sent from the voice input unit 14, the input / output control unit 11 transmits it to the control unit 20.

Further, when the text data is sent from the control unit 20, the input / output control unit 11 displays it on the display 2 via the display unit 12, or when the voice data is sent from the control unit 20. , The voice output unit 15 reproduces it and causes the speaker 5 to make a voice. It is also possible to configure the control unit 20 to function as the input / output control unit 11 without separating the input / output control unit 11 and the control unit 20.

The storage unit 30 stores control programs, various data, and the like for realizing various functions of the electronic device 1. In the present embodiment, the storage unit 30 has a storage area 31 for storing a control program and a program according to the present invention described later, and a storage area 32 for storing a conversation practice database (DB) in which text, voice data, and the like are stored. , A storage area 33 or the like for storing data (described as "A / B selection data" in FIG. 3) required when speaker A is designated or speaker B is designated, which will be described later. It has.

The RAM 40 is a memory that functions as a work area of the control unit 20, and is a storage area 41 that temporarily stores display data such as text to be displayed on the display 2, and a recording that is read from a conversation practice database and played back by the speaker 5. It has a storage area 42 or the like for temporarily storing data.

The control unit 20 is formed by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and is connected to a storage unit 30, a RAM 40, and the like. Then, the control unit 20 executes processing based on a predetermined program in response to an instruction input from the input / output control unit 11, issues an instruction to each function unit, transfers data, and the like, and controls the electronic device 1. It is designed to be controlled in a targeted manner.

Specifically, in the control unit 20, the key input unit 13 and the operation signal input by the user operating the input key group 3 and the operation signal input by the user touching the touch panel of the display 2 are used. When the input / output control unit 11 transmits to the input / output control unit 11 and the operation signals and the like are input from the input / output control unit 11, various programs stored in the storage unit 30 are stored in response to the input operation signals and the like. Read and execute the process according to the program. Further, when the recorded data in which the user's voice or the like is recorded by the microphone 4 is sent via the voice input unit 14 or the input / output control unit 11, the control unit 20 stores the recorded data in the RAM 40.

Then, the control unit 20 temporarily stores the processing result in the RAM 40, sends the processing result to the input / output control unit 11, sends the processing result to the display unit 12, displays it on the display 2, or causes the audio output unit 15 to display the processing result. It is sent and played back on the speaker 5. When instructed to reproduce the voice data or the recorded data, the voice data is read from the conversation practice DB of the storage unit 30, the recorded data stored in the RAM 40 is read and sent to the input / output control unit 11, and the voice is output. Processing such as sending the data to the unit 15 and playing the data on the speaker 5 is performed.

[About the structure of the conversation practice DB in the memory section]
In the electronic device 1 according to the present invention, as will be described later, of the two speakers who alternately speak and have a conversation in a foreign language, the user designates one speaker and becomes the speaker. While looking at the foreign language text displayed on the display 2, or without displaying the foreign language text, have a simulated conversation with the native speaker who is the other speaker. Then, the user practices pronunciation and conversation in a foreign language by recording the voice that the user utters by himself / herself in the conversation part of one of the designated speakers, and by re-listening to his / her own pronunciation or comparing it with the native pronunciation. Is supposed to do. In addition, the method of designation may not specify the speaker on the recording side, but may specify the speaker on the non-recording side.

At that time, as will be described in detail later, in the present embodiment, the text of a foreign language (first language) and its meaning are shown on the display 2 in the conversation part of one speaker and the conversation part of the other speaker. Japanese (second language) text may or may not be displayed. Therefore, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the conversation practice DB stored in the storage unit 30 contains a foreign language text (for each conversation portion in which the two speakers A and B alternately talk). The first language text), the Japanese text (second language text), and the native foreign language voice data corresponding to the foreign language text are stored for each conversation part.

In FIG. 4 and the following description, the case where the number of speakers is two (A, B) will be described, but the number of speakers may be three or more. In that case, although not shown, the conversation practice DB stored in the storage unit 30 contains a foreign language text (text of the first language) and a foreign language text (text of the first language) for each conversation portion in which a plurality of speakers talk to each other. Japanese text (second language text) and native foreign language voice data corresponding to the foreign language text are stored respectively. Further, even when there are three or more speakers, the explanation will be the same as the following explanation.

