Language UX in interaction with voice assistants and chatbots 3201-LST-LSC-UX
The aim of this course is to introduce basic and more in-depth
(depending on group’s background and needs) knowledge on
Language and Speech Technologies as part of Natural Language
Processing. Such technologies are present in many common
appliances and devices (e.g. smartphones, TV, digital appliances)
used by a majority of people in the world . Attendees will find out
how specific modules in various speech & text language interfaces
work and how they, as linguists, can contribute to developing
software for Speech Technologies.
Students will learn about culture- and language-based product and
market choices made during voice interfaces development. They
will be introduced to the impact of vertical and horizontal language
variation (standard, dialects, vernacular, multilinguality) on
development and product decisions.
We will also discuss the topic of Accessibility in human-device
interaction for users with vision or hearing impairments and how
one can secure inclusive user interaction available to all diverse
groups of customers.
An important part of this course is also learning how to identify and
develop linguistic and computational skills that can lead to
participating in state of the art projects in contemporary language
AI development, including Large Language Models training and
evaluation.
The students will receive a well-balanced mix of theoretical
background and practical knowledge based on hands-on
experience of the lecturer as a linguist, project coordinator and
product manager in Speech & LanguageTechnologies in Research
& Development area of one of the largest global technology
companies.
At the end of this course it will not be a mystery anymore how
“talking to a phone” in Voice Assistants and other Voice Interfaces
actually works.
The course will be conducted using accessible language and
information-sharing that does not require prior knowledge of the
domain, but also with many opportunities to expand knowledge if a
student already has prior theoretical or practical experience with
the subject.
Students will have a chance to develop unique skills combining
sociolinguistics, computational linguistics, user- and
product-oriented approach. Through open discussions, group tasks
and ideas exchange, they will be able to peek into the world of
language AI and the role they can play in contributing to it.
Here are a few examples of workshop-type learning included in this
course:
● Group tasks: product- and user-oriented solution seeking
for speech technology linguistic issues,
● Interactive brainstorming to gather and categorize ideas,
● Testing voice interaction on devices (smartphones) to work
out problem solutions and improvement ideas.
Student’s contribution to the course:
● 30h - participation in classes
● 15h - readings and source analysis, individual and group
assignments
Course coordinators
Type of course
Mode
Learning outcomes
Knowledge
K2_W02 in-depth, biological, cultural and communicative-social
aspects of language use
K2_W04 in-depth, fundamental problems of language use as an
interlingual and intercultural phenomenon
K2_W08 in-depth, the role of language in communication between
people and cultures, and linguistic phenomena in a broader
cognitive, communicative and social context
K2_W05 in-depth, the main directions of development and
contemporary research trends in linguistics (theoretical,
computational, cognitive, corpus, social/text linguistics) and knows
where the most important linguistic research centers in Europe and
the world are located
Skills
K2_U01 use in-depth theoretical and practical knowledge to carry
out research work and solve complex problems in linguistics
(theoretical, computational, cognitive, corpus, social/text linguistics)
using appropriate methodology
K2_U03 use advanced research tools of linguistics (theoretical,
computational, cognitive, corpus-based) and select research
methods appropriately to the problems undertaken
K2_U04 use in-depth knowledge of linguistics (theoretical,
computational, cognitive, corpus-based, social/text linguistics)
through the selection and appropriate application of modern
information and communication technology (including statistical,
corpus, eye-tracking and EEG analysis software) when working
with research data
K2_U08 communicate in an understandable way, including with
non-specialists, on topics related to linguistics (theoretical,
computational, cognitive, corpus, social/text linguistics) and
adequately justify the decisions made and language strategies
used
K2_U11 lead the work of a team in a linguistics project using
advanced research methods and new technologies
K2_U12 independently acquire knowledge in the field of linguistics
(theoretical, computational, cognitive, corpus, social/text linguistics)
and evaluate the usefulness of the learned methods, practices and
procedures in their own professional activity
Social competences
K2_K02 recognize the importance of linguistic knowledge in solving
cognitive and practical problems and to consult with experts
K2_K03 adequately identify and resolve problems of interlingual,
intercultural and social communication
K2_K05 think and act in an entrepreneurial manner within the
framework of ongoing linguistic projects, as well as individual
activity in the domestic and international markets
K2_K06 perform the profession of a language, cultural, educational
mediator in accordance with the principles of professional ethics
K2_K08 perform the professional role of a linguist responsibly and
with an entrepreneurial spirit, taking into account changing social
and market needs
Assessment criteria
Attendance, active participation and group oral exam
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: