Automatic detection and correction of pronunciation errors for foreign language learners: the demosthenes application

This paper accounts for the DEMOSTHENES application, an interactive tool for the correction of foreign language learners' pronunciation. After giving the didactic and technical arguments advocating for DEMOSTHENES, the authors describe the phase of creation and labelling of a sound database for the application language (Dutch). The methodolgy for the training of the recognizer is then discussed, as well as the pronunciation scoring paradigm. To conclude, the final application is described, together with preliminary but promising results.