[motion]
Next, the operation of the electronic device 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts and the like shown in FIGS. 5 to 7. In addition, the operation of the electronic device 1 according to the present embodiment will also be described. Since the operation of the electronic device 1 described below is performed according to the program according to the present invention described above, the following description is also a description of the program according to the present invention.

When the electronic device 1 is formed as a dedicated device for learning a conversation in a foreign language of the present invention, when the power of the electronic device 1 is turned on by the user, the control unit 20 of the electronic device 1 automatically performs the conversation learning. Start with. Further, when the electronic device 1 has another function such as an electronic dictionary, when the power of the electronic device 1 is turned on by the user and conversation learning in a foreign language is selected, the control unit 20 performs conversation learning. To start. Each specific process performed by the control unit 20 is shown in the flowchart of FIG.

When the conversation learning of a foreign language is started, the control unit 20 displays a selection screen as shown in FIG. 8A on the display 2 and causes the user to select a STEP corresponding to the level of the foreign language ability (step S1). ). At that time, the same applies to the following selection screen, but the user presses the character keys 3a (see FIG. 1) corresponding to A, B, ..., Etc. described on the left side of each item on the selection screen. Alternatively, the item (in the case of FIG. 8A, any STEP) can be selected by touching the item to be selected with the touch pen 102a (see FIG. 2).

Here, when STEP0 (A: Let's shadow ink) is selected, the speaker selection (step S3) described later is not performed, and each conversation part of each speaker is different from the foreign language text shown in FIG. The Japanese text indicating the meaning is read out and displayed on the display 2, and the native foreign language voice data corresponding to the foreign language text is reproduced and uttered from the speaker 5. The user learns conversation by pronouncing himself / herself in accordance with this utterance.

Then, when the conversation in the foreign language is completed, the conversation learning ends. At this time, it is also possible to configure the process to return to the process (step S1) in which the user selects STEP. Hereinafter, a case where any one of STEPs 1 to 3 is selected will be described.

When any one of STEPs 1 to 3 is selected by the user on the selection screen shown in FIG. 8A, the control unit 20 of the electronic device 1 (step S1) is subsequently displayed on the display 2 (B). The selection screen shown in (1) is displayed to select the content, that is, the scene of the conversation (step S2). Then, when the content is selected by the user, the control unit 20 subsequently displays the selection screen shown in FIG. 8C on the display 2, and a plurality of speakers (in this case, speakers A and B). ) Is selected and specified (step S3).

Here, the case where the speaker A is a foreigner whose mother tongue is a foreign language (English in the present embodiment) and the speaker B is a Japanese who learns a foreign language is shown. Then, in the following, a case where the user specifies speaker B and learns conversation and pronunciation by impersonating a Japanese who learns a foreign language will be described, but the user does not necessarily specify speaker B who is Japanese. It is not necessary, and speaker A, who is a foreigner, may be selected.

When a speaker is designated by the user, the control unit 20 displays the title of the selected content or the like on the display 2 as shown in FIG. 8D, and the speaker A is displayed below the display 2. , B character is displayed. Further, below the display 2, when the enter key 3b (see FIG. 1) is pressed, conversation learning is started, and a display instructing the microphone 4 to speak at the designated speaker B's turn is displayed. ..

Then, when the decision key 3b is pressed by the user, the control unit 20 shifts to each process after step S4 in the flowchart of FIG. Specifically, the control unit 20 is the speaker (in this case, speaker A) who speaks first among the conversation parts of each speaker in this content from the conversation practice DB stored in the storage unit 30. The foreign language text, the Japanese text, and the foreign language voice data of the first conversation part are read out (step S4).

Then, the control unit 20 determines whether or not it is the user's turn (step S5), that is, whether or not it is the order of the conversation of the speaker B specified by the user, and if it is the user's turn (step S5; Yes). It shifts to the recording mode (step S6), and if it is not the user's turn (step S5; No), it shifts to the playback mode (step S7). In this way, the control unit 20 causes the voice data to be reproduced in the conversation part of the speaker A other than the speaker B specified by the user (playback mode), and the voice data in the conversation part of the designated speaker B. It is designed to record without playing back (recording mode).

In this case, the user has specified speaker B, and the first conversation part is the conversation part of speaker A, not in the order of the user (speaker B) (step S5; No), so the control unit. 20 shifts to the reproduction mode (step S7). Hereinafter, the reproduction mode (step S7) will be described.

