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New technology enables people without a voice to speak Welsh

01 Nov 2024 2 minute read
Image: Matthew Horwood

Welsh speakers at risk of losing their voice due to medical reasons such as Motor Neurone Disease or throat cancer can now continue to communicate in Welsh, thanks to a technological innovation.

The Lleisiwr programme, which was financed by the Welsh Government through the Welsh language technology action Plan, allows people to bank their voice and creates a personal synthetic voice for them.

One user, Mrs Roberts said: “Lleisiwr has been an asset to me as it means I can continue to communicate using a synthetic voice that sounds like me.”

Pride

The Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Welsh Language, Mark Drakeford, said: “Losing your voice is a devastating experience for people, and technological advances can help them to communicate again during this vulnerable time.

“Previously, voice banking was only available in English. I’m proud to support a project that enables people to continue to communicate with their friends and family in their own language.”

Lleisiwr was developed by Canolfan Bedwyr in Bangor University, and Head of the Language Technologies Unit, Gruffudd Prys, said: “It’s so important for these voices to be bilingual because we tend to switch back and forth between our languages throughout the day.

“I strongly believe you shouldn’t need to change your software every time you want to change your language.

“We want the standard of voice recordings to be the best it possibly can and are therefore very keen for patients to get in touch with us as soon as possible so we can develop the service. If a family member or friend of yours would benefit, do let them know.”

Strategy

Welsh language technology is a key element of the Welsh Government’s Welsh language strategy, Cymraeg 2050: A million Welsh speakers.

As part of this work, grants are allocated towards innovative projects which aim to increase people’s daily use of the language and to promote technology which supports the use of Welsh.


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Robert Thomas
Robert Thomas
27 days ago

Cant a mil o ddiolch Mark Drakeford!

Jack
Jack
27 days ago

Could it also speak English so making it more inclusive.

Valleys Lad
Valleys Lad
27 days ago
Reply to  Jack

I’m afraid it has to speak them both one after the other, it takes twice as long, but that’s what we expect here in Wales 🙂

cory melon
cory melon
24 days ago

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