International study on multilingual soundscape descriptors led by UCL researchers

In a quest to standardise soundscape research across cultures, Dr Francesco Aletta of IEDE and a group of 57 coauthors published a pivotal study in Applied Acoustics, titled ‘Soundscape Descriptors in Eighteen Languages: Translation and Validation through Listening Experiments’.  

The research is part of the award-winning Soundscape Attributes Translation Project (SATP).  SATP is focused on standardising the terms used to describe perceptions of the acoustic environment for soundscape and noise pollution research across multiple languages – vital in ensuring consistent assessments of urban sound environments across languages, countries, and cultures. 

‘Soundscape Descriptors in Eighteen Languages: Translation and Validation through Listening Experiments’ translates and validates soundscape descriptors across 18 languages and uses structured listening experiments to ensure accuracy and reliability. This work paves the way for more inclusive and universally applicable soundscape research, bridging linguistic and cultural divides in environmental acoustics studies. 

“"This project represents the collaborative effort of over 60 researchers from 20 institutions worldwide, working together to ensure that our understanding and assessment of soundscapes can overcome linguistic and cultural barriers. This is a significant milestone in our path to improve urban sound environments, and I am incredibly grateful for the team's dedication and the international cooperation that made this achievement possible." – Francesco Aletta  

Links 

• Learn more about the work of Francesco Aletta – view Francesco's profile