In the present embodiment, when the STEP selected by the user in step S1 (see FIG. 5) is STEP1 or STEP2, the control unit 20 will be described with reference to the following figures (FIG. 9 (A) described later). ), Fig. 10 (A)), Foreign language text (text in the first language; English text in this embodiment) and text in the second language (Japanese text in this embodiment) in the conversation part of speaker A. ) Is displayed on the display 2 in a pattern that displays both of them.

Then, when the STEP selected by the user is STEP 3, it is assumed that the level of learning of the user has increased, and in order to further improve the conversation ability of the user, as shown in FIG. 11 (A), the speaker In the conversation part of A, neither foreign language text nor Japanese text is displayed on the display 2, but the part is displayed on the display 2 in a pattern that hides those parts by shading or the like, and the other party says only by voice. It is designed to understand that and to practice conversation with it.

Regardless of which STEP 2 or 3 is selected, whether the user can pronounce the foreign language correctly during the process of listening to the recording (step S11) or the process of listening to the model (step S12), which will be described later. Display a foreign language text so that you can judge whether or not.

Returning to the flowchart of FIG. 6, the reproduction mode will be described. First, it is determined whether or not the STEP selected by the user in step S1 (see FIG. 5) is STEP 3 (step S71).

Then, if it is not STEP3 (step S71; No), that is, if the STEPs selected by the user are STEP1 and STEP2, the control unit 20 selects a pattern for displaying the foreign language text in the conversation part of the speaker A. , As shown in FIGS. 9A and 10A, the foreign language text read from the conversation practice DB stored in the storage unit 30 in step S4 is displayed on the display 2. In addition, the Japanese text read at the same time is displayed below it (step S72).

And now, since it is the turn to show the conversation part of the speaker A, as shown in FIGS. 9 (A), 10 (A), and 11 (A), the voice of the above foreign language text is the speaker A. In order to indicate that the voice is being uttered by, the control unit 20 displays a display portion such as foreign language text as a balloon image from the character corresponding to the speaker A (step S73). Further, as shown in FIG. 9A and the like, the control unit 20 displays that the character corresponding to the speaker A is raising his / her hand, and indicates that the conversation part of the speaker A is being played. The character is displayed so as to be represented (step S73).

Further, as shown in FIG. 9A and the like, the control unit 20 displays, for example, “recorded voice is being reproduced” or the like below the display 2, or displays a state in which voice is being uttered from the electronic device 1. Then, an icon indicating that the sound is being played is displayed (step S73). Then, in this state, the control unit 20 reproduces the foreign language voice data of the conversation portion read from the conversation practice DB stored in the storage unit 30 in step S4 (step S74), and causes the speaker 5 to utter. It has become like.

In any of the following cases, the control unit 20 changes the position of the balloon of the balloon image to the position of the character corresponding to the speaker after the change every time the speaker changes. In addition, the character raising the hand is changed to the character corresponding to the speaker after the change.

This also applies when the recording described later is performed (see FIG. 9B described later), and the balloon image is generated from the character corresponding to the speaker (in this case, speaker B) in which the recording is performed. The display method is changed so that the character is displayed as if it is blown out, and the character corresponding to the speaker who is recording is displayed as if raising his / her hand. In this embodiment, the control unit 20 is configured to identify and display in which speaker order the playback or recording currently being performed is performed in this way.

Further, the same applies to the following description, but as a method of identifying and displaying in which speaker order the playback or recording is performed, as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, recording is performed. It is not limited to the method of displaying the character corresponding to the speaker who is playing the voice data or the voice data so as to raise his / her hand, and other than this, for example, it corresponds to the speaker who is recording or playing the voice data. It is also possible to make the character appear larger than the character corresponding to another non-conversing speaker, or to display it in a different color.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the control unit 20 displays the character corresponding to the speaker whose recording or voice data is being reproduced in a manner different from the display method in the non-conversation state. By displaying it on the top, it is possible to identify and display which speaker's turn it is.

On the other hand, when the control unit 20 determines in step S71 that it is STEP3 (step S71; Yes), the control unit 20 selects a pattern that does not display the foreign language and Japanese text of the current speaker A (FIG. 11 (A)). )reference).

