Speech Science Forum -- Maxwell Hope //CANCELLED//

Due to unforeseen circumstances, this talk has been cancelled. We will inform you if the talk is postponed.

Synthetic voices used by Speech-Generating Device (SGD) users are predominantly shaped by binary gender norms, limiting the representation of gender expansive (e.g. transgender or nonbinary) individuals. This talk begins by exploring the current landscape of gender in voice and gender expansive vocal characteristics, revealing how existing models of text-to-speech systems, trained on cisgender male and female speech, fail to authentically represent gender expansive identities. I will then present a case study of a nonbinary SGD user who used three synthetic voices constructed from gender expansive speakers over the course of a week, documenting their experiences in daily journal entries. Finally, I’ll examine the impact of inclusive voice design and community-informed research on identity affirmation and communication efficacy, drawing from the case study’s findings. These insights underscore the critical need for gender expansive synthetic voices that prioritize both gender affirmation and expressiveness, with far-reaching implications for voice modification, voice therapy, and speech technology.

This talk will take place online: https://ucl.zoom.us/j/92052680901