Then, as shown in FIG. 11A, the control unit 20 prevents the foreign language text corresponding to the content spoken by the foreign speaker A, that is, the voice data of the foreign language being reproduced, from being displayed. Therefore, the part is displayed so as to be hidden by a mask display body such as shading. Further, as shown in FIG. 11A, the corresponding Japanese text is not displayed but is hidden by shading or the like (step S75).

Then, the control unit 20 changes the balloon position of the balloon image to the position of the character corresponding to the speaker A as described above, and displays the character so as to indicate that the conversation part of the speaker A is being played. (Step S73), the voice data of the foreign language of the conversation part is reproduced (step S74), and the voice is uttered from the speaker 5.

With this configuration, when the user selects STEP3, the foreign language text or the like is not displayed on the display 2, so that the user listens to the reproduced voice data and the content spoken by the speaker A (English). ) Will be required, and it will be possible to further improve foreign language conversation ability.

When the control unit 20 executes the playback mode (step S7 in FIG. 5) and ends as described above, the control unit 20 determines whether or not the selected content has the next conversation part (step S8). In this case, since there is a conversation part of the next speaker B (step S8; Yes), the control unit 20 returns to the process of step S4, and from the conversation practice DB stored in the storage unit 30, each of the contents in this content. Of each conversation part of the speaker, the foreign language text, the Japanese text, and the voice data of the foreign language of the conversation part of the speaker B who speaks next are read out (step S4).

Then, the control unit 20 shifts to the recording mode because it is the user's turn (step S5; Yes), that is, the next is the conversation order of the speaker B specified by the user (step S6). Then, as described above, the conversation portion of the speaker B designated by the user is recorded without reproducing the voice data. Hereinafter, the recording mode (step S6) will be described according to the flowchart of FIG. 7.

In the recording mode (step S6), when the STEP selected by the user is STEP 1, the control unit 20 describes the foreign language text that it utters on the display 2 and its meaning as shown in FIG. 9 (B). However, when the STEP selected by the user is STEP2 or STEP3, the foreign language text is displayed on the display 2 as shown in FIGS. 10 (B) and 11 (B). Instead, display the part so that it is hidden by shading.

At that time, if the Japanese text is also hidden by shading, it becomes difficult to know what kind of content should be answered to the speaker A. Therefore, in the present embodiment, FIG. 10 (B) and FIG. As shown in 11 (B), Japanese text is displayed. It is also possible to display Japanese text so that it is hidden by shading.

As described above, since the method of displaying the foreign language text changes depending on the STEP selected by the user, the control unit 20 first determines whether or not the STEP selected by the user is STEP 1 in the recording mode. (Step S61 in FIG. 7).

Then, if the selected STEP is STEP 1 (step S61; Yes), the control unit 20 selects a pattern for displaying both the foreign language text and the Japanese text as shown in FIG. 9 (B) (step S61; Yes). Step S62). If the selected STEP is STEP2 or STEP3 (step S61; No), the foreign language text is not displayed but hidden by shading as shown in FIGS. 10 (B) and 11 (B). Select a pattern (step S63).

And now, since it is the turn to show the conversation part of the speaker B, as shown in FIGS. 9 (B), 10 (B), and 11 (B), the above foreign language text is applied to the speaker B (that is, that is). In order to indicate that the user) utters, the control unit 20 displays a display portion such as a foreign language text as a balloon image from the character corresponding to the speaker B (step S64). Further, as shown in FIG. 9B and the like, the control unit 20 displays the character corresponding to the speaker B as if raising his / her hand, indicating that the conversation part of the speaker B is recorded. The character is displayed as shown in (step S73).

Further, as shown in FIG. 9B or the like, the control unit 20 displays, for example, “recording” or the like below the display 2 (step S64), and indicates that the voice uttered by the user is being recorded. Represent. Then, in this state, the control unit 20 starts a recording process of recording the voice uttered by the user with the microphone 4 (see FIG. 1) (step S65). Since the user is reading the description such as "Let's talk into the microphone at turn B" at the bottom of the title screen shown in FIG. 8 (D), when it is the turn of speaker B, Speak a foreign language into the microphone 4.

At the same time that the control unit 20 starts recording as described above, as shown in FIG. 9B and the like, an indicator indicating the recording time by a bar is displayed below the display 2 (step S66). Then, "0:00" is displayed on the left side of the indicator and "0:15" is displayed on the right side to inform the user that the preset recording time is 15 seconds.

At the same time, the bar starts to extend from the "0:00" side, that is, the left end side of the indicator at the same time as the recording starts, and when 15 seconds have passed from the start of recording, the "0:15" side, that is, the right end side of the indicator. Displays that the bar is extended so that the tip of the bar reaches the user, and informs the user of the elapsed time from the start of recording.

Then, when, for example, a preset recording time (for example, 15 seconds) has elapsed from the start of recording and the time is over (step S67; Yes), the control unit 20 records. The recorded voice is stored in the RAM 40 as the recording data (see FIG. 3) described above, and the recording mode (step S6) is terminated.

Further, the control unit 20 displays, for example, below the indicator that the determination key 3b (see FIG. 1) is pressed when recording is stopped. Then, if the user presses the enter key 3b to stop the recording before the preset recording time (for example, 15 seconds) elapses after the recording is started, the recording is started at that time. It is supposed to stop.

Then, even when the enter key 3b is pressed by the user during recording and the operation to stop the recording is performed in the control unit 20 (step S67; No, step S68; Yes), the user speaks. The recorded voice is stored in the RAM 40 as the above-mentioned recorded data (see FIG. 3), and the recording mode (step S6) is terminated.

If the recording is configured so that the recording does not end until the preset recording time has elapsed, if the user finishes uttering a foreign language in a time shorter than the preset recording time, there will be a silent time after the user utters. , The conversation may be unnatural, but as mentioned above, by configuring so that the recording can be stopped when the user finishes speaking, unnecessary silent time will not occur and the conversation will be done. It is possible to give the impression that you are doing this naturally.

When the recording mode is terminated in this way, the control unit 20 determines whether or not the selected content has the next conversation part (step S8 in FIG. 5), and the conversation part of the next speaker A is changed. If there is (step S8; Yes), each process is repeated from the process of step S4 in the same manner as above, and the playback mode (step S7) is selected in the conversation part of the speaker A, for example, in FIG. 9 (C). As shown, the conversation part of the speaker A is displayed and the voice data is reproduced.

On the other hand, when the control unit 20 finishes playing and recording all the conversation parts of the speakers A and B of the content selected by the user as described above (step S8; No), the control unit 20 finishes the conversation practice. , Display a menu for the user to review or the like (step S9). By selecting a desired item from this menu, the user can specify whether to play the recorded data or the model voice data. Then, when the user makes a designation, the control unit 90 performs processing according to the designation.

Specifically, when the conversation practice performed as described above is completed, the control unit 20 displays the title of the content on the display 2 and lowers the display 2 as shown in FIG. 9D. Display a menu for review etc. Specific menus include listening to the pronunciation of your own foreign language recorded by the user (see "Listen to the recording" in the figure) and listening to the native pronunciation (see "Listen to the model" in the figure). Or, display that recording is to be performed again (see "Recording again" in the figure).

Note that FIG. 9D shows a case where the user touches each item to specify the item. For example, A, B, ... Etc. are displayed on each item, and the A, B, ... Etc. are displayed. It is also possible to configure it so that it can be specified by pressing the corresponding character key 3a (see FIG. 1).

When it is specified to listen to the recording (step S11), the control unit 20 uses the foreign language texts of the speakers A and B and Japanese from the conversation practice DB stored in the storage unit 30 in the same manner as described above. The word text is read out, and as shown in FIGS. 9A to 9C, a foreign language text, a Japanese text, a balloon image, a character, an icon, or the like is displayed on the display 2. Then, in the conversation part of the speaker A, the voice data of the foreign language read from the conversation practice DB is reproduced, and in the conversation part of the speaker B, the recorded data of the user stored in the RAM 40 is read out and reproduced, and each speaker 5 Speak from (see Fig. 1).

In this way, by alternately playing back the voice data and the recorded data and uttering the voice, the user re-listens to his / her own pronunciation, and whether the pronunciation is correct or a conversation with the speaker A is established. It is possible to check whether or not it is.

Further, when it is specified to listen to the model (step S12), the control unit 20 uses the conversation practice DB stored in the storage unit 30 to read the foreign language texts of the speakers A and B in the same manner as described above. And the Japanese text and the voice data of the foreign language are read out, and as shown in FIGS. 9A to 9C, the speaker A, while displaying the foreign language text, the Japanese text, etc. on the display 2. Foreign language voice data is reproduced for both B and uttered from the speaker 5.

In this way, by playing back the voice data of the native foreign language and uttering it, the user can confirm the correct pronunciation, compare it with his / her own pronunciation, and correct the pronunciation accurately. It is possible to check how the pronunciation should have been made in order for the conversation with the person A to be established.

Further, when recording is specified again (step S13), the control unit 20 re-records the voice uttered by the user by re-doing each process after step S4. Then, when the user selects "End" from the menu shown on the screen in FIG. 9D, the control unit 20 ends the conversation learning (step S10; Yes).

[effect]
As described above, according to the electronic device 1 and the program according to the present embodiment, the conversation part of the speaker (speaker A) other than one speaker (speaker B in the above case) designated by the user When the user practices conversation in a foreign language, the voice data is played back, but the conversation part of the specified speaker (speaker B) is recorded without playing back the voice data. In addition, foreign languages are not played in my part.

Therefore, the user does not have to imitate the foreign language being played, and the user can think and talk by himself / herself, and the pronunciation of the foreign language of the user and the practice effect of the conversation are accurately improved. It becomes possible to make it.

In addition, after the user records his / her own utterance, he / she can re-listen to his / her own pronunciation and compare it with the native pronunciation, further improving the user's foreign language pronunciation and conversation practice effect. It becomes possible to make it.

[Modification 1]
In the above embodiment, the user is made to select a STEP corresponding to his / her foreign language ability level (see step S1 in FIG. 5). However, for example, the control unit 20 can be configured to automatically set STEP according to the number of conversation learning exercises. In this case, the control unit 20 is configured to perform each process according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 12 instead of the flowchart shown in FIG.

Specifically, in the flowchart of FIG. 5, the control unit 20 re-listens to the recording (step S11), listens to a model (step S12), or records again (step S13), and then the user views the control unit 20. When "End" was selected from the menu shown on the screen in 9 (D) (step S10; Yes), the conversation learning was configured to end immediately.

However, in this modification, the control unit 20 is configured to count the number of conversation learning exercises (that is, the number of times "finished" is selected in step S10 above). After performing the processes of steps S11 to 13 as described above (note that the illustration of each process of steps S11 to 13 is omitted in FIG. 12), when "end" is selected by the user (step S10; Yes), the control unit 20 increments the number of exercises by 1 (step S23), stores it in the memory, and then ends the conversation learning.

Then, when the foreign language conversation learning is started, the control unit 20 causes the user to select a STEP corresponding to the level of the foreign language ability in the flowchart of FIG. 5 (step S1), and then is a conversation scene. Although the content was selected (step S2), in this modified example, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 12, the user is allowed to select the content without selecting STEP, and then the content is saved in the memory (step S2). The above-mentioned number of exercises is read out (step S21), and the control unit 20 automatically sets a STEP corresponding to the level of foreign language ability according to the number of exercises (step S22).

After the control unit 20 automatically sets STEP (step S22), steps S3 to S9 (steps S71 to S74 in FIG. 6 and steps S61 to S68 in FIG. 7) described in the flowchart of FIG. 5 are included. ), And when "finish" is selected by the user (step S10; Yes), the control unit 20 again increments the number of exercises by 1 (step S23). ), End conversation learning.

As a method for the control unit 20 to set STEP according to the number of exercises, for example, STEP1 when the number of exercises is 0 to 9, STEP2 when the number of exercises is 10 to 19, and STEP3 when the number of exercises is 20 or more. However, the method is not limited to this method. It can also be configured so that the user can reset the number of exercises.

With this configuration, the number of exercises increases each time the user practices conversation learning, so the STEP that indicates the level of foreign language ability automatically increases as the user practices. Therefore, for users who are practicing and improving their foreign language ability but do not try to select a higher level, that is, a higher STEP, try to raise the STEP semi-forcedly to challenge a higher STEP. It becomes possible to improve the foreign language ability of the user.

[Modification 2]
Further, in the above embodiment, the case where the recording time during which the user can record his / her own utterance is set in advance to, for example, 15 seconds has been described, but for example, the number of exercises is counted as described above. However, it is also possible to configure the recording time to be shortened as the number of exercises increases.

With this configuration, as the number of exercises increases, the user is required to pronounce the foreign language faster, and as described above, the effect of the user's pronunciation of the foreign language and the practice effect of the conversation can be improved. At the same time, it becomes possible to pronounce a foreign language at a speed closer to that of a native speaker, and it becomes possible to further improve the foreign language ability of the user.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and the like, but includes the scope of the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.
The inventions described in the claims originally attached to the application of this application are added below. The claims in the appendix are as specified in the claims originally attached to the application for this application.
[Additional Notes]
<Claim 1>
A storage unit that stores conversation texts spoken by multiple speakers and voice data corresponding to the texts.
A speaker designation means for designating one of the plurality of speakers, and
In the conversation portion of either the one speaker designated by the speaker designation means and the other speaker other than the one speaker, the voice output unit reproduces the voice data stored in the storage unit. The voice uttered by the user input from the voice input unit without reproducing the voice in the conversation part of any one of the one speaker and the other speakers other than the one speaker. Playback recording control means that controls the recording of
As a designation means for designating whether to reproduce the recorded voice data or the voice data stored in the storage unit as a conversation part corresponding to the recorded voice data after the reproduction and recording are completed. ,
A reproduction means for reproducing audio data according to the designation in the audio output unit, and
An electronic device characterized by being equipped with.
<Claim 2>
If the user performs an operation to stop the recording after the start of the recording and before the preset recording time elapses, the reproduction / recording control means stops the recording at that time. The electronic device according to claim 1.
<Claim 3>
The text includes a text in a first language corresponding to the voice and a text in a second language indicating its meaning.
A display control means for controlling whether or not to display the text of the first language and the text of the second language on the display for the conversation part of each speaker according to the level selected by the user is provided. The electronic device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the electronic device is characterized by.
<Claim 4>
The storage unit is characterized in that the voice data, the text of the first language, and the text of the second language are stored for each of the conversation portions of the plurality of speakers. The electronic device according to claim 3.
<Claim 5>
Claims 1 to 4 include an identification display means for displaying a plurality of characters corresponding to a plurality of speakers during the reproduction and recording, and for identifying and displaying which speaker's turn. The electronic device according to any one of the above.
<Claim 6>
A counting means for counting the number of conversation learning exercises performed by the playing means by reproducing the voice according to the designation, and a counting means.
A level setting means that automatically sets the level according to the number of exercises counted by the counting means, and a level setting means.
The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the electronic device is provided with.
<Claim 7>
A computer equipped with a storage unit that stores conversation texts spoken by multiple speakers and voice data corresponding to the texts.
A speaker designation means for designating one of the plurality of speakers, and
In the conversation portion of either the one speaker designated by the speaker designation means and the other speaker other than the one speaker, the voice output unit reproduces the voice data stored in the storage unit. The voice uttered by the user input from the voice input unit without reproducing the voice in the conversation part of any one of the one speaker and the other speakers other than the one speaker. Playback recording control means that controls the recording of
As a designation means for designating whether to reproduce the recorded voice data or the voice data stored in the storage unit as a conversation part corresponding to the recorded voice data after the reproduction and recording are completed. ,
A reproduction means for reproducing audio data according to the designation in the audio output unit,
A program to function as.

1, 101 Electronic device 2 Display 14 Audio input unit 15 Audio output unit 20 Control unit (speaker designation means, playback / recording control means, designation means, playback means, display control means,
Identification display means, counting means, level setting means)
30 Memory A Speakers other than one speaker B One speaker STEP level

Claims (8)

In learning for conversations in which a plurality of speakers including the first speaker and the second speaker alternately speak, the progress of the conversation is performed by using the voice data of the first language corresponding to the uttered portion of the first speaker. The first playback control means that reproduces according to
A recording control means for recording the voice data of the voice in the first language uttered by the user corresponding to the utterance portion of the second speaker in accordance with the progress of the conversation reproduced by the first playback control means. ,
A second reproduction control means for reproducing the voice data of the user recorded by the recording control means, and
When displaying the text corresponding to the utterance portion of the first speaker, the texts of both the first language and the second language are displayed, or the texts of both the first language and the second language are not displayed. A first determination means for determining whether to display based on a level selected corresponding to the user, and
When displaying the text corresponding to the utterance portion of the second speaker, the text in both the first language and the second language is displayed, or the text in the first language is hidden and the second language is displayed. A second judgment means for judging whether to display the text of the above based on the level selected corresponding to the user, and
Depending on the determination results of the first determination means and the second determination means, the text of the first language or the second language corresponding to the utterance portion of the first speaker and the utterance portion of the second speaker. A display control means for controlling the display of the text in the first language or the second language corresponding to the above in accordance with the progress of the conversation reproduced by the first reproduction control means.
Electronic equipment equipped with. A storage unit that stores the text of the first language of a conversation spoken by a plurality of speakers alternately, the voice data of the first language corresponding to the text, and the text of the second language indicating the meaning of the text. When,
A selection means for selecting which of the plurality of speakers is to be the second speaker, and
The electronic device according to claim 1. The first reproduction control means controls so that the voice data of the first language corresponding to the utterance portion of the second speaker is not reproduced during the progress of the conversation.
The electronic device according to claim 2. After the end of the reproduction and recording in accordance with the progress of the conversation, the user's voice data recorded corresponding to the utterance portion of the second speaker and the memory corresponding to the utterance portion of the second speaker. It is provided with a designation means for designating which of the voice data of the first language stored in the unit is to be reproduced.
The second reproduction control means reproduces the user's voice data recorded by the recording control means or the voice data of the first language stored in the storage unit according to the designation of the designated means.
The electronic device according to claim 2 or 3. The level selected for the user is the level of the user's foreign language ability or the level of learning of the user .
The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 4. A counting means for counting the number of times of learning performed by the first reproduction control means by reproducing the voice data of the conversation, and
The learning level of the user is set according to the number of times of learning counted by the counting means.
The electronic device according to claim 5. The device is
In learning for conversations in which a plurality of speakers including the first speaker and the second speaker alternately speak, the progress of the conversation is performed by using the voice data of the first language corresponding to the uttered portion of the first speaker. The first playback control process that plays back according to
A recording control process for recording the voice data of the voice in the first language uttered by the user corresponding to the utterance portion of the second speaker in accordance with the progress of the conversation reproduced by the first playback control process. ,
A second playback control process for reproducing the user's voice data recorded by the recording control process, and
When displaying the text corresponding to the utterance portion of the first speaker, the texts of both the first language and the second language are displayed, or the texts of both the first language and the second language are not displayed. The first judgment process of determining whether to display based on the level selected corresponding to the user, and
When displaying the text corresponding to the utterance portion of the second speaker, the text in both the first language and the second language is displayed, or the text in the first language is hidden and the second language is displayed. The second judgment process of judging whether to display the text of the above based on the level selected corresponding to the user, and
Depending on the determination results of the first determination process and the second determination process, the text of the first language or the second language corresponding to the utterance portion of the first speaker and the utterance portion of the second speaker. A display control process for controlling the display of the text in the first language or the second language corresponding to the above in accordance with the progress of the conversation reproduced by the first reproduction control process.
Learning support method to carry out. On the computer
In learning for conversations in which a plurality of speakers including the first speaker and the second speaker alternately speak, the progress of the conversation is performed by using the voice data of the first language corresponding to the uttered portion of the first speaker. The first playback control process that plays back according to
A recording control process for recording the voice data of the voice in the first language uttered by the user corresponding to the utterance portion of the second speaker in accordance with the progress of the conversation reproduced by the first playback control process. ,
A second playback control process for reproducing the user's voice data recorded by the recording control process, and
When displaying the text corresponding to the utterance portion of the first speaker, the texts of both the first language and the second language are displayed, or the texts of both the first language and the second language are not displayed. The first judgment process of determining whether to display based on the level selected corresponding to the user, and
When displaying the text corresponding to the utterance portion of the second speaker, the text in both the first language and the second language is displayed, or the text in the first language is hidden and the second language is displayed. The second judgment process of judging whether to display the text of the above based on the level selected corresponding to the user, and
Depending on the determination results of the first determination process and the second determination process, the text of the first language or the second language corresponding to the utterance portion of the first speaker and the utterance portion of the second speaker. A display control process for controlling the display of the text in the first language or the second language corresponding to the above in accordance with the progress of the conversation reproduced by the first reproduction control process.
A program to execute.

Images